To incorporate new language related to the governing of credit for law enforcement training and incorporation of a law enforcement course equivalency list for use by Florida’s public postsecondary institutions to award credit ....

 

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

State Board of Education

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

6A-10.024Articulation Between and Among Universities, Florida Colleges, and School Districts

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: To incorporate new language related to the governing of credit for law enforcement training and incorporation of a law enforcement course equivalency list for use by Florida’s public postsecondary institutions to award credit or clock hours for courses taken by current and former law enforcement officers. Additionally, the rule amendment will update the Credit-by-Examination Equivalencies list and the Military Credit Equivalency List for the 2023-2024 academic year, both of which are incorporated by reference.

SUMMARY: Updates to rule language and lists will provide an updated credit-by-exam list for reference by school districts, colleges, and universities and provide for the uniform awarding of credit for law enforcement training and military experience.

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: 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 increases in regulatory costs are anticipated as a result of this rule. This is based upon the nature of the proposed rule.

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(1), (2)(n), 1004.096, 1004.0981, 1007.23(1), 1007.25, 1007.27, F.S.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 1001.64(8)(a), 1004.0981, 1004.096, 1007.01(2), 1007.23, 1007.25, 1007.27, F.S.

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

DATE AND TIME: August 23, 2023, 9:00 a.m.

PLACE: Collier County School Board Office, 5775 Osceola Trail, Naples, FL 34109.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Kathy Hebda, Chancellor, Division of Florida Colleges, [e-mail]

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

6A-10.024 Articulation Between and Among Universities, Florida Colleges, and School Districts.

It is the intent of the Board of Governors in regulation and the State Board of Education in rule to facilitate articulation and seamless integration of the education system by agreeing to the provisions of this articulation agreement, pursuant to Section 1007.23, F.S. The authority to adopt and amend this rule aligns with the Constitutional power given the Board of Governors for the state university system and the statutory authority given the State Board of Education for the district school boards, the Florida College System, and the Department of Education.

(1) through (6) No change.

(7) Applied Technology Diploma (A.T.D.). The A.T.D. consists of a course of study that is part of an associate in science (A.S.) or an associate in applied science degree (A.A.S.), is less than sixty (60) credit hours, is approximately fifty (50) percent of the technical component (non-general education), and leads to employment in a specific occupation. An A.T.D. program may consist of either clock hours or college credit.

(a) through (b) No change.

(c) All faculty providing instruction must have at least a baccalaureate degree or an associate degree with demonstrated competencies in the specific instructional program area as defined by the institutional accrediting agency or association that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

(d) through (f) No change.

(8) Credit by examination.

(a) For examination programs listed in Section 1007.27, F.S., a list of examinations, minimum scores for guaranteed transfer credit, maximum credits guaranteed to transfer, and recommended course equivalents shall be maintained by the Articulation Coordinating Committee and reviewed annually. The list is incorporated in the document Articulation Coordinating Committee Credit-by-Examination Equivalencies, Effective September 2023 2022, which is herein incorporated by reference and located at (http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-14689). The list may be requested from the Office of Articulation, Florida Department of Education, 325 West Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399.

(b) through (h) No change.

(9) through (14) No change.

(15) Credit for Military Experience.

(a) The Credit or Clock Hour for Military Experience Equivalency List (“Military Equivalency List”) contains a list of military courses, training, and occupations which have been evaluated to determine equivalency and alignment with courses taught in Florida’s public state universities, Florida College System institutions, and school district colleges and career centers. The Military Equivalency List, Effective September 2023 2022, is herein incorporated by reference and located at (http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-14690). The list may be requested from the Office of Articulation, Florida Department of Education, 325 West Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399.

(b) Where the student’s military course(s) or occupation(s) are not found on the Military Equivalency List, a public postsecondary college institution or district career center must evaluate the student’s experience using its policies and procedures for awarding military credit or clock hours. Such policies must include evaluation of military coursework to determine equivalency and alignment with postsecondary learning outcomes and course descriptions.

(c) Where the student’s military course(s) or occupation(s) are found on the Military Equivalency List, a public postsecondary college institution or district career center must award a student the minimum number of credit hours or equivalent clock hours listed in the fourth or fifth columns, respectively, as appropriate toward the applicable program of study when the student’s record demonstrates that the student:

1. eEarned the required passing score in a military course, or held the rank associated with the occupation, as found on the Equivalency List; and.

2. Demonstrates the required skills listed on the Equivalency List.

(d) No change.

(e) Florida course numbers on the Military Equivalency List correspond to postsecondary courses on the Statewide Course Numbering System, described in Section 1007.24, F.S., or in the Career Education Curriculum Frameworks, described in Rule 6A-6.0571, F.A.C.

(16) Credit for Law Enforcement Experience.

(a) The Credit or Clock Hour for Law Enforcement Experience Equivalency List (“Law Enforcement Equivalency List”) contains a list of law enforcement courses and trainings which have been evaluated to determine equivalency and alignment with courses taught in Florida’s public state universities, Florida College System institutions, and school district career centers. The Law Enforcement Equivalency List, Effective September 2023, is herein incorporated by reference and located at (DOS Link). The list may be requested from the Office of Articulation, Florida Department of Education, 325 West Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399.

(b) Where the student’s law enforcement course(s) or training(s) are not found on the Law Enforcement Equivalency List, a public postsecondary institution or district career center must evaluate the student’s experience using its policies and procedures for awarding law enforcement credit or clock hours. Such policies must include evaluation of law enforcement coursework to determine equivalency and alignment with postsecondary learning outcomes and course descriptions.

(c) Where the student’s law enforcement course(s) or occupation(s) are found on the Law Enforcement Equivalency List, a public postsecondary institution or district career center must award a student the minimum number of credit hours or equivalent clock hours listed in the Law Enforcement Equivalency List, as appropriate toward the applicable program of study when the student’s record demonstrates that the student successfully completed the law enforcement course or training.

(d) To determine the postsecondary courses for which to award credit for law enforcement course(s) or training(s), institutions must consider each student’s program of study and the institution’s course offerings within each discipline area. The Law Enforcement Equivalency List contains aligned courses to guide course selection. When credits or clock hours are awarded for law enforcement experience under paragraph (16)(b) or (c) of this rule, credit must be awarded in the following rank order:

1. First, general education courses;

2. Second, program-specific courses; and

3. Third, elective courses.

(e) Florida course numbers on the Law Enforcement Equivalency List correspond to postsecondary courses on the Statewide Course Numbering System, described in Section 1007.24, F.S., or in the Career Education Curriculum Frameworks, described in Rule 6A-6.0571, F.A.C.

(17) (16) Statewide Mathematics Pathways. To facilitate seamless transfer of credits, reduce excess credit hours, and ensure students take the courses needed for their future careers, students entering the Florida College System in the 2024-2025 academic year and thereafter shall be advised of the mathematics pathway that aligns to the mathematics skills needed for success in the corresponding academic programs aligned to their career goals. The Mathematics Pathways List contains the three mathematics pathways and associated gateway courses. Florida College System institutions shall align associate and baccalaureate degree program requirements to the appropriate mathematics pathway as identified on the Mathematics Pathways List. The Mathematics Pathways List, Effective February 2023, is herein incorporated by reference and located at (http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-15154). The list may be requested from the Office of Articulation, Florida Department of Education, 325 West Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399.

Rulemaking Authority 1001.02(1), (2)(n), 1007.23(1), 1007.25, 1007.27, 1004.096(1) FS. Law Implemented 1007.01(2), 1001.64(8)(a), 1007.23, 1007.25, 1007.27, 1004.096 FS. History–New 5-5-75, Amended 10-7-75, 6-8-76, 8-22-77, 12-26-77, 3-28-78, 5-10-78, 7-2-79, 2-27-80, 5-27-81, 1-6-83, 4-5-83, 6-28-83, 1-9-85, Formerly 6A-10.24, Amended 8-4-86, 5-18-88, 5-29-90, 7-30-91, 10-4-93, 5-3-94, 1-2-95, 9-30-96, 6-15-98, 12-13-99, 8-14-00, 10-15-01, 9-22-03, 12-18-05, 12-23-14, 3-23-16, 8-23-17, 6-19-18, 6-25-19, 10-27-20, 8-23-21, 9-20-22, 2-21-23,

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Kathy Hebda, Chancellor, Division of Florida Colleges.

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

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: July 27, 2023

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: June 20, 2023