The purpose of this new rule is to implement changes to the high school equivalency diploma program. The effect of this rule will establish the standards for the issuance of the State of Florida High School diploma to individuals who successfully ...

 

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

State Board of Education

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

6A-6.0201State of Florida High School Diploma Program

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of this new rule is to implement changes to the high school equivalency diploma program. The effect of this rule will establish the standards for the issuance of the State of Florida High School diploma to individuals who successfully pass the examinations after January 1, 2014.

SUMMARY: A new equivalency exam will be available on January 1, 2014, which was developed for college and career readiness. In addition, the eligibility criteria for testing centers, statewide testing fee for the equivalency exam, as well as fees and services such as the production of duplicate documents, will be established.

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 Agency has determined that the proposed rule does not require legislative ratification and is not expected to have any impact on the factors found in Section 120.541(2)(a), Florida Statutes. The new equivalency exam, based on college and career readiness standards, will improve educational outcomes and employability skills. This will have a positive impact on economic growth and in business competitiveness. This rule increases the value of the equivalency diploma to employers and postsecondary institutions by documenting the recipient’s college and career skills. There is a nominal increase in fees for testing and document production with the increase in fees providing more services and value for the test taker.

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), 1003.435(1) FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 1003.435 FS.

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

DATE AND TIME: September 17, 2013, 9:00 a.m.

PLACE: Forest Hill Community High School, 6901 Parker Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL 33405

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Tara Goodman, Bureau Chief, Division of Career and Adult Education, 325 West Gaines Street, Suite 744, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400; phone [phone]; [e-mail]

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

6A-6.0201 State of Florida High School Diplomas, as of January 1, 2014 Program.

(1) Pursuant to the requirements of Section 1003.435, Florida Statutes, the Commissioner shall award a State of Florida High School Diploma to a candidate who meets all of the following requirements:

(a) Takes at least one (1) exam of the 2014 GED® Test at a testing center in Florida approved by the Department of Education, and

(b) Attains a minimum score of one hundred and fifty (150) on each of the four (4) sub-tests of the 2014 GED® Test: Reasoning through Language Arts, Mathematical Reasoning, Science and Social Studies.

(2) The Department shall convert sub-test scores which meet the minimum requirement from test administrations at any approved GED® testing center in another state or jurisdiction for residents of the state of Florida. The Commissioner shall award a State of Florida High School Diploma to Florida residents who meet the passing standard as specified in paragraph (1)(b) of this rule or the Florida passing standard for any previous test series. Individuals must provide proof of residency for a test score from another state or jurisdiction to be converted.

(3) The Department shall designate official testing centers in the state which are authorized to act as agents of the state in administering the 2014 GED® Test. The following entities shall be authorized to offer the 2014 GED ® Test:

(a) Public schools or other appropriate facilities of a local education agency (LEA).

(b) Public postsecondary educational institutions.

(c) Correctional facilities for state and/or local inmates.

(d) Correctional facilities for individuals in the custody of or under the supervision of the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice.

(e) If adequate access to public testing is not available at public schools and public postsecondary educational institutions in the county, other not-for-profit educational institutions or other governmental entities, including public libraries, are eligible to be approved as testing centers.

(3) Each official testing center shall establish a schedule for testing which adequately meets the needs of the candidates within its service area.

(4) The Department shall maintain a perpetual record of individual test results and issue State of Florida High School Diplomas and official transcipts to successful candidates.

(5) The statewide testing fee for the 2014 GED® Test shall be thirty-two (32) dollars for each of the following sub-tests: Reasoning through Language Arts, Mathematical Reasoning, Social Studies and Science. This fee shall be paid by the candidate at the time of the registration and scheduling of the test.

(6) A fee of fifteen (15) dollars shall be assessed for the following services and document production to test takers or other entities seeking official documents with the signed authority of the test candidate or recipient of the diploma for all documents and services provided on or after January 1, 2014:

(a) Duplication of diploma and transcript: fifteen (15) dollars.

(b) Conversion of scores from applicants who have taken the GED® tests in the military or other states or jurisdictions: fifteen (15) dollars.

Rulemaking Authority 1001.02(1), 1003.435(1), FS. Law Implemented 1003.435 FS. History–New_________.

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Rod Duckworth, Chancellor, Division of Career and Adult Education

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

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: August 7, 2013

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: May 7, 2013