To update and extend the civic literacy competency requirement to include associate in science and associate in applied science (AS/AAS) students beginning in the 2022-23 academic year and thereafter. All Florida College ....

 

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

State Board of Education

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

6A-10.02413Civic Literacy Competency

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: To update and extend the civic literacy competency requirement to include associate in science and associate in applied science (AS/AAS) students beginning in the 2022-23 academic year and thereafter. All Florida College System institutions will be affected by the rule amendment, which will require colleges to modify their policies, procedures, advising practices and catalogs regarding the new civic literacy requirements. Students entering AS/AAS degree programs in 2022-23 and thereafter will be required to demonstrate postsecondary civic literacy competency prior to graduation.

SUMMARY: The current rule language exclusively applies to associate in arts and baccalaureate degree seeking students. An amendment is necessary so all degree-seeking students will have to meet the same requirements, consistent with the changes to 1007.25, F.S.

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: In enacting Chapters 2021-157 and 2021-164 of the Laws of Florida, the Legislature has already considered this policy change. The proposed rule amendment is not expected to have any adverse impact on economic growth or business competitiveness, or increase regulatory costs or any other factor set forth in s. 120.541(2), F.S., and will not require legislative ratification.

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(1), (2)(n), 1007.25(5), F.S.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 1007.25, F.S.

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

DATE AND TIME: March 30, 2022, 9:00 a.m.

PLACE: Collier County School Board Office, 5775 Osceola Trail, Naples, FL 34109.

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

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

6A-10.02413 Civic Literacy Competency.

(1) Prior to the award of an associate in arts or baccalaureate degree, first-time-in-college students entering a Florida College System institution between the 2018-19 to 2020-21 school year must demonstrate competency in civic literacy through one of the following options prior to graduation:

(a) through (b) No change.

(2) Prior to the award of an associate in arts or baccalaureate degree, students initially entering a Florida College System institution in the 2021-22 school year, and thereafter, must demonstrate competency in civic literacy by completing paragraphs (2)(a) and (2)(b) prior to graduation.: Prior to the award of an associate in science or associate in applied science degree, students initially entering a Florida College System institution in the 2022-23 school year, and thereafter, must demonstrate competency in civic literacy by completing paragraphs (2)(a) and (2)(b) prior to graduation.

(a) through (b) No change.

(3) through (5) No change.

Rulemaking Authority 1001.02(1), 1001.02(2)(n), 1007.25(5)(a)-(b) FS. Law Implemented 1007.25 FS. History–New 6-19-18, Amended 11-23-21,

 

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

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Richard Corcoran, Commissioner, Department of Education.

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: February 21, 2022

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: December 23, 2021