The purpose of this rule development is to update the requirements for nonprofit scholarship-funding organizations and the requirements for measurement of student achievement to reflect statutory changes. The effect will be to develop a rule that is ...

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
State Board of Education

RULE NO: RULE TITLE
6A-6.0960: Corporate Tax Credit Scholarship Program
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of this rule development is to update the requirements for nonprofit scholarship-funding organizations and the requirements for measurement of student achievement to reflect statutory changes. The effect will be to develop a rule that is consistent with the governing statute and procedures of the Department.
SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: The subject areas for rule development include the requirements for nonprofit scholarship-funding organizations and the requirements for measurement of student achievement.
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: 220.187 FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 220.187 FS.
IF REQUESTED IN WRITING AND NOT DEEMED UNNECESSARY BY THE AGENCY HEAD, A RULE DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP WILL BE NOTICED IN THE NEXT AVAILABLE FLORIDA ADMINISTRATIVE WEEKLY.
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT AND A COPY OF THE PRELIMINARY DRAFT, IF AVAILABLE, IS: Jean Miller, Acting Executive Director, Office of Independent Education and Parental Choice, Department of Education, 325 West Gaines Street, Room 522, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400, [phone]. TO REQUEST A RULE DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP, please contact: Lynn Abbott, Agency Clerk, Department of Education, [phone] or e-mail [e-mail]

THE PRELIMINARY TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT IS:

6A-6.0960 Corporate Tax Credit Scholarship Program.

(1) No change.

(2) Nonprofit scholarship-funding organization requirements. Eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organizations shall:

(a) Beginning with the 2007-2008 school year, upon each first-time scholarship student’s entry to the scholarship program, obtain a written statement that the parent has informed the student’s school district that the child will be attending an eligible private school. The written statement shall be maintained on file by each nonprofit scholarship-funding organization for no less than three (3) years or until such time as the student graduates or otherwise exits the program. This requirement shall not apply to a kindergarten or first grade student, or a student placed in foster care, who was not enrolled in a Florida public school prior to entering the scholarship program.

(6) Measurement of student achievement. Private schools participating in the program are responsible for ensuring that all students who if in the public school system would otherwise be assessed under Section 1008.22(3)(c), F.S., and who are receiving scholarships are assessed annually and the results reported as required by Section 220.187(8)(c)2., F.S. Achievement data for scholarship students shall not be used to rate publicly the performance of private schools that participate in the program.

(a) Pursuant to Section 220.187(9)(i), F.S., relating to the identification and selection of nationally norm-referenced tests for the measurement of student achievement, participating private schools must annually administer one of the following approved assessments in grades K-12 to students receiving Corporate Income Tax Credit Scholarships:

1. Basic Achievement Skills Inventory (BASI) – Comprehensive Version.

2. Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) – NRT Reading and Mathematics.

2.3. Iowa Tests of Basic Skills® (ITBS®) Forms A and B – Core Battery.

3.4. Metropolitan Achievement Tests®, Eighth Edition (METROPOLITAN8) – Short Form.

4.5. Stanford Achievement Test, Tenth Edition (Stanford 10) – Basic Battery.

5.6. TerraNova (CTBS/5) – Basic Battery.

6.7. TerraNova, Second Edition (CAT/6) – Basic Battery.

Specific Authority 220.187(9)(i), 220.187(12)(c) FS. Law Implemented 220.187 FS. History–New 2-5-07, Amended________.