The purpose of this rule is to establish criteria for awarding a standard high school diploma to honorably discharged veterans who have not completed the high school graduation requirements.

 

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

State Board of Education

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

6A-6.0202Awarding High School Diplomas to Honorably Discharged Veterans

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of this rule is to establish criteria for awarding a standard high school diploma to honorably discharged veterans who have not completed the high school graduation requirements.

SUMMARY: Prior to the 2013 legislative session, the statute specified dates students must have started high school and the war or conflict in which the veteran served, in order to be awarded a standard high school diploma. The new statute, enacted during the 2013 session, provides greater flexibility by deleting specific dates and wars or conflicts, making this provision applicable to all honorably discharged veterans.

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. This rule is developed in response to Section 1003.4286, Florida Statutes, which requires the State Board of Education to work with the Department of Military Affairs to adopt rules for which the Commissioner of Education may award a standard high school diploma to honorably discharged veterans.

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: 1003.4286 FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 1003.4286 FS.

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

DATE AND TIME: October 15, 2013, 9:00 a.m.

PLACE: Tampa, Florida (The physical location will be posted on the Department’s website no later than 14 days prior to the meeting at http://www.fldoe.org)

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Kathleen Taylor, Division of Career and Adult Education, 325 West Gaines Street, Room 714, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0400, [phone], FAX: [phone]

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

6A-6.0202 Awarding High School Diplomas to Honorably Discharged Veterans.

(1) Pursuant to the requirements of Section 1003.4286, Florida Statutes, the Commissioner may award a standard high school diploma to an honorably discharged veteran who meets the following requirements:

(a) Left a public or non-public school located in any state prior to graduation and entered the armed forces of the United States.

(b) Is a current resident of the state of Florida, or was previously enrolled in any high school in this state, or was a resident of the state of Florida at the time of death.

(c) Is honorably discharged from the armed forces of the United States as verified by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

(2) The diploma may be presented posthumously.

(3) An application verifying all the requirements set forth in subsection (1) of this rule shall be forwarded, upon completion, to the Florida Department of Education using Form FLVET, Veterans High School Diploma Application, effective ,( insert link ) which is hereby incorporated by reference in this rule. Form FLVET may be obtained by contacting the Florida Department of Education, Veterans High School Diploma Program, 325 West Gaines Street, Room 714, Tallahassee, Florida 32399.

Rulemaking Authority 1003.4286 FS. Law Implemented 1003.4286 FS. History–New________.

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Rod Duckworth, Chancellor, 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: September 12, 2013

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: July 26, 2013