Incorporate the state uniform transfer of students in the middle grades procedures (Rule 6A-1.09942, F.A.C.) into the state uniform transfer of high school credit procedures (Rule 6A-1.09941, F.A.C.) This rule will incorporate significant portions ...

 

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

State Board of Education

RULE NO.: RULE TITLE:

6A-1.09941 State Uniform Transfer of High School Credits

6A-1.09942  State Uniform Transfer of Students in the Middle Grades

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: Incorporate the state uniform transfer of students in the middle grades procedures (Rule 6A-1.09942, F.A.C.) into the state uniform transfer of high school credit procedures (Rule 6A-1.09941, F.A.C.) This rule will incorporate significant portions of Rule 6A-1.09942, F.A.C., which will be repealed.

SUMMARY: Align the rule requirements for the uniform procedures relating to the acceptance of transfer work and credit for students entering Florida’s public schools in the middle grades and high school.

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 2) based on past experiences with rules that affect individual students and their families in an educational setting and have no impact on small businesses, the adverse impact or regulatory cost, if any, do not exceed nor would be expected to exceed any one of the economic analysis criteria set forth in s. 120.541(2)(a), F.S.

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, 1003.25, 1003.4156, 1003.4282, FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 1003.25, 1003.4282, FS.

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

DATE AND TIME: July 17, 2017, 2:00 p.m.

PLACE: Room LL03, The Capitol, 400 South Monroe Street, Tallahassee, Florida.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Helen Lancashire, School Counseling Liaison, Bureau of Standards and Instructional Support, Department of Education, [phone] or email: [e-mail].

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

6A-1.09941 State Uniform Transfer of Students in Middle Grades and High School Credits.

The purpose of this rule is to establish uniform procedures relating to the acceptance of transfer work and credit for students entering Florida’s public schools. Effective July 1, 2013, the procedures shall be as follows:

(1) The procedures relating to the acceptance of transfer work and courses for students in middle grades 6, 7, and 8 from out of state or out of country shall be as follows:

(a) Grades earned and offered for acceptance shall be based on official transcripts and shall be accepted at face value subject to validation if required by the receiving school’s accreditation. If validation of the official transcript is deemed necessary, or if the student does not possess an official transcript or is a home education student, successful completion of courses shall be validated through performance during the first grading period as outlined in paragraph (1)(b) of this rule.

(b) Validation of courses shall be based on performance in classes at the receiving school. A student transferring into a school shall be placed at the appropriate sequential course level and should be passing each required course at the end of the first grading period. Students who do not meet this requirement shall have courses validated using the Alternative Validation Procedure, as outlined in paragraph (1)(c) of this rule.

(c) Alternative Validation Procedure. If validation based on performance as described above is not satisfactory, then any one of the following alternatives identified in the district student progression plan shall be used for validation purposes as determined by the teacher, principal and parent:

1. Portfolio evaluation by the superintendent or designee;

2. Demonstrated performance in courses taken at other public or private accredited schools;

3. Demonstrated proficiencies on nationally normed standardized subject area assessments;

4. Demonstrated proficiencies on a statewide, standardized assessment; or

5. Written review of the criteria utilized for a given subject provided by the former school.

(2) The procedures relating to the acceptance of transfer work and credits for students in high school from out of state or out of country shall be as follows:

(a)(1) Credits and grades earned and offered for acceptance shall be based on official transcripts and shall be accepted at face value subject to validation if required by the receiving school’s accreditation. If validation of the official transcript is deemed necessary, or if the student does not possess an official transcript or is a home education student, credits shall be validated through performance during the first grading period as outlined in paragraph (2)(b) subsection (2) of this rule. Assessment requirements for transfer students under Section 1003.4282, F.S., must be satisfied.

(b)(2) Validation of credits shall be based on performance in classes at the receiving school. A student transferring into a school shall be placed at the appropriate sequential course level and should have a minimum grade point average of 2.0 at the end of the first grading period. Students who do not meet this requirement shall have credits validated using the Alternative Validation Procedure, as outlined in paragraph (2)(c) subsection (3) of this rule.

(c) (3) Alternative Validation Procedure. If validation based on performance as described above is not satisfactory, then any one of the following alternatives shall be used for validation purposes as determined by the teacher, principal, and parent:

1.(a) Portfolio evaluation by the superintendent or designee;

2.(b) Written recommendation by a Florida certified teacher selected by the parent and approved by the principal;

3.(c) Satisfactory performance in courses taken through dual enrollment or at other public or private accredited schools;

4.(d) Satisfactory performance on nationally normed nationally-normed standardized subject area assessments;

5.(e) Satisfactory performance on a statewide, standardized assessment; or

6.(f) Written review of the criteria utilized for a given subject provided by the former school.

Students must be provided at least ninety (90) days from date of transfer to prepare for assessments outlined in paragraphs (1)(c)3. and 4. and (2)(c)4. and 5 (3)(d) and (e) of this rule if required.

Rulemaking Authority 1003.25, 1003.4156,1003.4282 FS. Law Implemented 1003.25, 1003.4282 FS. History–New 8-28-00, Formerly 6-1.099, Amended 9-22-03, 4-30-12, 3-25-14,

 

6A-1.09942 State Uniform Transfer of Students in the Middle Grades.

Rulemaking Authority 1003.4156(4), 1003.25(3) FS. Law Implemented 1003.25(3) FS. History–New 10-20-08, Repealed____.

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Hershel Lyons, Chancellor, K-12 Public Schools.

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

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: June 14, 2017

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: April 14, 2017