FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
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STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
F. PHILIP HANDY,
Chairman
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T. WILLARD FAIR,
Vice Chairman
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Members
SALLY B RADSHAW
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LINDA J. E ADS, ED.D.
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CHARLES PATRICK G ARCÍA
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JULIA L. J OHNSON
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WILLIAM L. P ROCTOR, PH.D.
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MEMORANDUM
CONTACT PERSONS
Name:
Mary Jo Butler
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Phone:
(850) 245-0479
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Suncom:
205-0479
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Email:
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maryjo.butler@fldoe.org
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Name:
Rose Raynak
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Phone:
(850) 245-9020
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Suncom:
205-9020
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Email:
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rose.raynak@fldoe.org
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JIM HORNE
Commissioner of Education
Name:
Mike Tremor
Phone:
(850) 245-0423
Suncom:
205-0423
Email:
michael.tremor@fldoe.org
DPS:
04-001
To:
District School Superintendents
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From:
Jim Warford
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Date:
June 30, 2003
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Subject:
LEGISLATIVE CHANGES IN HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION – SENATE BILL 30A
The 2003 Legislature amended several laws related to high school graduation requirements. The
purpose of these amendments is to provide students with accelerated high school graduation options,
align the number of university admission credits with these accelerated options, and modify the general
requirements for high school graduation. Beginning with the 2003-2004 school year, high school students
will have three options for high school graduation. (See “Online Sunshine,” the Florida Legislature’s
Internet site, at www.leg.state.fl.us for a copy of Senate Bill 30A sections 10, 12, and 13.)
Department staff is developing technical assistance materials with input from district staff to provide
guidance with implementation of this legislation. Please note that these accelerated high school
graduation options must be included in your 2003-2004 student progression plan. Additional information
regarding these provisions will be available in the near future.
JIM WARFORD
K – 12 Chancellor
325 W. GAINES STREET • SUITE 514 • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-0509 • www.fldoe.org
Legislative Changes in High School Graduation
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June 30, 2003
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Page Two
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This legislation amended Section 1003.02, Florida Statutes (District school board operation and control of
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public K12 education within the school district.--), to require that at the beginning of each school year, each
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school district must notify parents of students in or entering high school of the opportunity and benefits of
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advanced placement, International Baccalaureate, Advanced International Certificate of Education, dual
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enrollment, and Florida Virtual School courses.
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This legislation created Section 1003.429, Florida Statutes (Accelerated high school graduation options.--),
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to require that beginning with the 2003-2004 school year, each district school board must provide students
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in grades six through twelve and their parents with the three-year and four-year high school graduation
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options, including curriculum for students and parents to select the postsecondary education or career plan
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that best fits their needs. Selection of one of the graduation options is exclusively up to the student and
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parent. If the student and parent fail to select a graduation option, the student shall be considered to have
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selected the general requirements for the four-year high school graduation option. The law does prohibit
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district school boards from establishing requirements for the accelerated three-year high school graduation
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options in excess of the required 18 credits. Regardless of which graduation option students and parents
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select, students must also earn passing scores on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT)
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and achieve a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale in order to earn a standard diploma.
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Summary of High School Graduation Options
Four-year standard graduation requirements (minimum of 24 credits – no change from current
requirements including flexibility for completion of additional requirements prescribed by district school
board):
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4 credits in English (major concentration in composition and literature)
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3 credits in math (must include Algebra I)
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3 credits in science (two of which must include a lab component)
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1 credit in American history
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1 credit in world history
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.5 credit in economics
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.5 credit in American government
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1 credit in practical arts career and technical education or performing fine arts; or .5 credit each in
practical arts career and technical education and performing fine arts
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.5 credit in life management skills
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1 credit in physical education
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8.5 credits in electives
Three-year standard college preparatory program (18 credits):
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4 credits in English (major concentration in composition and literature)
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3 credits in math (Algebra I or higher)
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3 credits in science (two of which must include a lab component)
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3 credits in social sciences
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2 credits in same second language or demonstrated proficiency in another language
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3 credits in electives
Legislative Changes in High School Graduation
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June 30, 2003
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Page Three
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Three-year career preparatory program (18 credits):
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4 credits in English (major concentration in composition and literature)
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3 credits in math (must include Algebra I)
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3 credits in science (two of which must include a lab component)
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3 credits in social sciences
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2 credits in same second language or demonstrated proficiency in another language
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3 credits in electives
The two new accelerated options require fewer credits but concentrate on more academic courses than the
current four-year standard diploma. Both of the new options reduce the number of elective courses and
require students to take two credits in foreign language. The college preparatory program also requires
completion of three mathematics courses, all of which must be at the Algebra I level and higher.
Bright Futures
The new acceleration options for graduation align with the appropriate course requirements for earning a
Florida Bright Futures Scholarship. See the financial aid website for specific details at
www.FloridaStudentFinancial.org.
Amendments to Minimum State University System Admission Requirements
In addition to amending high school graduation requirements, the legislation also amended Section
1007.261, Florida Statutes (State universities; admissions of students.--), to require that students must
successfully complete a college-preparatory curriculum of 18 credits to meet the minimum academic
standards for undergraduate admission to a state university, instead of the current 19 credits. The
number of required electives was reduced from four to three.
The number of English, math, science, social science, foreign language, and elective credits within the
three-year standard college preparatory program aligns with the minimum state university admissions
standards listed in current law. High school counselors must continue to encourage students interested
in pursuing university studies to take the designated courses within these categories regardless of
whether students choose the three or four year graduation option.
In Summary
The three graduation options are simply options. Each student and his or her parents must select the
graduation option and curriculum that most appropriately prepares the student for his or her
postsecondary education or career plan. Students and parents should consider the benefits of other
acceleration opportunities, such as dual enrollment, advanced placement, early admission, and the
International Baccalaureate program. Students and parents are encouraged to discuss these plans with
their school counselor on a regular basis in grades 6-12.
Information found within publications and on websites is currently being updated. The
Florida Counseling
for Future Education Handbook
is recommended for use in advising students seeking admission to
Florida’s postsecondary institutions and can be viewed online from the Department of Education’s
website at www.fldoe.org. Under the search menu, select Alphabetical Listing, and then scroll down on
the second menu bar to the
Florida Counseling for Future Education Handbook
. A newer version of the
Handbook
currently is being edited and will contain the updated information regarding new graduation
requirements.
Legislative Changes in High School Graduation
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June 30, 2003
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Page Four
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If you have questions or need additional information regarding K12 curriculum, instruction, or guidance
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services, please contact Mary Jo Butler or Mike Tremor. If you have questions regarding career and
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technical education programs, please contact Rose Raynak.
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If you have questions regarding community college and state university system admissions, please
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contact Heather Sherry at (850) 245-0407 or by email at heather.sherry@fldoe.org, Nell Kelly at (850)
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245-0467 or by email at nell.kelly@fldoe.org, or Lynda Page at (850) 245-0467 or by email at
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lynda.page@fldoe.org.
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JW:mjbo
cc:
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Assistant Superintendents for Instruction
Student Services Directors
Guidance Supervisors
Directors of Secondary Education
Middle School Principals
High School Principals
Local Vocational Directors
Adult Education Directors
Occupational Deans
