6A-1.09421: High School Competency Test Requirements
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The proposed rule amendments require adult students who have not yet passed the High School Competency Test (HSCT) to meet the graduation testing requirement with passing scores on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test® (FCAT). The required passing scores on the FCAT were determined through a statistical analysis and are comparable to the passing scores previously required on the HSCT, in accordance with Section 1008.22(9), F.S. Beginning with the effective date of this rule, the HSCT will be discontinued, and adult students will be required to register for retake administrations of the FCAT to fulfill the graduation testing requirement for a high school diploma.
SUMMARY: This rule is amended to discontinue the administration of the HSCT and establish passing scores on the FCAT that are comparable to those required on the HSCT. The comparable passing scores on the FCAT will allow adult students to meet their high school testing requirement using a test that is supported by the current statewide assessment program and offered several times per year. In addition to these changes, obsolete provisions related to the administration and content of the HSCT are eliminated.
SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS: No Statement of Estimated Regulatory Cost was prepared.
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.
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: 1001.02, 1008.22(3)(c)5., 1008.22 (9) FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 1001.02, 1008.22 FS.
A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:
DATE AND TIME: January 21, 2009; 8:30 a.m.
PLACE: Kenwood School, 9300 SW 79th Avenue, Miami, Florida
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Dr. Cornelia Orr, Director, Assessment and School Performance, 325 W. Gaines Street, Suite 414, Tallahassee, Florida 32399, (850)245-0513
THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:
6A-1.09421 High School Competency Test Requirements.
Beginning with the effective date of this rule, the student examination known as the High School Competency Test (HSCT) shall be discontinued. The minimum student performance skills and competencies required for high school graduation by Section 229.57(3)(c)5., Florida Statutes, for the period 1994-95 through 1998-99 shall be determined in the manner prescribed below:
(1) The student examination, known as the High School Competency Test, shall be administered annually under the direction and supervision of the Commissioner, and shall be:
(a) Kept secured at all times.
(b) Provided to testing centers in the quantity needed.
(c) Administered in accordance with standard written instructions appropriate for the examination.
(2) The test shall:
(a) Consist of two (2) sections; one (1) comprising communications skills, and one (1) comprising mathematical skills.
(b) Be derived from the skills adopted in subsection 6A-1.0941(1), F.A.C., for the time period from 1994-95 through 1998-99.
(1)(3) Adults who have taken the HSCT test previously but who have not yet earned passing scores in both sections of the test must meet the remaining testing requirements to may retake the examination at any subsequent scheduled administration.
(4) To qualify for a high school diploma by, each adult student must earning passing scores on both sections of the High School Competency Test or earn passing scores on the respective sections of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT), as defined in Section 1008.22(3)(c), F.S., or scores on a standardized test that are concordant with passing scores on the FCAT as defined in Section 1008.22(9), F.S. High School Competency Test scores shall be reported in terms of an equated score scale. For eligible students, the The passing scale score for Grade 10 FCAT Reading shall be a score equal to or greater than two hundred sixty-eight (268) on the 100 to 500 scale seven hundred (700). For eligible students, the passing scale score for Grade 10 FCAT Mathematics shall be a score equal to or greater than two hundred seventy-eight (278) on the 100 to 500 scale.
(5) No time limit shall be established for answering the questions on the High School Competency Test; provided, however, that no student shall be permitted to answer test items which have been seen by the student at a time other than the examination session in which the test questions are given to the student and provided that the examination session shall not be longer than the length of time normally scheduled for a school day.
(2)(6) When the student earns a passing score on a section of the FCAT High School Competency Test, it shall be recorded in the students cumulative record. If this the student has previously been awarded a Certificate of Completion in lieu of a standard high school diploma by virtue of failure to pass the HSCT High School Competency Test, such student shall be awarded a standard high school diploma. Adequate opportunity to be retested so as to earn a passing score shall remain available to each student until such time as the student earns passing scores on each section of the test.
(7) Once a student has passed a section of the test measuring skills adopted in subsection 6A-1.0941(1), F.A.C., for the time period 1985-86 through 1993-94, the student will not be required to pass that section of the test measuring skills adopted in subsection 6A-1.0941(1), F.A.C., for the time period from 1994-95 through 1998-99.
(8) Invalidity of a section of this rule shall not invalidate the remainder of the rule.
Specific Authority 1001.02, 1008.22(3)(c)5., 1008.22(9), 1008.22(11) FS. Law Implemented 1001.02, 1008.22 FS. HistoryNew 1-2-95, Amended 12-19-95, 1-16-08, ________.
