RULE NO.: RULE TITLE:
6A-14.092 Textbook Affordability
NOTICE OF CHANGE
Notice is hereby given that the following changes have been made to the proposed rule in accordance with subparagraph 120.54(3)(d)1., F.S., published in Vol. 43 No. 118, June 19, 2017 issue of the Florida Administrative Register.
(1) through (2) No change.
(3) Select textbooks and instructional materials through cost-benefit analyses that enable students to obtain the highest-quality product at the lowest available price, by considering, in addition to those items listed in s. 1004.085 (7)(g), F. S.: Confirm through a course instructor or academic department offering the course the intent to use all items ordered, particularly each individual item sold as part of a bundled package, before the textbook or instructional materials adoption is finalized.
(a) The length of time that textbooks and instructional materials remain in use, prioritizing textbooks and instructional materials that will remain in use for a minimum of three (3) years.
(b) Coursewide adoption, specifically for high enrollment general education courses.
(4) Identify a process to ensure publishers provide a description of the content revisions made between the current edition and a proposed new edition of required textbook and instructional materials. Confirm through a course instructor or academic department offering the course the extent to which a new edition differs significantly and substantively from earlier versions and the value to the student of changing to a new edition or the extent to which an open-access textbook or instructional material is available before a textbook or instructional material is adopted.
(5) The board of trustees of each Florida College System institution shall report by September 30 of each year to the Chancellor of the Florida College System, in a format determined by the Chancellor, the following: Determine the availability of required and recommended textbooks and instructional materials to students otherwise unable to afford the cost, including consideration of the extent to which an open-access textbook or instructional material may be used.
(a) The textbook and instructional materials selection process for general education courses with a wide cost variance and high-enrollment courses; course sections with no cost shall not be included in the examination of cost variance between different sections of the same course.
(b) Specific initiatives of the institution designed to reduce the costs of textbooks and instructional materials;
(c) Policies implemented regarding the posting of textbook and instructional materials for at least 95% of all courses and course sections forty-five (45) days before the first day of class;
(d) The number of courses and course sections that were not able to meet the textbook and instructional materials posting deadline for the previous academic year.
(6) Confirm participation by course instructors and academic departments in the development, adaptation, and review of open-access textbooks and instructional materials and, in particular, open-access textbooks and instructional materials for high-demand general education courses.
(7) Consult with school districts to identify practices that impact the cost of dual enrollment textbooks and instructional materials to school districts, including, but not limited to, the length of time that textbooks and instructional materials remain in use.
(8) Select textbooks and instructional materials through cost-benefit analyses that enable students to obtain the highest-quality product at the lowest available price, by considering:
(a) Purchasing digital textbooks in bulk.
(b) Expanding the use of open-access textbooks and instructional materials.
(c) Providing rental options for textbooks and instructional materials.
(d) Increasing the availability and use of affordable digital textbooks and learning objects.
(e) Developing mechanisms to assist in buying, renting, selling, and sharing textbooks and instructional materials.
(f) Determine the length of time that textbooks and instructional materials remain in use, prioritizing textbooks and instructional materials that will remain in use for a minimum of three (3) years.
(g) Review the cost savings for textbooks and instructional materials which a student may realize if individual students are able to exercise opt-in provisions for the purchase of the materials.
(h) Consider course wide adoption, specifically for high enrollment general education courses.
(9) The board of trustees of each Florida College System institution shall report by September 30 of each year to the Chancellor of the Florida College System, in a format determined by the Chancellor, the following:
(a) The textbook and instructional materials selection process for general education courses with a wide cost variance and high-enrollment courses; course sections with no cost shall not be included in the examination of cost variance between different sections of the same course;
(b) Specific initiatives of the institution designed to reduce the costs of textbooks and instructional materials;
(c) Policies implemented regarding the posting of textbook and instructional materials for at least 95% of all courses and course sections forty-five (45) days before the first day of class; and
(d) The number of courses and course sections that were not able to meet the textbook and instructional materials posting deadline for the previous academic year.
Rulemaking Authority 1004.085(7) FS. Law Implemented 1004.085 FS. History–New 2-25-09, Amended
