The purpose of this rulemaking is to address revisions made Section 1007.271, F.S. The effect is aligning to and eliminating duplication with statute. The term “District Interinstitutional Articulation Agreement” is changed to “Dual Enrollment ...

 

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

State Board of Education

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

6A-14.064College Credit Dual Enrollment

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of this rulemaking is to address revisions made Section 1007.271, F.S. The effect is aligning to and eliminating duplication with statute. The term “District Interinstitutional Articulation Agreement” is changed to “Dual Enrollment Articulation Agreement” and the term “postsecondary readiness assessment” is changed to “common placement test” to align with statutory terminology. Provisions relating to joint dual enrollment and Advanced Placement are eliminated, consistent with the repeal of Section 1007.272, Florida Statutes; a provision relating to the inclusion of dual enrollment course plans in the Electronic Personal Education Planner using FACTS.org is eliminated, consistent with the repeal of Section 1003.4133, Florida Statutes; and accountability and assessments standards for college credit dual enrollment are revised.

SUMMARY: This amendment updates the rule to align with statute. Section 1007.235, F.S., district interinstitutional articulation agreements, was repealed and similar provisions were added to Section 1007.271, F.S., dual enrollment programs, necessitating a revision to Rule 6A-14.064, F.A.C.

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: The proposed revisions are necessary to align with Florida Statutes. The proposed rule does not impose any requirement that would result in a regulatory cost or adverse economic impact.

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: 1001.02, 1007.271 FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 1007.271 FS.

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

DATE AND TIME: August 26, 2015, 9:00 a.m.

PLACE: Santa Fe College, Northwest Campus, Fine Arts Hall, 3000 NW 83rd Street, Gainesville, FL 32606

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Dr. Christopher Mullin, Division of Florida Colleges, Florida Department of Education, 325 West. Gaines Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399, [phone]

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

6A-14.064 College Credit Dual Enrollment.

(1) The Dual Enrollment Articulation Agreement, described in Section 1007.271(21), F.S., must include the topics in subsections (a) and (b).

(a)(1) In addition to the eligibility requirements of Section 1007.271, F.S., the following apply toward eligibility To be eligible to receive college credit through dual enrollment:

(a) Students must meet the grade point average (GPA) requirements, as specified in Section 1007.271, F.S., for the degree or certificate program selected. Procedures for determining exceptions to the GPA requirements on an individual student basis must be noted in the District Interinstitutional Articulation Agreement as required by Section 1007.235, F.S.

1.(b) Students must achieve the minimum score on a common placement test to demonstrate readiness to perform college-level coursework pursuant to satisfy the college preparatory testing requirements of Section 1008.30(4)(a), F.S. and Rule 6A-10.0315, F.A.C., which is hereby incorporated by reference. Students who have been identified as deficient in basic competencies in one of the areas of reading, writing or mathematics, as determined by scores on a common placement test postsecondary readiness assessment identified in Rule 6A-10.0315, F.A.C., shall not be permitted to enroll in college credit courses in curriculum areas precluded by the deficiency. Students may enroll in college credit courses that are not precluded by the deficiency; however, students may not earn more than twelve (12) college credit hours prior to the correction of all deficiencies. Exceptions to the twelve (12) college credit hour limitation may be granted by the postsecondary institution provided that the dual enrollment student is concurrently enrolled in a secondary course(s) in the basic competency area(s) for which they have been deemed deficient by the common placement test postsecondary readiness assessment. In addition, the secondary student who has accumulated twelve (12) college credit hours and has not yet demonstrated proficiency in the basic competency areas of reading, writing and mathematics must be advised in writing by the school district of the requirements for associate degree completion and state university admission, including information about future financial aid eligibility and the potential costs of accumulating excessive college credit, as outlined in Section 1009.286, F.S.

(c) For joint dual enrollment and Advanced Placement (AP) courses, as authorized in Section 1007.272, F.S., students must comply with the add/drop policies and deadlines of the postsecondary institution. A student who elects to enroll in an AP course that is jointly offered with a dual enrollment course may not earn postsecondary credit for that course through dual enrollment.

(d) In order to remain eligible for college credit coursework, students must maintain the high school grade point average required for initial eligibility unless otherwise noted in the District Interinstitutional Articulation Agreement.

2.(e) Participation of exceptional student education (ESE) students must be in accordance with statutory eligibility requirements and with the procedural guidelines and district-college responsibilities delineated in the District Interinstitutional Articulation Agreement.

3.(f) Districts and colleges may agree to extend dual enrollment participation in Student Life Skills (designated as SLS course prefix in the Statewide Course Numbering System) courses to students who do not meet the statutory eligibility requirements, if alternate eligibility requirements are delineated in the District Interinstitutional Articulation Agreement.

(g) In order to be considered a full-time dual enrollment early admission student, the student must enroll in a minimum of twelve (12) college credit hours but may not be required to enroll in more than fifteen (15) college credit hours.

4. Policies relating to dual enrollment course withdrawals and repeats are determined by the college.

(b) A formalized process between the high school counselor and the college for informing students and parents or guardians of college course-level expectations, including, but not limited to the following:

1. Any letter grade below a “C” will not count as credit toward satisfaction of the requirements in Rule 6A-10.030, F.A.C.; however, all grades are calculated in a student’s GPA and will appear on their high school and college transcripts.

2. All grades, including “W” for withdrawal, become a part of the student’s permanent college transcript and may affect subsequent postsecondary admission.

3. While appropriate for college-level study, course materials and class discussions may reflect topics not typically included in secondary courses which some parents may object to for minors. Courses will not be modified to accommodate variations in student age and/or maturity.

(2) The following requirements shall apply to faculty providing instruction in Ccollege credit dual enrollment courses: must adhere to faculty and curriculum requirements pursuant to Section 1007.271, F.S.

(a) All full-time or adjunct faculty teaching dual enrollment courses must meet Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges’ Principles of Accreditation: Foundations for Quality Enhancement, 2010 Edition, section 3.7.1, for postsecondary instructors in the course and discipline, which is hereby incorporated by reference. The document may be accessed at http://www.sacscoc.org/pdf/2010principlesofacreditation.pdf. These criteria apply to all faculty teaching postsecondary courses regardless of the physical location of the course being taught. The postsecondary institution awarding credit shall ensure faculty teaching dual enrollment courses meet these qualifications.

(b) Postsecondary transcripts of all full-time or adjunct faculty teaching dual enrollment courses must be filed with the postsecondary institution, regardless of who employs or pays the faculty member’s salary. For dual enrollment courses taught on high school campuses, the faculty transcripts must be submitted to the postsecondary institution for filing.

(c) The postsecondary institution shall provide all full-time and adjunct faculty teaching dual enrollment courses with a copy of the current faculty or adjunct faculty handbook. Faculty shall adhere to the professional guidelines, rules, and expectations therein. Any exceptions to such requirements must be noted in the District Interinstitutional Articulation Agreement.

(d) The postsecondary institution shall provide all full-time and adjunct faculty teaching dual enrollment courses with a current student handbook detailing information that includes, but is not limited to, add/drop and withdrawal policies, student code of conduct, grading policies, and critical dates. Faculty shall adhere to the guidelines, rules, and expectations therein that apply to faculty. Any exceptions to such requirements must be noted in the District Interinstitutional Articulation Agreement.

(e) The postsecondary institution shall provide all adjunct faculty teaching dual enrollment courses with a full-time faculty contact or liaison in the same discipline.

(f) All full-time and adjunct faculty teaching dual enrollment courses, regardless of location of instruction, shall be observed by a designee of the college president and evaluated based on the same criteria used for all other full-time or adjunct faculty delivering college courses at that institution.

(g) The postsecondary institution shall provide all full-time and adjunct faculty teaching dual enrollment courses with a copy of course plans and objectives for the college course they are teaching. In addition, faculty shall be provided with information on additional requirements related to Rule 6A-10.030, F.A.C., if applicable. All course objectives and identified competencies must be included in the course plan and covered per the syllabus during the term.

(h) All full-time and adjunct faculty teaching dual enrollment courses shall file a copy of their current course syllabus with the college’s discipline chair or department chair prior to the start of each term. Content of the syllabus must meet the same criteria as required for all college courses offered at that institution.

(3) The following curriculum standards for content, syllabi, exams, and grades shall apply to college credit dual enrollment:

(a) Dual enrollment courses taught on the high school campus must meet all competencies expected and outlined in the postsecondary course plan. To ensure equivalent rigor with on-campus courses, the institution granting postsecondary credit shall be responsible for providing a comprehensive, cumulative end-of-course assessment or a series of assessments of all expected learning outcomes in accordance with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges’ Principles of Accreditation: Foundations for Quality Enhancement, 2010 Edition, sections 2.7.4 and 3.5.1, which are hereby incorporated by reference. The document may be accessed at http://www.sacscoc.org/pdf/2010principlesofacreditation.pdf. Assessments shall be provided to the high school campus dual enrollment course instructor by the college in a timely manner to ensure availability prior to scheduled administration dates. Completed, scored exams will be returned to the postsecondary institution and held on file for a period of one (1) year.

(b) Textbooks and instructional materials used in dual enrollment courses must be the same or comparable with those used with other postsecondary courses at the postsecondary institution with the same course prefix and number. The postsecondary institution will advise the school district of instructional material requirements as soon as that information becomes available, but no later than one term prior to a course being offered.

(c) Course requirements such as tests, papers, or other assignments for dual enrollment students must be at the same level of rigor or depth as those for all non-dual enrollment postsecondary students. All full-time and adjunct faculty teaching dual enrollment courses must observe postsecondary institution procedures and deadlines for submission of grades in the appropriate format. All faculty will be advised of postsecondary institution-wide grading guidelines prior to teaching a dual enrollment course.

(d) Policies relating to dual enrollment course withdrawals and repeats shall be determined by the college and must be clearly delineated in the District Interinstitutional Articulation Agreement.

(4) The following environmental standards shall apply to college credit dual enrollment:

(a) Dual enrollment courses taught on a high school campus shall ensure minimal interruptions of instructional time. A student shall lose eligibility to participate in dual enrollment if the secondary institution where a course is being offered determines that a student is being disruptive to the learning process, such that the progress of other students and the efficient administration of the course are hindered.

(b) Dual enrollment courses may not be combined with other high school courses, except in accordance with Section 1007.272, F.S.

(c) A formalized process between the high school counselor and the college must be delineated in the District Interinstitutional Articulation Agreement for informing students and parents or guardians of college course-level expectations, including, but not limited to the following:

1. Any letter grade below a “C” will not count as credit toward satisfaction of the requirements in Rule 6A-10.030, F.A.C.; however, all grades are calculated in a student’s GPA and will appear on their college transcript.

2. All grades, including “W” for withdrawal, become a part of the student’s permanent college transcript and may affect subsequent postsecondary admission.

3. While appropriate for college-level study, course materials and class discussions may reflect topics not typically included in secondary courses which some parents may object to for minors. Courses will not be modified to accommodate variations in student age and/or maturity.

4. The selection of courses to meet degree requirements, including approved program common prerequisite courses, in order to minimize student and state costs for excess hours.

5. The inclusion of dual enrollment course plans in their Electronic Personal Educational Planner (ePEP) using the online student advising system known as Florida Academic Counseling and Tracking for Students at the Internet website FACTS.org, as required by Section 1003.413(3)(i), F.S., to minimize enrollment in a random selection of college courses.

(3)(5) The following accountability and assessment standards shall apply to college credit dual enrollment:

(a) Postsecondary institutions shall analyze student performance in dual enrollment to ensure that the level of preparation and future success is comparable with non-dual enrollment postsecondary students. Analyses and recommendations shall be shared and reviewed with the principal and local school district.

(b) High schools shall analyze course and instructor evaluations for dual enrollment courses on the high school campus. Analyses and recommendations shall be shared and reviewed by both the college and the high school.

(b)(c) Any course-, discipline-, college-, or system-wide assessments that a postsecondary institution requires in non-dual enrollment sections of a course shall also be used in all dual enrollment sections of the course.

(c)(d) Colleges shall compare student performance, to include final grade and exam, of dual enrollment course offerings on high school campuses and college campuses to ensure that results are comparable to non-dual enrollment sections. Results will be made available to the principal, local school district, the college president, and the Department of Education.

Rulemaking Authority 1001.02(2), (6), 1007.271(3), (9), 1008.38 FS. Law Implemented 1007.271 FS. History–New 6-22-10,______.

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Chris Mullin, Executive Vice Chancellor, Florida College System

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Pam Stewart, Commissioner, Department of Education

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: July 29, 2015

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: May 13, 2015