Consolidate rule 6A-14.030, F.A.C. with 6A-10.033, F.A.C. and repeal rule 6A-10.033, F.A.C.

 

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

State Board of Education

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

6A-14.030Instruction and Awards in Florida College System Institutions

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: Consolidate rule 6A-14.030, F.A.C. with 6A-10.033, F.A.C. and repeal rule 6A-10.033, F.A.C.

SUMMARY: To consolidate definitions and awards in one rule.

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 s. 120.541(1), F.S. and is not expected to require legislative ratification, and 2) Based on past experiences with instructional awards there would be no economic impact from this amendment and the adverse impact or regulatory cost, if any, does not exceed nor would be expected to exceed any one of the economic analysis criteria set forth in Section 120.541(2)(a), Florida Statutes.

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), (6)(c), 1001.03(12), 1004.91, 1004.93, 1007.24, FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 1001.02, 1001.03(12), 1004.02, 1004.91, 1004.93, FS.

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

DATE AND TIME: May 16, 2017, 9:00 a.m.

PLACE: Miami Senior High School, 2450 SW 1st St., Miami, FL 33135.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Dr. Karinda Barrett, Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic & Student Affairs, [phone] or [e-mail].

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

6A-14.030 Post Secondary Instructional Unit Definitions Instruction and Awards in Florida College System Institutions.

Florida College System institutions are authorized to provide instruction and to confer degrees, certificates, and diplomas only as prescribed herein. Any Florida College System institution degree program, certificate, or diploma program shall be offered at the standard credit hour length, established and approved by the State Board of Education. The courses within the programs identified in the subsections below shall be submitted to the Division of Accountability, Research, and Measurement in the Department of Education.

(1) Definitions. The following definitions apply to instruction in postsecondary career centers operated by school districts and Florida College System institutions.

(a) Credit. Credit is a unit of measure assigned to courses or course equivalent learning. Credit is awarded if the learning activity it represents is part of, or preparatory for, an organized and specified program leading to a postsecondary certificate or degree. Credit is a device which indicates to the learner, to educational institutions, to employers, and to others how much of the program the learner has completed. The credit awarded may be independent of where the learning occurs. If a learning activity does not meet these requirements, credit shall not be awarded. The only types of postsecondary credit authorized are:

1. College credit. College credit is the type of credit assigned by Florida College System institutions to courses or course equivalent learning that is part of an organized and specified program leading to a baccalaureate, associate degree, certificate, or Applied Technology Diploma pursuant to the stipulations in subsections (2) through (9). One (1) college credit is based on the learning expected from the equivalent of fifteen (15) fifty-minute periods of classroom instruction; with credits for such activities as laboratory instruction, internships, and clinical experience determined by the institution based on the proportion of direct instruction to the laboratory exercise, internship hours, or clinical practice hours.

a. Lower division college credit. Lower division college credit is assigned to college credit courses offered to freshmen and sophomores (1000 and 2000 level courses).

b. Upper division college credit. Upper division college credit is assigned to college credit courses offered to juniors and seniors (3000 and 4000 level courses).

2. Clock Hour. A clock hour is the unit assigned to courses or course equivalent learning that is part of an organized and specified program leading to an Applied Technology Diploma or a Career and Technical Certificate pursuant to subsections (7) and (10). It applies to postsecondary adult career courses as defined in Section 1004.02(25), F.S. One (1) clock hour is based on the learning expected from the equivalent of thirty (30) hours of instruction.

3. Developmental credit. Developmental credit is the type of credit assigned by Florida College System institutions to courses that provide degree seeking students who wish to enroll in college credit courses with additional academic preparation determined to be needed pursuant to Rule 6A-10.0315, F.A.C. One (1) developmental credit is based on the learning expected from the equivalent of fifteen (15) fifty-minute periods of classroom instruction.

4. Institutional credit. Institutional credit is postsecondary credit that is competency-based. Institutional credit is not guaranteed to automatically transfer.

(b) Noncredit. Noncredit is a term indicating that credit, as defined herein, is not awarded. It applies to the instructional classifications of noncredit continuing education, adult general education, citizenship, recreational, community education, and community instructional services. The unit of measure is hours of instruction.

(2)(1) Bachelor’s degree. Each Florida College System institution is authorized to seek State Board of Education approval to provide programs of instruction consisting of upper division college credit courses as defined in subparagraph 6A-10.033(1)(a)2., F.A.C., to prepare for entry into employment, pursuant to Section 1007.33, F.S. The bachelor’s degree shall be awarded upon satisfactory completion of a planned program of one hundred and twenty (120) college credits, unless otherwise approved by the State Board of Education, after demonstration of the attainment of predetermined and specified performance requirements. The bachelor’s degree must include thirty-six (36) college credits of general education coursework and foreign language competence.

(3)(2) Associate in arts degree. Each Florida College System institution shall provide the program of arts or general instruction consisting of lower division college credit courses as defined in subparagraph 6A-10.033(1)(a)1., F.A.C. The associate in arts degree is a transfer degree and a basis for admission to a bachelor’s degree. The associate in arts degree shall be awarded upon satisfactory completion of a planned program of sixty (60) college credits after demonstration of the attainment of predetermined and specified performance requirements. The associate in arts degree must include thirty-six (36) college credits of general education coursework.

(4)(3) Associate in science degree. Each Florida College System institution is authorized to provide programs of career and technical instruction consisting of lower division college credit courses as defined in subparagraph 6A-10.033(1)(a)1., F.A.C., to prepare for entry into employment. The associate in science degree is a transfer degree and a basis for admission to a related bachelor’s degree. The associate in science degree shall be awarded upon satisfactory completion of a planned program of instruction comprised of the standard credit hour length established, after demonstration of the attainment of predetermined and specified performance requirements. The standard credit hour length of all associate in science degree programs as defined in Rule 6A-6.0571, F.A.C. The associate in science degree must include a minimum of fifteen (15) college credits of general education coursework.

(5)(4) Associate in applied science degree. Each Florida College System institution is authorized to provide programs of career and technical instruction consisting of lower division college credit courses as defined in subparagraph 6A-10.033(1)(a)1., F.A.C., to prepare for entry into employment. The associate in applied science degree shall be awarded upon satisfactory completion of a planned program of instruction comprised of the standard credit hour length established, after demonstration of the attainment of predetermined and specified performance requirements. The standard credit hour length of all associate in applied science degree programs as defined in Rule 6A-6.0571, F.A.C. The associate in applied science degree must include a minimum of fifteen (15) college credits of general education coursework.

(6)(5) A Technical Certificate (College Credit Certificate). Each Florida College System institution is authorized to provide programs of career and technical instruction consisting of less than sixty (60) college credits as defined in paragraph 6A-10.033(1)(a), F.A.C., which are part of an associate in science degree or an associate in applied science degree program and prepare students for entry into employment. The standard credit hour length of all technical certificate programs as defined in Rule 6A-6.0571, F.A.C.

(7)(6) An Applied Technology Diploma. Each Florida College System institution is authorized to provide programs of career and technical instruction that are part of an associate in science degree or an associate in applied science degree, that are less than sixty (60) credit hours, and leads to employment in a specific occupation. An applied technology diploma program may consist of either clock hours or college credit as defined in paragraphs 6A-10.033(1)(a), (b), F.A.C. The standard credit hour length of all applied technology diploma programs as defined in Rule 6A-6.0571, F.A.C.

(8)(7) An Advanced Technical Certificate. Each Florida College System institution is authorized to provide programs of career and technical instruction consisting of nine (9) hours or more but less than forty-five (45) college credits of lower division and/or upper division courses as defined in subparagraphs 6A-10.033(1)(a)1. and 2., F.A.C. Florida College System institutions offering advanced technical certificates with upper division courses must be approved to offer baccalarueate programs containing those courses. An advanced technical certificate may be awarded to students who have already received an associate in science degree or an associate in applied science degree and are seeking an advanced specialized program of instruction to supplement their associate degree.

(9)(8) Certificate of Professional Preparation. Each Florida College System institution is authorized to provide college-level professional instruction, consisting of not less than nine (9) and not more than thirty (30) college or institutional credits of courses and course equivalent modules as defined in paragraphs 6A-10.033(1)(a), (d), F.A.C., to prepare baccalaureate degree holders for licensure, certification, credentialing, examinations, or other demonstrations of competency necessary for entry into professional occupations.

(10)(9) Career and Technical Certificate. Each Florida College System institution is authorized to provide programs of career and technical instruction consisting of clock hour courses as defined in paragraph 6A-10.033(1)(b), F.A.C., to prepare for entry into employment. Upon satisfactory completion of a planned program of instruction, after the demonstration of the attainment of predetermined and specified performance requirements, the career and technical certificate shall be awarded. The standard clock hour length of all career and technical certificate programs as defined in Rule 6A-6.0571, F.A.C.

(11)(10) Continuing Workforce Education. Each Florida College System institution may provide noncredit continuing workforce education instruction as defined in subsection 6A-10.033(2), F.A.C., tailored to individual needs and designed to improve job performance.

(12)(11) High school diploma. Each Florida College System institution with responsibility for adult basic and adult secondary instruction, shall provide adult basic and adult secondary instruction as defined in Section 1004.02, F.S. Upon satisfactory completion of a planned high school program, after the demonstration of the attainment of predetermined and specified performance requirements, the high school diploma shall be awarded.

(13)(12) Developmental instruction. Each Florida College System institution shall provide, according to the needs of its students, basic instruction to provide degree seeking students who wish to enroll in college credit courses with additional academic preparation determined to be needed pursuant to Rule 6A-10.0315, F.A.C. Satisfactory completion of such instruction shall be recognized by the award of units of measure called developmental credit as defined in paragraph 6A-10.033(1)(c), F.A.C.

(14)(13) English for Academic Purposes. Each Florida College System institution is authorized to provide, according to the needs of its students, instruction that provides English Language Learners with essential language and academic preparation necessary to enroll in college credit instruction in Communications. Satisfactory completion of such instruction shall be recognized by the award of units of measure called institutional credit (0100-0400 series pursuant to the Statewide Course Numbering System EAP taxonomy) or college credit (1500-1600 series pursuant to the Statewide Course Numbering System EAP taxonomy) as defined in paragraphs 6A-10.033(1)(a), (d), F.A.C.

(15)(14) Lifelong learning instruction. Each Florida College System institution shall provide noncredit instructional activities as defined in subsection 6A-10.033(2), F.A.C., to address community social and economic issues related to health and human relations, government, parenting, consumer economics, and senior citizens.

(16)(15) Recreational and leisure time instruction. Each Florida College System institution shall provide noncredit instructional activities as defined in subsection 6A-10.033(2), F.A.C., to develop recreational or leisure time skills.

(17)(16) These provisions shall not prevent Florida College System institutions from conferring honorary degrees, certificates, or diplomas, in accordance with the Florida College System board of trustees policy.

Rulemaking Authority 1001.02(1), (6)(c), (d), 1001.03(12), 1004.91, 1004.93 FS. Law Implemented 1001.02, 1001.03(12), 1004.02, 1004.91, 1004.93 FS. History–12-19-74, Formerly 6A-8.50, Amended 8-27-84, 8-29-85, Formerly 6A-14.30, Amended 5-14-91, 11-10-92, 5-2-95, 2-13-96, 12-30-99, 5-3-01, 7-20-04, 6-20-07, 3-25-13, 6-23-16,

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Madeline Pumariega, Chancellor, Florida College System.

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

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: April 11, 2017

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: March 31, 2017