FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
�
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
F. PHILIP HANDY,
Chairman
€
T. WILLARD FAIR,
Vice Chairman
€
Members
SALLY B RADSHAW
€
LINDA J. E ADS, ED.D.
€
CHARLES PATRICK G ARCÍA
€
JULIA L. J OHNSON
€
WILLIAM L. P ROCTOR, PH.D.
€
MEMORANDUM
€
To:
District School Superintendents
€
From:
Betty Coxe
€
Date:
June 5, 2003
€
Subject:
DEFINITION OF CREDIT
€
JIM HORNE
Commissioner of Education
CONTACT PERSONS
NAME:
Mary Jo Butler
Mike Tremor
PHONE:
(850) 245-0479
(850) 245-0423
E-MAIL:
maryjo.butler@fldoe.org
michael.tremor@fldoe.org
DPS:
03-087
According to section 1003.436, Florida Statutes (Definition of credit), for the purposes of
requirements for high school graduation, one full credit means a minimum of 135 hours of bona fide
instruction in a designated course of study that contains student performance standards. This
definition provides the parameters for developing a course and the amount of curriculum and content
that must be mastered before a student is awarded credit for the course. For the purposes of course
design, statutes require that courses should be developed that would take most students
approximately 135 hours to complete under most circumstances.
Florida law also references flexible options that differ from traditional educational programs in
scheduling, administrative structure, curriculum, alternative teaching methodologies, and learning
activities in order to more effectively meet the needs, interests, and abilities of students. This
includes modified curriculum, summer school, and other methods for improving student
achievement.
BETTY COXE
Deputy Chancellor
325 W. GAINES STREET • SUITE 501 • T
ALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 413-0555 • www.fldoe.org
District School Superintendents
€
June 5, 2003
€
Page Two
€
Therefore, a student may be awarded credit for less than 135 hours of instruction if he or she
€
has demonstrated mastery of the course requirements and Sunshine State Standards as
€
provided by the school district student progression plan. This clarification includes awarding
€
credit for courses taken in summer school, through performance-based instruction, block
€
scheduling, or course modifications that combine courses. The district school board must
€
establish policies for these non-traditional programs and must verify student achievement of the
€
course requirements in accordance with the state high school grading system.
€
If a school combines two courses for multiple credit during a single instructional period, it is
€
recommended that the combination be approved by the school board after analysis of the
€
course modifications and assurance that the course requirements and appropriate Sunshine
€
State Standards for each of the courses integrated are included in the combination and that the
€
combined course is taught by instructors with appropriate certification.
€
If you have questions or need additional information, please contact Mike Tremor at (850) 245-
€
0423 or Mary Jo Butler at (850) 245-0479.
€
BC:mjb
€
cc:
?
Assistant Superintendents for Instruction
Student Services Directors
Dropout Prevention Coordinators