1. MEMORANDUM
      2. Subject: HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION OPTIONS – SENATE BILL 30A
  1. Questions and Answers
  2. Graduation Test Requirement
  3. Grade Point Averages (GPAs) and Class Ranking
  4. Selection of Coursework—General
  5. Selection of Coursework—Algebra
    1. program?
    2. graduation programs?
    3. graduation programs?
    4. 15. How can proficiency be documented in the same second language?
  6. • High School Academic
  7. Evaluations
  8. • High School Course Planning
  9. • Ways to Earn College Credit
  10. • Bright Futures Scholarship
  11. Information
  12. • Transcripts and grades
  13. • Career and College Planning
  14. • Degree Program Search
  15. • College Catalogs
  16. • E-Admissions Applications
  17. • Financial Aid Applications
  18. • College Degree Audits
  19. • College Transfer Tools
  20.  
  21. ... and much more!
      1. It’s easy. Just follow these steps:
  22. Florida’s New High School Graduation
  23. Options
  24. SB 30A: The Quality Education Act
  25. Senate Bill 30A: The Quality Education Act
  26. Education Act
  27. Students are required to:
  28. Three-year College Preparatory Program
  29. Three-year Career Preparatory Program
  30. Three-year Graduation Programs
  31. Three-year Graduation Programs
  32. Three-year Graduation Programs
  33. Three-year Graduation Programs
  34. Three-year Graduation Program
  35. Not Required Not Required 1.0 credit PE
  36. 3.0 credits with 2 labs
  37. 3.0 credits with 2 labs
  38. 3.0 credits with 2 labs
  39. Science
  40. 3.0 credits including Algebra I
  41. 3.0 credits including Algebra I or
  42. higher
  43. 3.0 credits including Algebra I
  44. Math
  45. 4.0 credits 4.0 credits 4.0 credits English
  46. 18-Credit
  47. Career Prep (must meetFGSV award)
  48. 18-Credit
  49. College Prep (must meet SUS admissions)
  50. 24-Credit
  51. Standard
  52. 3.0 credits 3.0 credits 8.5 credits Electives
  53. Not required Not required .5 credit LMS
  54. Not required Not required RequiredFine/
  55. Prac.Art
  56. 2.0 credits 2.0 creditsNot Required
  57. Foreign Language
  58.  
  59. World History, Econ, and American
  60. Government)
  61. Social Studies
  62. Would you like more information regarding?
  63. In a Nutshell-Parents and students should consider

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
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STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
JIM HORNE
Commissioner of Education
F. PHILIP HANDY,
Chairman
T. WILLARD FAIR,
Vice Chairman
Members
SALLY BRADSHAW
LINDA J. EADS, ED.D.
CHARLES PATRICK GARCÍA
JULIA L. JOHNSON
WILLIAM L. PROCTOR, PH.D.
CONTACT PERSONS
Name: Mary Jo Butler
Phone: (850) 245-0479
Suncom: 205-0479
Email:
Name: Mike Tremor
Phone: (850) 245-0423
Suncom: 205-0423
Email:
maryjo.butler@fldoe.org
michael.tremor@fldoe.org
Name: Rose Raynak
DPS:
04-015
Phone: (850) 245-9020
Suncom: 205-9020
Email:
rose.raynak@fldoe.org
MEMORANDUM
To:
District School Superintendents
From:
Jim Warford
Date:
August 21, 2003
Subject: HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION OPTIONS – SENATE BILL 30A
The 2003 Legislature amended several laws related to high school graduation requirements. The first set
of technical assistance materials related to the implementation of the accelerated graduation options was
distributed via DPS Memo #04-004, dated July 7, 2003. Department staff, representing the K-20 system,
continues to develop additional materials to provide guidance to you and your staff for implementing this
legislation in 2003-2004.
Please find enclosed the technical assistance paper, “High School Graduation Options 2003-2004,”
developed to provide further assistance related to the new legislation. The purpose of this document is to
provide more specific information and to address issues and concerns identified by school district staff.
JIM WARFORD
K – 12 Chancellor
325 W. GAINES STREET • SUITE 514 • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-0509 • www.fldoe.org

High School Graduation Options – Senate Bill 30A
August 21, 2003
Page Two
This technical assistance paper and related documents include
technical assistance paper, including a question and answer section
FACTS.org brochure (Other promotional items can be downloaded at FACTS.org website. See
Marketing and Promotional Materials.”
)
Slide presentation that can be used for staff development for middle and high school
counselors.
Our staff is available to provide guidance and technical assistance as you and your staff address these
new graduation options in 2003-2004. We look forward to assisting you with this implementation. If you
have questions or need additional information regarding K12 curriculum, instruction, or guidance services,
please contact Mary Jo Butler or Mike Tremor. If you have questions regarding career and technical
education programs, please contact Rose Raynak. If you have questions regarding community college,
please contact Heather Sherry at (850) 245-0407 or by email at heather.sherry@fldoe.org. If you have
questions regarding state university system admissions, please contact Nell Kelly at (850) 245-0467 or by
email at nell.kelly@fldoe.org, or Lynda Page at (850) 245-0467 or by email at lynda.page@fldoe.org.
JW:mjbo
Enclosure
cc:
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Assistant Superintendents for Instruction
Student Services Directors
Exceptional Student Education Directors
Guidance Supervisors
Directors of Secondary Education
Middle School Principals
High School Principals
Local Vocational Directors
Adult Education Directors
Occupational Deans
JIM WARFORD
K – 12 Chancellor
325
W GAINES STREET
SUITE 514 TALLAHASSEE FL 32399 0400 (850) 245 0509 fld

Paper Number: FY 2004-02
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August 2003
312102
Technical Assistance Paper
High School Graduation Programs 2003-2004
The 2003 Legislature passed Senate Bill 30A to amend several laws related to high school
graduation. The purposes of these amendments are to provide students with accelerated high
school graduation programs and align the number of university admission credits with these new
options.
The goal of the Legislature is that students and their parents have the opportunity to select the
graduation option that will most appropriately prepare students for their chosen postsecondary
path. To that end, the following options have been established:
a four-year, 24-credit standard program (Sections 1003.429(1)(a) and 1003.43 Florida
Statutes)
a three-year, 18-credit standard college preparatory program (Section 1003.429(1)(b),
Florida Statutes)
a three-year, 18-credit career preparatory program (Section 1003.429(1)(c), Florida
Statutes).
This legislation
amends Section 1003.02, Florida Statutes (District school board operation and control of
public K12 education within the school district.—), to require that at the beginning of
each school year, each school district must notify parents of students in or entering high
school of the opportunity and benefits of advanced placement, International Baccalaure-
ate, Advanced International Certificate of Education, dual enrollment, and Florida Virtual
School courses
creates Section 1003.429, Florida Statutes (Accelerated high school graduation
options.—), to require that, beginning with the 2003-2004 school year, each district
school board must provide each student in grades six through twelve and their parents
with the three-year and four-year high school graduation options, including curriculum
for students and parents to select the postsecondary education or career plan that best fits
their needs; this includes students graduating in 2004
REFER QUESTIONS TO:
Mary Jo Butler
Intervention & Prevention Services
325 West Gaines Street, Room 614
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0400
maryjo.butler@fldoe.org
850/245-0479
?
Jim Horne, Commissioner
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PAPERS (TAPs) are produced periodically by
the Bureau of Instructional Support and Community Services to present
discussion of current topics. The TAPs may be used for inservice sessions,
technical assistance visits, parent organization meetings, or interdisciplinary
discussion groups. Topics are identified by state steering committees, district
personnel, and individuals, or from program compliance monitoring.
BUREAU OF INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT AND COMMUNITY SERVICES

amends 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.
To graduate with a standard diploma, students must earn passing scores on the Florida Compre-
hensive Assessment Test (FCAT), achieve a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale,
and successfully complete credits in the required number and distribution.

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Questions and Answers
Selection of Graduation Programs/Options
1.
?
Can districts establish and enforce a deadline for selection of a graduation program?
Yes. At the time of the initial selection, a district can establish and enforce a reasonable
deadline by which a student and his or her parents must select a graduation program or be
considered to have selected the four-year general requirements for graduation. A district can
also establish and enforce such a deadline for periodic opportunities to revisit the selection
and for the “final” determination of a student’s graduation program.
2.
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Can students attend school on a part-time basis in order to meet the requirements of
one of the three-year graduation programs?
No. A student choosing one of the three-year graduation programs must attend high school
as a full-time student for three full school years, which may include summer school. The
only exceptions to this policy are fourth-year students in the 2003-2004 school year who
have already completed three years as full-time students and may be allowed, consistent with
district policy, to attend school on a part-time basis to complete the credits required by one of
the three-year graduation programs by the end of the first semester.
3.
?
Does the new law allow districts to offer a three-year graduation program for students
working toward a special diploma?
No. The new law provides that students may select one of three high school graduation
programs in order to earn a standard high school diploma. There is no provision for a three-
year special diploma program for students with disabilities since these students are entitled to
remain in school through the year in which they turn 21 or graduate with a standard diploma.
4.
?
Can districts offer the three-year graduation programs to adult students working
toward an adult standard diploma?
No. Individuals participating in the adult standard diploma program are not eligible to
choose one of the three-year, 18-credit high school graduation programs since the new statute
only provides the three-year graduation programs for students in grades 9-12. However,
these students should already be provided a variety of options designed to reduce the amount
2
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of time needed to meet their graduation requirements as provided for Section 1003.43(6),
Florida Statutes (General requirements for high school graduation.—).

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Graduation Test Requirement
5.
?
When may a student participate in the Grade 10 FCAT in order to meet graduation
requirements for one of the three-year programs?
Only students classified by the district as 10th grade students or above are eligible to partici-
pate in the Grade 10 FCAT. Students choosing one of the three-year graduation programs
will have four opportunities to earn passing scores on the Grade 10 FCAT, beginning with the
March administration during their second year in high school. Regardless of which gradua-
tion program a student and his or her parents select, the student must earn passing scores on
the Grade 10 FCAT to be eligible for a standard diploma.
6.
?
Can a student who has selected one of the three-year graduation programs utilize an
alternate assessment as outlined in House Bill 23B to meet the FCAT requirement?
Not unless the legislature extends the policy by formal action. House Bill 23-B authorized
the Commissioner of Education to study alternate assessments to determine their concor-
dance with the Grade 10 FCAT. The Legislature amended Section 1008.22, Florida Statutes
(Student assessment program for public schools.—), to allow students scheduled to graduate
in 2003 the opportunity to meet the FCAT graduation requirement with a concordant score on
such an alternate assessment. It further states that the Legislature will review the continued
use of such alternate assessments prior to their application in subsequent years.

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Grade Point Averages (GPAs) and Class Ranking
7.
?
How will grade point averages (GPAs) be calculated for students in each of the gradua-
tion programs?
Section 1003.429(5)(b), Florida Statutes (Accelerated high school graduation options.—),
requires that students must achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale or its equivalent in
the courses required by the selected option (only the 18 credits that meet the distribution
required by law).
A student who selects the four-year graduation program must achieve a cumulative GPA of
2.0 on a 4.0 scale or its equivalent in the courses required for graduation as identified in
Section 1003.43(1), Florida Statutes (General requirements for high school graduation.—)
Section 1003.43(5)(e), Florida Statutes, requires that any course grade not replaced according
to the district school board forgiveness policy be included in the calculation of the cumula-
tive GPA required for graduation via the four-year graduation program. This includes all
course grades earned by a student and all courses, even if “forgiven,” must be listed on the
student’s high school transcript.
3
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8.
?
How will students selecting one of the three-year programs be included in the overall class
ranking?
Students selecting one of the three-year programs must be included in the overall class
ranking for their graduation year based on the relative ranking of his or her cumulative GPA.
These students are also eligible for consideration as valedictorian, salutatorian, and for the
Talented 20 program.

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Selection of Coursework—General
9.
?
Must the 18 credits required for the three-year standard college programs meet the
admission requirements into the state university system?
Yes. This program is designed for students who are interested in graduating from high school
in three years to further their academic and career goals through postsecondary education.
Therefore, the 18 credits required for the three-year college preparatory program, including
the three electives, must satisfy the course distribution requirements for state university
admissions. Guidance counselors should refer to the
Florida Counseling for Future Educa-
tion Handbook
for specific courses approved for satisfying the admission requirements of the
state university system. Students should be encouraged to access FACTS.org for resources
for planning high school courses, personal academic transcript infomation, and career guid-
ance programs.
10. Can districts require specific courses and programs of study for students who choose
one of the three-year programs?
Yes. Within the course distribution requirements of the three-year programs, a district school
board may require specific courses or programs of study, as long as the same courses or
programs of study are required of students who select the four-year general requirements for
high school graduation. A student who transfers into one Florida school district from another
and has met the subject-specific coursework requirements in the district from which he or she
has transferred must be considered to have met the coursework requirements for the subject
area in the new district.

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Selection of Coursework—Algebra
11. Do Algebra Ia and Ib or Applied Mathematics I and II count as two of the three
required mathematics credits for the three-year college preparatory graduation
program?
No. Algebra Ia and Ib or Applied Mathematics I and II will count as one credit for Algebra I
equivalency for the college preparatory program. Students are required to complete two
4
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additional credits in mathematics higher than Algebra I from the list of courses that satisfy
state university admissions.
12. Do Algebra Ia and Ib or Applied Mathematics I and II count as two of the three
required mathematics credits for the three-year career preparatory graduation
program?
Yes. Algebra Ia and Ib or Applied Mathematics I and II will count as two credits for the
career preparatory option. Students are required to take one additional mathematics credit.
13. What courses should a student who demonstrates competency in a language other than
English take to meet the requirements for graduation through one of the three-year
graduation programs?
If a student is a native speaker or otherwise demonstrates competency in a language other
than English, the student must replace the language requirement with two credits in other
academic courses. If the student selects the college preparatory program, the two credits
must satisfy course requirements for state university admissions.
14. For students transferring from out of the country, may credits earned in another lan-
guage count toward the two credits required in foreign language for the three-year
graduation programs?
Yes. For example, if a transcript from a Spanish-speaking, foreign-born student documents
that he or she earned two credits of Spanish and one credit in English, these transfer credits
would count as two credits in language arts for the courses in Spanish and one credit in
foreign language for the English course. The Spanish courses for this student count as
English because this is the student’s primary language of instruction and includes literature,
writing, and reading performance standards. The “English course” counts as a foreign
language course since it is not the student’s native language.
15. How can proficiency be documented in the same second language?
School districts must provide a process to document proficiency in a second language for
students who select one of the three-year graduation programs. This procedure or process
must ensure equitable participation for all students. State universities may require documen-
tation of proficiency, such as test scores, on students’ transcripts. The following processes are
currently available at high schools in Florida:
teacher-developed assessment administered to students who have completed two
credits (two years)
exit tests or assessments used in International Baccalaureate, advanced placement, or
Advanced International Certificate programs
5
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language placement tests used by the modern languages department at the local
community college or state university.
16. How can schools document proficiency for foreign languages that are not currently
offered by the high school?
A school district may use the process implemented by the local community college or univer-
sity in the service area or may accept passing scores from a language proficiency test ob-
tained by the student from a private vendor. The Department of Education is currently
developing a database for collecting and sharing resources from other school districts to
facilitate this process.
17. What commercially-developed language proficiency tests are currently available?
The following commercially-developed language proficiency tests are available:
College Level Examination Program (CLEP) in languages other than English
Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) by the American Council on Education
SATII (formerly, Achievement Test) by the College Board.
Three-Year College Preparatory Graduation Program—Admission to Post-
Secondary Programs and Eligibility for Financial Aid
18. How will students who graduate through the three-year college preparatory program be
considered for admission to the state university system as compared to students who
graduate through the four-year general requirements program?
State university admission standards have been revised to align the number of credits
required for admission into the state university system with the two new graduation options.
The 18 credits required for the college preparatory program must satisfy course distribution
requirements for state university admission. These courses are identified in the
Florida
Counseling for Future Education Handbook
.
In choosing this graduation option, students and their parents should be advised that these
students will compete for admission with students who may have taken additional rigorous
academic courses. There are 11 state universities and 28 community colleges, plus numerous
independent universities found within Florida. Students should be encouraged to consider all
options and apply to more than one institution. High school guidance counselors are
available to help students with this process. It should be noted that admissions requirements
for institutions outside of Florida’s state university system (SUS), including out-of-state
colleges and universities, may vary greatly.
19. Are students who choose one of the three-year graduation programs eligible for a
National Merit Scholarship?
6
?

Yes. Students who plan to leave high school early to enroll in college full time after spending
three years in grades nine through twelve usually can participate in the Merit Program if they
take the PSAT/NMSQT in either the next-to-last year or the last year they are enrolled in high
school. Those who take the PSAT/NMSQT in their last year of high school will be entering
competition for awards to be offered as they are completing their first year of college.
Students who elect to graduate under the three-year college preparatory program in the 2003-
2004 year and believe they are eligible for an award should contact the National Merit Pro-
gram Office in writing by October 15, 2003.
20. Will students who choose one of the three-year graduation programs be eligible for
Bright Futures Scholarship?
Yes. Under the new law, a student may be eligible for a Bright Futures Scholarship whether
he or she completes the general requirements for high school graduation or one of the three-
year graduation programs.
A student completing the general requirements for high school graduation or the three-year
standard college preparatory program may be eligible for the Florida Academic Scholars
(FAS) or Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS) awards. The requirements for the FAS and FMS
awards are based on the 15 credits of academic courses required for SUS admissions (with up
to three additional credits from courses in the academic areas and/or AP or IB fine arts
courses to raise the GPA, if necessary).
A student completing the general requirements for high school graduation or the three-year
standard college or career preparatory program may be eligible for the Florida Gold Seal
Vocational Scholars (GSV) award. The requirements for the GSV award are based on the
credits required for high school graduation (which may vary based on the student’s selected
program) and must include three vocational credits in one vocational program.
21. Will students with a prepaid contract who graduate through one of the three-year
graduation programs be able to use their prepaid plan?
Yes, both the prepaid administrative rules and Master Covenant provide for the “early use of
benefits.” However, to advance the benefits by one year, the purchaser may be required to
pay an additional amount to pay off the contract a year earlier, if the purchaser is paying on
a monthly basis.
22. Will students who graduate through one of the three-year graduation programs be
eligible to participate in college athletics?
Yes, if the student is entering a Division I college and has completed the National Collegiate
Athletic Association (NCAA) specified 13 core academic courses, and has the required core-
course grade point average and a combined score on the SAT verbal and math sections or a
sum score on the ACT based on the NCAA qualifier index scale. The courses required under
the three-year college preparatory option meet the NCAA core curriculum. Students graduat-
7
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ing under the three-year career preparatory program will have the ability to select courses
that meet both high school diploma and minimum state university admission/NCAA require-
ments.
Three-Year Career Preparatory Graduation Program—Career and Technical
Education (CTE), Admission to Community Colleges and State University Pro-
grams, and Funding for District Workforce Programs
23. Must a student participating in the three-year standard career preparatory program
take career and technical education courses for the three required electives?
Yes. The three-year career preparatory program is designed to prepare students for
postsecondary career education and training. Completion of career and technical education
(CTE) coursework at the secondary level is essential in this process. Students choosing
the career preparatory program must complete a minimum of three vocational job preparatory
or technical education program credits in one sequential CTE program. This will also allow
them to meet the requirements of the GSV award.
24. Besides the math and electives, is the three-year career preparatory program the same
as the college preparatory program?
No. While the courses taken could be the same as the college preparatory courses, students
have additional flexibilty to take other career courses that also meet the eligibilty require-
ments for the GSV award. Those courses are not necessarily the same as the courses
that are required for SUS admissions. For example, Business English I and II will be ac-
cepted for the career preparatory program and for GSV, but do not meet SUS admission
requirements. The courses that meet GSV and career preparatory program can be found on
the FACTS.org web site. Click on High School Evaluations, select guest audit, select the
course summary button, and then click on the Comprehensive Course Table. The list of
courses that meet SUS admissions requirements and GSV as well as other programs are listed
there.
25. Does the three-year career preparatory program allow students to enter community
colleges and technical center programs?
Yes, this program allows students to enter community college and technical center programs.
Students must take CTE courses relating to their career goals as electives. Also, dual enroll-
ment opportunities exist for students choosing any of the three graduation programs.
26. Can a district allow a student to take his or her first course in a job preparatory CTE
program in the 8th grade?
This depends on the program or course the student wants to take. Some programs have age
requirements imposed by outside regulatory agencies, are not structured so that the first
course is appropriate for 8th graders, and/or have safety issues. Section 1003.43(1)(k),
8
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Florida Statutes, allows students below 9th grade to take any 9-12 grade level course identi-
fied in the Course Code Directory as long as the district follows certain requirements.
27. May CTE courses taken as substitutes for academic graduation requirements be used to
count as one of the three CTE credits necessary for Gold Seal Vocational Scholarship?
Yes. Section 1011.62(1)(c)l, Florida Statutes (Funds for operation of schools.—), requires
school districts to provide graduation requirement substitutions. CTE program substitutions
have been identified in the Course Code Directory, but cannot exceed two credits in each of
the non-elective subject areas of English, mathematics, and science. Specific information is
available on line at http://www.firn.edu/doe/curriculum/pdf/ccd20032004.pdf.
28. Will students who take the three-year graduation programs and leave after three years
affect workforce funding for district programs?
No. Students at the secondary level are funded based on full-time equivalency (FTE).
9

Florida Department of Education
Jim Horne, Commissioner
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• High School Academic

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Evaluations

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• High School Course Planning

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• Ways to Earn College Credit

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• Bright Futures Scholarship

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Information

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• Transcripts and grades

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• Career and College Planning

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• Degree Program Search

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• College Catalogs

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• E-Admissions Applications

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• Advising References

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... and much more!
Get Smart.
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by entering your personal information
just once. You can even apply for federal
(FAFSA) and state financial aid online via
FACTS.org
. Bright Futures Scholarship
information, direct links to institution-spe-
cific scholarships, and scholarship searches
are also available. Whew!
Help for college students
After high school, remember to stay on
track with
FACTS.org
. The website offers
lots of services to keep you on top of things
like knowing what classes to take in college
and getting college transcripts and grades.
Also on
FACTS.org
, you can compare your
transcripts with degree requirements at
Florida colleges to find out what courses
are needed to complete your degree... or a
different one… or at a different college!
the requirements. You can also see a course
summary evaluation that shows all of the
courses and grades you’ve received and how
they were applied in the evaluations.
Learn how to earn college
credit in high school.
Start earning college credits early by tak-
ing Advanced Placement (AP) classes, dual
enrollment courses, college-level examination
program (CLEP) tests, or by enrolling in the
International Baccalaureate (IB) Program. Get
a head start—more than 30% of Florida’s col-
lege freshmen did!
Get help choosing a career.
The career guidance programs at
FACTS.org
will help you assess your interests and skills
and find a career that’s right for you. Already
have an idea? You can check national and
state-specific occupational information for sal-
aries, industry trends, and employment data.
Knowing your career goals early on can help
you make course decisions more easily and not
waste time in classes you don’t need.
Investigate Florida colleges
and degrees.
Once you figure out what you want to study
in college, you can use the
FACTS.org
Degree
Program Search to find out what programs are
offered at different Florida institutions. So, if
you’re looking for colleges that offer a certain
degree, the search will show all the schools
that offer that particular program. And it’s
not just for public community colleges and
universities; you can also search private col-
leges and public vocational schools.
Apply online for admissions
and financial aid.
Put down that pen!
FACTS.org
allows you
to apply online to multiple Florida colleges
Now that you’ve started high school, it’s
important to keep track of what you need
to do before graduation. The decisions you
make now can affect high school gradua-
tion, higher ed admissions, Bright Futures
Scholarship awards, and the Talented 20
eligibility. Planning your life after gradu-
ation may seem overwhelming. But don’t
let it get you down and don’t wait until
it’s too late! Go online to
FACTS.org
, the
statewide student advising website, made
just for you!
FACTS.org
provides loads of information
you need for planning your future. It
was created by the Florida Department of
Education and is brought to you by the
Florida Center for Advising and Academic
Support. You’ll find resources for planning
high school courses and searching for col-
lege degrees and vocational/technical pro-
grams. You can even access your personal
academic transcript information.
Check out your courses
and grades.
NEW!
Stay on top of things with the
High School Academic Evaluations. Public
high school students… get an individual-
ized evaluation of your progress towards
meeting the Bright Futures initial eligibil-
ity requirements and the state university
system admission requirements. The evalu-
ations use your actual transcripts and tell
you where you stand in terms of meeting
Just look at all the things
you can do online.
Log on for your High School
Academic Evaluations!
It’s easy. Just follow these steps:
.
High School Academic
Evaluations.
3. Choose
New User
Create Login ID &
Password.
such as your name, birthdate, and SSN/
Florida Student Identifier Number must
match official school records exactly.).
Submit.
Helpful link:
The Comprehensive Course
Table in the
High School Academic Evaluations
section includes courses by subject area that
meet state university system (SUS) admissions
requirements and dual enrollment courses
that count for both high school and college
credit.
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6. Click on

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Florida’s New High
School Graduation

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Options
Florida Department of Education?

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SB 30A: The Quality Education
Act

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Requires school districts to notify parents of
the opportunity and benefits of
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advanced placement
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International Baccalaureate
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Advanced International Certificate of Education
?
?
dual enrollment
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Florida Virtual School courses

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Senate Bill 30A: The Quality
Education Act

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Provides that students must complete a
college-preparatory curriculum of 18 credits
to satisfy requirements for State University
System (SUS) admissions

Senate Bill 30A: The Quality

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Education Act

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Provides students and parents the
opportunity to select from three high school
graduation programs the one that will best
prepare students for their chosen
postsecondary paths

Graduation Programs
?

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Four-year, 24-credit standard program
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Three-year, 18-credit standard college
preparatory program

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Three-year, 18-credit career preparatory
program

All Graduation Programs
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Students are required to:

 
Earn passing scores on FCAT

 
Achieve cumulative GPA of 2.0 on 4.0 scale
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Meet minimum course requirements

Four-year Standard Program
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Minimum 24 credits/Standard
Diploma—no change from current
requirements, including additional district
requirements

 
Preparation for postsecondary education
or the workforce

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Three-year College
Preparatory Program

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18 academic credits/Standard Diploma
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4 credits in English
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3 credits in math (must be Algebra I or higher)
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3 credits in science (two labs)
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3 credits in social sciences
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2 credits in same second language (unless
proficient)
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3 credits in electives
?

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Three-year Career Preparatory
Program

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18 academic credits/Standard Diploma
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4 credits in English
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3 credits in math including Algebra I or equivalent
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3 credits in science (two labs)
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3 credits in social sciences
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2 credits in same second language (unless
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proficient)
?
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3 credits in electives
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Three-year Graduation
Programs

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Designed for students who intend to further
their education after high school
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College prep: community college or university
?
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Career prep: vocational, technical, or other career
preparation program or community college

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Designed for students who
?
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Have clear future goals
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Have maturity to demonstrate a successful
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transition to a postsecondary education setting
?
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Are ready to accelerate their education
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Three-year Graduation
Programs

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Districts must provide information to students
and their parents in grades 6 -12.

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Districts may not add requirements to the
three-year programs.

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Districts may require specific courses and
programs of study within the minimum credit
requirement, as long as students selecting
the four-year program are subject to the
same course requirements.

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Three-year Graduation
Programs

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4
th year students in 2003-04 may graduate as
soon as they complete all requirements.
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Passing scores on the FCAT
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GPA of 2.0 on 4.0 scale
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Minimum course requirements
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Three-year Graduation
Programs

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Students choosing these graduation
programs must attend high school for three
full school years.

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Certificates of completion are not available.
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Special diplomas are not available.

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Three-year Graduation
Program

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Students in grades 9-12 must select a
graduation program for 2003-2004 school
year.

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Students and parents may change graduation
programs within the first three years of high
school, pursuant to district policy

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If no selection is made, the student is
considered to have chosen the four-year, 24-
credit option.

Graduation Programs Compared
?
Graduation Programs Compared

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Not Required
Not Required
1.0 credit
PE

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3.0 credits with
2 labs

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3.0 credits with
2 labs

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3.0 credits with
2 labs

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Science

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3.0 credits
including
Algebra I

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3.0 credits
including
Algebra I or

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higher

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3.0 credits
including
Algebra I

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Math

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4.0 credits
4.0 credits
4.0 credits
English

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18-Credit

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Career Prep
(must meet
FGSV award)

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18-Credit

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College Prep
(must meet SUS
admissions)

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24-Credit

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Standard

…continued
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…continued

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3.0 credits
3.0 credits
8.5 credits
Electives

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Not required
Not required
.5 credit
LMS

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Not required
Not required
Required
Fine/

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Prac.Art

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2.0 credits
2.0 credits
Not Required

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Foreign
Language
3.0 credits
3.0 credits
3.0 credits
(American and

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World History, Econ,
and American

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Government)

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Social
Studies

Academic Advisement
?

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With
careful planning
, all three graduation
programs will permit completion of an associate
degree through dual enrollment

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With
careful planning
, all three graduation
programs meet Bright Futures requirements

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With
careful planning
, all three will meet
minimum
Florida SUS admission requirements

Academic Advisement
?

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Individual needs of student
?
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Exploring interests, aptitudes, and
achievement
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Setting academic and career goals

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Critical deadlines
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College entrance testing deadlines
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Postsecondary education admission
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Financial assistance
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Scholarships
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Housing
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Intercollegiate athletic eligibility
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Academic Advisement
?

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Educational benefits of acceleration opportunities and
programs

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SUS admission requirements

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Admission requirements for out-of-state colleges and
universities

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Bright Futures
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Academic Scholars Award
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Medallion Scholars Award
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Gold Seal Vocational Scholars Award

Academic Advisement
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Vocational Gold Seal
Scholarships

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FACTS.org

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Advanced placement
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Dual enrollment

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Florida Virtual School
?

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International Baccalaureate
Program

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College Level Examination
Program (CLEP)

Ask Students and Parents:
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Have you considered
?
 
Career goals?
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Postsecondary goals (in state/out of
state)?
 
Postsecondary goals (community
college/university)?

Ask Students and Parents:
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Would you like more information
regarding?
 
FACTS.org
 
Access to dual enrollment?
?
 
Financial assistance?
 
University housing?
 
Scholarship opportunities?
?

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In a Nutshell-
Parents and students should
consider
 
Participation in extra-curricular
activities and sports
 
Student’s maturity to transition
successfully into postsecondary
education
 
Workforce readiness
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In a Nutshell-
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Students and parents have the
?
opportunity to select the option that
?
best aligns with the students’
?
postsecondary plans!
?

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