The purpose of this amendment is to reflect changes from the 2014 legislative session. Section 1003.438, F.S., was revised to only allow students currently in high school whose individual education plan, as of June 20, 2014, contains a statement of ...

 

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

State Board of Education

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

6A-1.0995Form of High School Diplomas and Certificates of Completion

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of this amendment is to reflect changes from the 2014 legislative session. Section 1003.438, F.S., was revised to only allow students currently in high school whose individual education plan, as of June 20, 2014, contains a statement of intent to receive a special diploma. Such student may be awarded a special diploma in a form prescribed by the Commissioner of Education if the student meets the requirements specified in s. 1003.438, F.S. Any such student who meets all special requirements of the district school board in effect as of June 30, 2014, but who is unable to meet the appropriate special state minimum requirements, shall be awarded a special certificate of completion.

SUMMARY: This amendment specifies the special diploma or special certificate of completion forms of high school diploma are applicable for students who entered grade nine prior to the 2014-2015 school year.

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: 1) no requirement for SERC was triggered under Section 120.541(1), Florida Statutes (F.S.), and 2) based on past experiences with rules that affect individual students and their families in an educational setting and have no impact on small businesses, the adverse impact or regulatory cost, if any, do not exceed nor would be expected to exceed any one of the economic analysis criteria set forth in Section 120.541(2)(a), F.S.

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, 1003.4282, 1003.435, 1003.438, 1003.53 FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 1001.02, 1003.4282, 1003.435, 1003.438, 1003.53 FS.

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

DATE AND TIME: November 18, 2014, 8:30 a.m.

PLACE: Seminole State College, Heathrow Campus, 1055 AAA Drive, Heathrow, FL 32746

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Mary Jane Tappen, Executive Vice Chancellor, K-12 Public Schools, 325 West Gaines Street, Suite 1502, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400, [e-mail]

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

6A-1.0995 Form of High School Diplomas and Certificates of Completion.

Pursuant to Sections 1003.428, 1003.4282, and 1003.438, F.S., the form of the Standard Diploma, the Special Diploma, State of Florida High School Performance-Based Diploma, the Certificate of Completion and the Special Certificate of Completion shall contain the wording and be in the form prescribed herein.

(1) through (5) No change.

(6) The special diploma or special certificate of completion forms of high school diploma are applicable for students who entered grade nine prior to the 2014-2015 school year.

(7)(6) Districts must determine student eligibility for designations of each of the following accomplishments and include on standard diplomas issued beginning in July 2013 as applicable:

(a) Completion of the scholar designation requirements in accordance with Section 1003.4285, F.S.

(b) Completion of the merit designation requirements in accordance with Section 1003.4285, F.S.

(8)(7) Designations may be in the form of a seal, sticker, stamp, or text.

(9)(8) Each district school board shall produce or have produced the Diplomas and Certificates of Completion in the quantity and as needed to be awarded to the students in the public schools of that district. Any person producing copies shall, pursuant to Section 15.03(3), F.S. and Rule 1-2.0021, F.A.C., secure approval from the Department of State to print the State Seal on such copies.

(10)(9) The Commissioner is authorized, upon written request from any district school board, to approve modification in the form or format of the diplomas or certificates prescribed herein; however, such modification shall not substantively alter the content or the wording of the diplomas or certificates.

Rulemaking Authority 1001.02, 1003.428, 1003.4282, 1003.435, 1003.438, 1003.53 FS. Law Implemented 1001.02, 1003.428, 1003.4282, 1003.4285, 1003.435, 1003.438, 1003.53 FS. History–New 11-14-78, Amended 6-9-81, Formerly 6A-1.995, Amended 4-3-90, 1-5-09, 7-19-10, 3-25-14,__________.

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Mary Jane Tappen, Executive Vice Chancellor, K-12 Public Schools

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

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: October 13, 2014

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: September 26, 2014