To revise references to Florida’s state academic standards and update the mental health education and character education components of required instruction. The purpose of aligning these two components of statutorily required ....

 

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

State Board of Education

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

6A-1.094124Required Instruction Planning and Reporting

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: To revise references to Florida’s state academic standards and update the mental health education and character education components of required instruction. The purpose of aligning these two components of statutorily required instruction is to initiate a first in the nation approach to connecting the concepts of students’ readiness, resiliency and, when necessary, response and recovery.

SUMMARY: Update of the content for instruction related to Mental Health and Character Development Education.

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: Based upon the nature of the changes, this proposed rule is not expected to have any adverse impact on economic growth, business competitiveness or any other factors listed in s. 120.541(2)(a), F.S., and will not require legislative ratification. No increase in regulatory costs are anticipated as a result of the rule changes.

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(2)(n), 1003.42(2), F.S.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 1003.42, F.S.

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

DATE AND TIME: October 20, 2022, 9:00 a.m.

PLACE: Caribe Royal, 8101 World Center Drive, Orlando, Florida 32821.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Victoria Gaitanis, Chief, Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services, [phone].

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

6A-1.094124 Required Instruction Planning and Reporting.

(1) through (2) No change.

(3) As provided in Section 1003.42(2), F.S., members of instructional staff in public schools must teach the required instruction topics efficiently and faithfully, using materials that meet the highest standards of professionalism and historical accuracy.

(a) Efficient and faithful teaching of the required topics must be consistent with the state academic Next Generation Sunshine State sStandards and the Benchmarks for Excellent Student Thinking (B.E.S.T.) Standards.

(b) No change.

(c) Efficient and faithful teaching further means that any discussion is appropriate for the age and maturity level of the students, and teachers serve as facilitators for student discussion and do not share their personal views or attempt to indoctrinate or persuade students to a particular point of view that is inconsistent with the state academic Next Generation Sunshine State sStandards and the Benchmarks for Excellent Student Thinking (B.E.S.T.) Standards.

(4) Resiliency Education: Civic and Character Mental and Emotional Health Education and Life Skills Education.

(a) Civic and character education, and life skills education that builds confidence and supports mental health, are combined to develop and prepare more resilient students. The purpose of aligning these two components of statutorily required instruction is to initiate a first in the nation approach to connecting the concepts of students’ readiness, resiliency and, when necessary, response and recovery.

(b) (a) School districts must annually provide a minimum of five (5) hours of data-driven instruction to students in grades 6-12 related to civic and character education and life skills education through resiliency education youth mental health awareness and assistance, including suicide prevention and the impacts of substance abuse.

(b) uUsing the health education standards adopted in Rule 6A-1.09401, F.A.C., Student Performance Standards., Tthe instruction for youth mental and emotional health will advance each year through developmentally appropriate instruction and skill building and must address, at a minimum, the following topics:

1. Strategies specific to demonstrating resiliency through adversity, including the benefits of service to the community through volunteerism;

2. Strategies to develop healthy characteristics that reinforce positive core values and foster resiliency such as:

a. Empathy, perseverance, grit, gratitude and responsibility;

b. Critical thinking, problem solving and responsible decision-making;

c. Self-awareness and self-management;

d. Mentorship and citizenship; and

e. Honesty.

3. 1. Recognition of signs and symptoms of mental health concerns disorders;

2. Prevention of mental health disorders;

3. Mental health awareness and assistance;

4. Promotion of resiliency to empower youth to persevere and reverse How to reduce the harmful stigma of mental health by reframing the approach from around mental health education to resiliency education disorders;

5. Awareness of resources, including local school and community resources;

6. The process for accessing treatment;

7. Strategies to develop healthy coping techniques;

5. 8. Strategies to support a peer, friend, or family member through adversity with a mental health disorder;

6. 9. Prevention of suicide; and

7. 10. Prevention of the abuse of and addiction to alcohol, nicotine, and drugs; and.

8. Awareness of local school and community resources and the process for accessing assistance.

(5) through (9) No change.

Rulemaking Authority 1001.02(2)(n), 1003.42(2) FS. Law Implemented 1003.42 FS. History–New 10-24-19, Amended 12-22-20, 7-26-21,

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Victoria Gaitanis, Chief, Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services.

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Manny Diaz Jr., Commissioner, Department of Education.

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: September 23, 2022

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: August 23, 2022