The purpose of this rule amendment is to revise the postsecondary course equivalency to the competencies contained in two credits of secondary foreign language. The effect changes the equivalency from 8-10 semester credits to completion of a ...

 

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

State Board of Education

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

6A-10.02412Foreign Language Competence and Equivalence

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of this rule amendment is to revise the postsecondary course equivalency to the competencies contained in two credits of secondary foreign language. The effect changes the equivalency from 8-10 semester credits to completion of a postsecondary course at the elementary 2 level and authorize the Florida College System (FCS) institution to establish other mechanisms to determine completion.

SUMMARY: The rule updates community colleges to FCS institutions. It changes the requirement in one foreign language from 8-10 semester credits to competence at the elementary 2 level. It removes the language regarding the use of the College Level Examination Program in favor of the award of credit pursuant to Section 1007.27(3), Florida Statutes. It removes an outdated MAPS Latin exam. The rule authorizes FCS institutions to use other mechanisms to indicate competence in one foreign language.

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: The proposed rule applies only to FCS institutions and provides more specificity to an existing degree requirement. Implementation of the rule will not require an increase in staff either at the Department of Education nor the FCS institution, as the fiscal impact to the institution will be minimal.

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), 1007.262 FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 1001.02, 1007.261 FS.

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

DATE AND TIME: May 20, 2014, 8:30 a.m. (CST)

PLACE: Santa Rosa School Board Office, 5086 Canal Street, Milton, FL 32570

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Matthew Bouck, Office of Articulation, Department of Education, 325 West Gaines Street, Room 1401, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

6A-10.02412 Foreign Language Competence and Equivalence.

The provisions herein shall be used by Florida College System institutions community colleges and universities to determine equivalency, pursuant to in the university admission requirement in Section 1007.262, Florida Statutes, between for two (2) credits in one (1) foreign language at the secondary level and or the equivalent at the postsecondary level.

(1) No change.

(2) Completion of a postsecondary course at the elementary 2 level Eight (8) to ten (10) semester credits in one (1) foreign language or American Sign Language (ASL) at the postsecondary level shall be considered to produce the competence specified in subsection (1) herein. Therefore, students who have earned at least eight (8) semester credits in one (1) foreign language at the postsecondary level shall have met the foreign language requirement for university admission. Credit awarded on the basis of scores on the foreign language subject matter examinations in the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) pursuant to paragraph 6A-10.024(6)(b), F.A.C., shall count toward the eight (8) to ten (10) semester credits. The examination, minimum scores for awarding credit, and minimum credit to be awarded are:

 

		Minimum		Minimum
French
Level 1	50		3
Level 2	62		6
German
Level 1	50		3
Level 2	63		6
Spanish
Level 1	50		3
Level 2	66		6

 

(3) Students may demonstrate completion of the competencies specified in subsection (1) herein by other means as determined by the Florida College System institution. An alternate method for students to demonstrate equivalent foreign language competence is by means of a minimum score of four hundred forty-three (443) on the Latin examination published under the title of MAPS by The College Board, which represents the 1985 national mean of college bound seniors minus one (1) standard deviation. For students to demonstrate equivalent foreign language competence by examination in foreign languages not listed herein, the examinations and standards may be determined by the institution.

Rulemaking Specific Authority 1001.02(1), 1007.262 FS. Law Implemented 1001.02, 1007.261, 1007.262 FS. History–New 2-23-88, Amended 10-17-89, 11-13-90, 10-4-93, 11-21-05,___________.

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Matthew Bouck, Director, Office of Articulation

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

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: April 18, 2014

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: December 16, 2013