Update language in rule, and language in forms incorporated in rule, to be consistent with changes made during the 2022 legislative session related to Florida College System (FCS) institutional accrediting agencies via Senate ....

 

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

State Board of Education

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

6A-14.095Site Determined Baccalaureate Access

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: Update language in rule, and language in forms incorporated in rule, to be consistent with changes made during the 2022 legislative session related to Florida College System (FCS) institutional accrediting agencies via Senate Bill (SB) 7044. Additionally, make non-substantive technical changes to rule language, including relocating terms throughout the rule and incorporated documents.

SUMMARY: Updates to rule language, and the forms incorporated in rule, remove specific reference to The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and replace it with language to reflect institutional accrediting agencies more broadly. Updates to the rule also formalizes the use of the preproposal notification system used by FCS and State University System (SUS) institutions known as APPRiSe.

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: 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 this rule. This is based upon the nature of the proposed rule.

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: 1007.33(6), 1003.491(5), 1001.02, F.S.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 1007.33, 1003.491(5), F.S.

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

DATE AND TIME: January 18, 2023, 9:00 a.m.

PLACE: Nassau County School Board Office, 1201 Atlantic Avenue, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Mike Sfiropoulos, Ph.D., Division of Florida Colleges, [phone], or [e-mail]

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

6A-14.095 Site Determined Baccalaureate Access.

(1) No change.

(2) Definitions. For the purposes of this rule and forms incorporated herein, the following definitions shall be used.

(a) No change.

(b) “Board of Ttrustees” means a Florida College System institution board of trustees.

(c) “CIP to SOC Crosswalk” means the coding system developed by the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics that links instructional programs to occupations. A CIP to SOC relationship indicates that programs classified in the CIP code category prepare individuals for jobs classified in the Standard Occupational Classification category or “SOC.” The crosswalk is located at https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=55.

(c)(d) “Classification of Instructional Programs” or “CIP code” refers to the taxonomic scheme developed by the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics and located at http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/Default.aspx?y=55.

(d)(e) “College” means an institution within the Florida College System.

(f) “Common Prerequisites Manual,” pursuant to Section 1007.25(5), F.S., means courses and course substitutions required for each baccalaureate degree program found in Florida’s public universities and colleges.

(e)(g) “Completed proposal” means a college’s final submission of a baccalaureate program proposal to the Division for consideration by the State Board of Education.

(f)(h) “Division” means the Division of Florida Colleges.

(g)(i) “Initial proposal” means a college’s first submission of a baccalaureate program proposal to the Division for review.

(j) “Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System” means that portion of the information center created and maintained by the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics, created pursuant to 20 U.S.C. § 9541, that collects and analyzes data related to postsecondary education. The system is found at http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/datacenter.

(h)(k) “Institutional educational accrediting body” means the body for the accreditation of degree-granting higher education institutions.  “SACSCOC” means the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

(l) “STEM” means science, technology, engineering or mathematics.

(i)(m) “Service district” means the geographical area served by a college identified in Section 1000.21, F.S.

(n) “Statewide Articulation Agreement” means the agreement provided for in Rule 6A-10.024, F.A.C.

(3) Baccalaureate notice of intent process. Notice of intent.

(a) Notification using APPRiSe. First, a Florida College System institution proposing a new baccalaureate degree program shall enter the prospective program in APPRiSe to provide state colleges and universities information regarding the new degree program. The APPRiSe notification shall be made prior to the submission of the notice of intent. The information submitted to APPRiSe must include at least: the program location, the program name, the program level, the CIP code family, the anticipated beginning term, a narrative description, and a primary contact name.

(b) Notice of intent. Once the APPRiSe notification has been made, then Ppursuant to Section 1007.33(5)(a), F.S., a college seeking consideration of approval by the State Board of Education for a new baccalaureate degree proposal must complete and submit the Notice of Intent, Form No. BAAC-01 (http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-12154) which is hereby incorporated by reference in this rule effective February 2023 October 2020. A copy of the form may be found at http://fldoe.org/schools/higher-ed/fl-college-system/baccalaureate-degree-proposal-process.stml or by writing to the Division at 325 West Gaines Street, Suite 1244, Tallahassee, Florida 32399.

1. (a) The notice of intent will remain valid for two (2) years from its receipt by the Division.

2. (b) If the initial proposal is not received within two (2) years of receipt of the notice of intent, the college must begin the approval process set forth in Section 1007.33(5), F.S., anew, beginning with submission of a new APPRiSe notification and notice of intent.

(4) Baccalaureate proposal process, alternative proposals and objections. Alternative proposals and objections to the proposed baccalaureate degree may be submitted by a Florida state university or a regionally accredited private college or university that is accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Alternative proposals must be submitted to the Chancellor of the Florida College System and must address all criteria specified in Section 1007.33(5)(c), F.S., and specifically include a calculation of the total tuition and fees for a student starting as a first-time, freshman student in the program and a calculation of the total tuition and fees for completing the last two (2) years of the program. Both calculations must be based on the total hours required for the baccalaureate degree. A state university or regionally accredited private college or university that is accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education may also submit an objection to a proposed new program to the Division, pursuant to Section 1007.33(5)(b), F.S. State universities have sixty (60) days following the receipt of the notice of intent to submit alternative proposals and objections. Subsequent to the sixty (60) day submission window for state universities, regionally accredited private colleges have thirty (30) days to submit alternative proposals and objections.

(5) Baccalaureate proposal process, application. Proposals for a baccalaureate degree. A college seeking consideration of approval by the State Board of Education for a new baccalaureate degree proposal must complete and submit the Baccalaureate Proposal Application, Form No. BAAC-02 (http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-12155) which is hereby incorporated by reference in this rule effective February 2023 October 2020. A copy of the form may be found at http://fldoe.org/schools/higher-ed/fl-college-system/baccalaureate-degree-proposal-process.stml or by writing to the Division at 325 West Gaines Street, Suite 1244, Tallahassee, Florida 32399.

(a) through (c) No change.

(6) Baccalaureate accountability process. Each college with one (1) or more baccalaureate programs shall annually submit one College-Level Baccalaureate Accountability Report, BAAC-03, and a Program-Level Baccalaureate Accountability Report, BAAC-04, for each active baccalaureate degree program.

(a) The College-Level Baccalaureate Accountability Report, Form No. BAAC-03 (http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-12156), effective February 2023 October 2020, is hereby incorporated by reference and may be accessed at http://fldoe.org/schools/higher-ed/fl-college-system/baccalaureate-degree-proposal-process.stml or by writing to the Division at 325 West Gaines Street, Suite 1244, Tallahassee, Florida 32399.

(b) The Program-Level Baccalaureate Accountability Report, Form No. BAAC-04, (http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-12157) effective February 2023 October 2020, is hereby incorporated by reference and may be accessed at http://fldoe.org/schools/higher-ed/fl-college-system/baccalaureate-degree-proposal-process.stml or by writing to the Division at 325 West Gaines Street, Suite 1244, Tallahassee, Florida 32399.

(c) No change.

Rulemaking Authority 1001.02, 1007.33(6), 1003.491(5)  FS. Law Implemented 1007.33, 1003.491(5) FS. History–New 8-8-10, Amended 9-16-12, 8-26-15, 10-27-20,

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Mike Sfiropoulos, Ph.D., Division of Florida Colleges.

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

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: December 08, 2022

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: November 1, 2022