The purpose of this amendment is to establish the criteria and application process to implement the Purple Star School District Program in accordance with section 1003.052, Florida Statutes, The Purple Star School District ....

 

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

State Board of Education

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

6A-1.0999Purple Star School of Distinction Designation

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of this amendment is to establish the criteria and application process to implement the Purple Star School District Program in accordance with section 1003.052, Florida Statutes, The Purple Star School District Program, created by HB 1285 (2024).

SUMMARY: The current rule outlines the criteria and application process for the Florida Purple Star School of Distinction Designation, which recognizes schools that provide exemplary support for the unique needs of military families and students. The Florida Purple Star School District Designation will be added for districts with a minimum of 75 percent of schools designated as a Purple Star School of Distinction, a district webpage devoted to resources for military families with a link to each Purple Star School of Distinction’s webpage, and a council consisting of school and district representatives to ensure alignment of military student-focused policies and procedures across the district.

SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION:

The Agency has determined that this will not have an adverse impact on small business or likely increase directly or indirectly regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within one year after the implementation of the rule. A SERC has not been prepared by the Agency.

The Agency has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification based on the statement of estimated regulatory costs or if no SERC is required, the information expressly relied upon and described herein: Based upon the nature of the changes, this proposed rule is not expected to have any adverse impact on economic growth, business competitiveness or any other factors listed in s. 120.541(2)(a), F.S., and will not require legislative ratification. No increase in regulatory cost are anticipated as a result of the rule changes.

Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 1001.01(1), (2)(n), 1003.051(4), 1003.052(2), F.S.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 1003.051, 1003.052, F.S.

A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:

DATE AND TIME: July 24, 2024, 9:00 a.m.

PLACE: Rosen Shingle Creek, 9939 Universal Blvd., Suwannee 18/19/20, Orlando, Florida 32819.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Cindy Huffman, Bureau of Family and Community Outreach, [e-mail]

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

6A-1.0999 Purple Star School of Distinction and Purple Star School District Designations.

(1) Purpose. The purpose of this rule is to establish the criteria and application process for Florida’s Purple Star School of Distinction Designation, which is awarded to schools that demonstrate a commitment to or provide critical transition supports for military-connected families, as provided in Section 1003.051, F.S., and Florida’s Purple Star School District Designation, which is awarded to school districts that demonstrate a commitment to or provide critical coordination of services for military students and their families, as provided in Section 1003.052, F.S.

(2) Definitions.

(a) through (c) No change.

(d) “Purple Star School District” means a district approved by the Department that meets the criteria established in Section 1003.052, F.S., and this rule.

(3) Schools must meet the following criteria in order to earn the designation as a Purple Star School of Distinction:

(a) through (b) No change.

(c) Transition Program. Each school must establish a student-led transition program that assists military students in transitioning into the school. The transition program must include:

1. No change.

2. A military peer-support system that links incoming military students with other military students at the school within the first two weeks of enrollment; and

3. No change.

(d) through (f) No change.

(4) Districts must meet the following criteria in order to earn the designation as a Purple Star School District:

(a) Council. Each district must establish a council that ensures the alignment of military student-focused policies and procedures within the district. The council must include:

1. A representative from each Purple Star School of Distinction within the district; and

2. A district-level representative.

(b) Webpage. Each district must establish and maintain a separate page on its website that is linked on the district’s homepage and includes, at a minimum, the following:

1. A link to each Purple Star School of Distinction’s webpage that meets the requirements under (3)(b)1.-8. of this rule;

2. Contact information for the district’s council representatives; and

3. Additional resources for military students and their families specific to their district.

(c) Each district must have a minimum of seventy-five (75) percent of the schools in their district maintain the Purple Star School of Distinction Designation.

(5) (4) Application and renewal.

(a) No change.

(b) Schools must maintain records demonstrating compliance with completion of the required items in subsection (3) of this rule and must provide those records to the Department of Education staff upon request.

(c) Once awarded, schools will maintain their designation as a Purple Star School of Distinction for three (3) school years. After three years, schools must reapply to maintain the Florida’s Purple Star School of Distinction Designation.

(d) Districts that meet the criteria for the Florida Purple Star School District Designation must report the information listed in subsection (4) of this rule to the Department of Education by completing the Purple Star School District Application form, PSDA-2, (DOS link) (effective August 2024) by September 30 of each school year. This form is incorporated by reference and may be obtained at https://www.fldoe.org/schools/family-community/activities-programs/parental-involvement/purple-star.stml.

(e) Districts must maintain records demonstrating compliance with the required items in subsection (4) of this rule and provide those records to the Department of Education staff upon request.

(f) Once awarded, districts will maintain their designation as a Purple Star School District for three (3) school years. After three years, districts must reapply to maintain the Florida Purple Star School District Designation.

Rulemaking Authority 1001.02(2)(n), 1003.051(4), 1003.052(2) FS. Law Implemented 1003.051, 1003.052 FS. History‒New 5-3-22, 8-22-23,

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Cindy Huffman, Bureau of Family and Community Outreach

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Manny Diaz Jr., Commissioner of Education

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: June 21, 2024

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: May 20, 2024