6A-1.099814. Principal Autonomy Program Initiative

(1) Purpose. The purpose of this rule is to set forth the requirements for the principal autonomy pilot program pursuant to section 1011.6202, F.S.

(2) Definitions. For the purpose of this rule, the following definitions apply:

(a) “Leadership team” means a 4-6 member team comprised of the principal and other individuals selected by the principal, such as a district administrator, school administrator, instructional coach or teacher leader.

(b) “Nationally recognized school turnaround program” means a program that has at least five (5) years of evidence-based success in improving student achievement in low performing schools.

(3) Application Process. District school boards seeking to participate in the program shall submit an application that meets the requirements of subsection (5) of this rule, to the Florida Department of Education (Department) by the December 1.

(4) Eligibility Requirements.

(a)The district must maintain a general fund ending balance that is sufficient to address normal contingencies, in accordance with section 1011.051, F.S., and not have had its ending fund balance fall below two (2) percent during the previous three (3) fiscal years.

(b) Provide assurance that the assigned principal has earned the school principal certification, awarded pursuant to rule 6A-4.0083, F.A.C and has earned a highly effective rating on the prior year’s performance evaluation pursuant to section 1012.34, F.S., at the current school site.

(5) Application Requirements. The district application, at a minimum, shall:

(a) Identify three (3) schools that received at least two (2) school grades of “D” or “F” pursuant to section 1008.34, F.S., during the previous three (3) school years, and are not implementing a State Board of Education-approved turnaround plan under rule 6A-1.099811, F.A.C.;

(b) For each school, include the following components:

1. The school’s mission statement;

2. The participating school’s student population;

3. A rationale for including each school in the application;

4. Description of the educational strengths and needs for student achievement growth that impact the school grade, including any achievement gaps that may exist, and identify how student achievement can be improved in these areas;

5. The methods used to identify the educational strengths and needs of the students at each participating school, and a summary of the needs assessment results;

6. Performance targets for school grade components outlined in section 1008.34(3)(b), F.S., that will result in an improved grade of “C” or higher at each participating school by the end of the three (3) year term;

7. Identify the names, area(s) of strength, and area(s) for growth of the highly effective principal(s) assigned to each participating school;

8. Identify the names, position titles, and rationale for each member of the 4-6 person leadership team identified by each participating principal who will enroll in the school turnaround program;

9. Describe the current financial and administrative management of each participating school;

10. Describe the areas in which each participating principal will have increased fiscal and administrative autonomy, including the authority and responsibilities provided in section 1012.28(8), F.S., that includes a rationale of how the increased autonomy will help the selected schools improve student achievement and school management;

11. Provide assurance that each participating school will receive at least ninety (90) percent of the funds generated by the school based upon the Florida Education Finance Program and General Appropriations Act pursuant to section 1011.69(2), F.S.;

12. A description of the areas in which each participating school will continue to follow district school board fiscal and administrative policies.

(c) Identify the nationally recognized school turnaround program which the school district will utilize and provide documentation that the program:

1. Has at least five (5) years of demonstrated success increasing student achievement in low-performing schools; and,

2. Focuses on improving leadership, instructional infrastructure, talent management, and differentiated support and accountability;

(6) Application Approval Criteria. The State Board shall approve a district proposal when the proposal:

(a) Is submitted by the Department’s prescribed deadline;

(b) Fulfills the requirements of subsection (5) of this rule; and,

(c) Is found by the State Board of Education to create the conditions necessary to meet the school district’s performance goals established pursuant to paragraph (5) of this rule, for each participating school.

(7) Term of Approval and Revocation.

(a) A successful district proposal shall receive approval for a period of three (3) years.

(b) If a school district fails to submit any of the requirements mandated by subsection (8) of this rule, the State Board shall, after the second request following the deadline, revoke the school district’s authorization to participate in the program.

(8) Program Reporting and Evaluation. By September 15, the school district shall submit an annual report to the Department on the implementation of the program that includes, at minimum:

(a) Progress made toward performance targets established in subparagraph (5)(b)6. of this rule;

(b) Documentation of professional development activities teachers participated in that are designed to assist the school in reaching the performance targets established in (5)(b)6. of this rule;

(c) A summary of key learnings from the nationally recognized school turnaround program and changes in teacher and leader practice or policies that resulted.

Rulemaking Authority 1011.6202 FS. Law Implemented 1011.6202 FS. History–New 2-20-17, Amended 8-21-18.