STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
April 15, 2003
SUBJECT:
Timeline for Community College Bachelor’s Degrees
PROPOSED BOARD ACTION
Approve the recommendations of the Commissioner of Education related to a timeline for State Board of
Education acceptance, consideration, and approval of community college baccalaureate degree proposals
submitted pursuant to section 1007.33, Florida Statutes, (F.S.).
AUTHORITY FOR STATE BOARD ACTION
Section 1007.33, F.S., titled “Site-determined baccalaureate degree access”.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Section 1007.33, F.S., specifies the State Board of Education’s authority to approve community college
baccalaureate degrees. The statute further speaks to the involvement of the Council for Education Policy
Research and Improvement (CEPRI) in reviewing and commenting on the proposals. The statute does
not, however, speak to a timeframe for acceptance and approval of said proposals. Consequently, the
State Board and CEPRI have reacted to proposals as they have been received rather than in a planned
manner.
With input from CEPRI staff, the Commissioner recommends the following schedule for the acceptance,
consideration, and approval of community college proposals for baccalaureate degrees:
Colleges Submit Proposals and CEPRI Reviews
June 1
?
Community college transmits to Commissioner and CEPRI a
Letter of Intent
to submit a proposal
•
?
This planning action gives the SBE and CEPRI an early idea of
potential proposals and new programs that may need to be considered
in agenda and budget development conversations.
August 1
Deadline for proposals to be submitted to Commissioner and CEPRI
•
?
This action establishes a fixed deadline date by which all final
proposals must be officially received.
November 1
?
Deadline for CEPRI to transmit completed review and comments to
Commissioner
•
?
This evaluation action allows CEPRI to take up to three months
(August through October) to review, comment and take action on the
proposals.
SBE Hears Presentations and Considers Recommendations
Jan or Feb
SBE hears presentation by community college, takes testimony from
CEPRI, considers Commissioner’s recommendation(s), and takes action
•
?
The month of December -- between when CEPRI provides their
comments and when the SBE takes action – provides the
Commissioner and his staff an opportunity to develop the
Commissioner’s recommendations for the State Board.
•
?
State Board consideration and action during the months of January or
February – before the start of Legislative Session -- gives the State
Board time to amend a budget request or build a legislative agenda
item in response to action on community college proposals, if so
desired.
Funds Released Based on Approved “Letters of Agreement”
June 30
?
Letters of Agreement (a.k.a., “LOAs”, outline specific performance and
accountability requirements) are drafted and signed by all appropriate parties
based on action of SBE
•
?
The Regular Legislative Session (and any potential new dollars to
support newly-approved degree programs) will end in May.
•
?
The period of time between State Board action (Jan/Feb) and the start
of a new fiscal year (July 1) allows the Commissioner and respective
community colleges and universities to develop Letters of Agreement
that reflect State Board action and potentially any appropriated dollars
provided during Session.
July 1
?
First day of fiscal year when appropriated funds may be transmitted to
institutions based on status of LOAs
The proposed process provides a planning guideline for activities that need to occur when community
colleges submit proposals to grant baccalaureate degrees. The process provides for CEPRI review and
comment prior to State Board action, a window of State Board action during the months of January or
February, and flexibility for legislative action and/or budget revision.
Supporting Documentation Included:
None
Commissioner Jim Horne
Facilitators/Presenters: