The purpose of the proposed rule development is to review reporting requirements by which private schools participating in Florida’s K-12 state scholarship programs must submit compliance documentation to the Florida Department of Education and the ...

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
State Board of Education

RULE NO: RULE TITLE
6A-6.03315: Private School Scholarship Compliance Form
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of the proposed rule development is to review reporting requirements by which private schools participating in Florida’s K-12 state scholarship programs must submit compliance documentation to the Florida Department of Education and the incorporated form to determine if changes should be considered. The effect is of this development is to provide consistency to private schools, students, and families during the school year to prevent possible disruptions in private school eligibility, in scholarship payments, and in the provision of educational services to children.
SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: The subject areas for the rule development include definitions related to compliance requirements, requirements for new and renewing schools, and timelines for submitting private school scholarship compliance information.
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: 1002.39, 1002.42, 1002.421 FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 220.187, 316.615, 381.006, 381.0072, 404.056, 440.02, 443.1216, 607.0128, 617.0128, 623.03, 1002.39, 1003.22, 1003.23, 1002.42, 1002.421 FS.
A RULE DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:
TIME AND DATE: August 28, 2006, 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
PLACE: Turlington Building, 325 West Gaines Street, Conference Room 1721, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0400
DATE AND TIME: August 29, 2006, 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
PLACE: Nova Southeastern University, Jacksonville Student Education Center, 6675 Corporate Center Parkway, Room 10, Jacksonville, FL 32216
DATE AND TIME: August 31, 2006, 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
PLACE: Nova Southeastern University, Main Campus, 3301 College Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314-7796
(Room number to be posted on location)
DATE AND TIME: August 31, 2006, 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
PLACE: Nova Southeastern University, Orlando Student Educational Center, 4850 Millenia Boulevard, Room 126, Orlando, FL 32839
Persons with disabilities who need assistance in order to participate in these workshops may contact Tera Quillen, Office of Independent Education and Parental Choice, Florida Department of Education, 522 Turlington Building, 325 West Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400, Telephone [phone], at least five business days in advance of the meetings to make appropriate arrangements.
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT AND A COPY OF THE PRELIMINARY DRAFT, IF AVAILABLE, IS: Virginia Gentles, Executive Director, Office of Independent Education and Parental Choice, Department of Education, 325 West Gaines Street, Room 522, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400, [phone]

THE PRELIMINARY TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT IS:

6A-6.03315 Private School Scholarship Compliance Form.

Form Compliance reporting requirements for the participation of a Florida private school registered with the Department of Education to be determined eligible to participate in one or more state scholarship program(s) are specified in Form IEPC SCF-1, Scholarship Compliance Form for Private School Participants in State Scholarship Programs, hereinafter Scholarship Compliance Form, which is hereby incorporated by reference to become a part of this rule effective October 2006 September 2005.

(1) Definitions related to this rule and the Scholarship Compliance Form:

(a) Renewing school – Schools that had scholarship students during the current or previous school year.

(b) New school – Schools that did not have scholarship students during the current or previous school year. A school removed from the program pursuant to a Notice of Proposed Action from the Commissioner may not reapply during the same school year it was removed from the program. In addition, a school that had scholarship students during the current or previous school year but is opening an additional location may apply as a new school for that location only.

(c) Regular and direct contact – Daily contact for a minimum of 170 actual school days with the required instructional hours (determined by grade level per state board Rule 6A-1.09512) under the direct instruction of the private school teacher at the school’s physical location with occasional off-site activities under the supervision of the private school teacher.

(d) School’s physical location—The location where regular and direct contact with the private school teacher occurs and must meet applicable state and local health, safety, and welfare laws, codes, and rules.

(2) Renewing schools. The signed, notarized Scholarship Compliance Form must be postmarked received by March 1 the Office of Independent Education and Parental Choice no later than 5:00 p.m. on May 1 of each year for participation in the subsequent school year. Following the timely submission of the Scholarship Compliance Form, any outstanding compliance issues, including submission of the annual survey required by section 1002.42, Florida Statutes, must be resolved by the private school prior to May July 1 of each year for the school to remain eligible to participate in the scholarship programs.

(3) New schools. When the signed, notarized Scholarship Compliance Form is submitted by a new school the school shall have 60 days to resolve any outstanding compliance issues, including submission of the annual survey required by section 1002.42, Florida Statutes, to become eligible to participate in the scholarship programs. If the outstanding issues have not been resolved after 60 days, the application shall be administratively closed. The application can be reopened, at any time during the same school year, by request of the private school. At no time can a new private school that has not met and adequately demonstrated compliance with all requirements register or enroll scholarship students.

(4) The Scholarship Compliance Form This form This form delineates private school reporting requirements specified pursuant to Section 1002.42, Florida Statutes, and statutory and regulatory requirements related to the areas of school location and contact information; school ownership; affiliation; financial solvency; school administration; school staffing; school program; student health, safety, and welfare; student records; school facility; and submission of the scholarship compliance form.

(5) Copies of the Scholarship Compliance Form the form may be obtained from the Office of Independent Education and Parental Choice, Department of Education, 325 West Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399.

Specific Authority 1002.38, 1002.38, 1002.39, 1002.42, 1002.421 FS. Law Implemented 220.187, 316.615, 381.006, 381.0072, 404.056, 440.02, 443.1216, 607.0128, 617.0128, 623.03, 1002.38, 1002.38, 1002.39, 1003.22, 1003.23, 1002.42, 1002.421 FS. History–New 10-13-2004, Amended 9-20-2005, ________.