To align the rule with changes in House Bill 7069. The effect is a rule aligned with Florida Statutes.

 

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

State Board of Education

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

6A-10.019Required Annual Calendar for Schools and Colleges

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: To align the rule with changes in House Bill 7069. The effect is a rule aligned with Florida Statutes.

SUMMARY: Revises the rule to reflect statutory provisions resulting from House Bill 7069.

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: There is no associated cost with the changes made to this 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: 1001.02(1), FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 1001.02(6), FS.

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

DATE AND TIME: May 20, 2016, 9:00 a.m.

PLACE: DoubleTree by Hilton, 5780 Major Blvd., Orlando, Florida 32819

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

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

6A-10.019 Required Annual Calendar for Schools and Colleges.

Each Florida College System institution district school board, each community college district board of trustees, and each university board of trustees shall prior to the beginning of each fiscal year adopt an annual calendar which shall be observed by the institution all schools or post high school educational institutions operated by said board.

(1) Each board shall adopt a calendar that supports the following objectives:

(a) Minimal loss of time between student exit from one public institution and entry into another. Students who complete a phase of their education in one public institution and who need to transfer to another public institution to continue their education should be able to do so without prolonged delay.

(b) Opportunity for students to move through the educational system at their respective paces. Calendars should not be based on the assumption that all students will initiate and complete learning activities at the same pace.

(c) Opportunity for school personnel to utilize in-service and continuing education.

(c)(d) Opportunity for effective and efficient utilization of resources. School plants and school personnel should not have prolonged periods during which they are idle.

(d)(e) Opportunity for family activities.

(e)(f) Flexibility in implementation of calendar decisions.

(2) The calendar adopted by each Florida College System institution community college board of trustees and each university board of trustees shall include at least the following statewide requirements:

(a) Unless an exception is granted by the Chancellor of the Florida College System Department of Education, as appropriate, three (3) common entry periods shall be established so that the first day of classes will fall on or within each of the three (3) periods listed below:

1. August 10 and August 31 The first three (3) weekdays after August 22.

2. January 2 and January 11 The first three (3) weekdays after January 4.

3. May 1 and May 16 The first three (3) weekdays after May 5.

(b) In addition to the three (3) common entry periods prescribed in this section, each calendar shall include the following:

1. Pre-established dates for issuing certificates, diplomas, or degrees which will permit students to utilize the entry period which minimizes the loss of time to students in completing the transfer between programs or institutions.

2. A summer program for teachers and other school personnel scheduled to begin no earlier than June 15 and close no later than August 15; provided, however, that this requirement shall apply only to each postsecondary educational institution offering programs for in-service teachers.

3. As many additional periods throughout the fiscal year in which a student can begin a program as can be feasibly provided.

(3) An official copy of the annual calendar adopted by each Florida College System institution school board, community college board of trustees, and the university board of trustees for each school or institution operated by said boards shall be filed with the Department in the manner prescribed by the Commissioner.

Rulemaking Authority 1001.02(1), (2)(n), (6) 1006.50, 1007.01 FS. Law Implemented 1001.02(6), 1001.03, 1001.42 FS. History–New 6-17-74, Repromulgated 12-5-74, Amended 3-27-80, 7-7-83, 2-19-84, Formerly 6A-10.19, Amended 12-18-05,

 

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: March 21, 2016

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: January 27, 2016