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
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LINDA J. EADS, ED.D.
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CHARLES PATRICK GARCÍA
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JULIA L. JOHNSON
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WILLIAM L. PROCTOR, PH.D.
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LINDA K. TAYLOR
Contact Persons
Name:
Mary Jo Butler
Phone:
(850) 245-0479
Suncom:
205-0479
Email:
maryjo.butler@fldoe.org
DPS: 04- 094
MEMORANDUM
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TO:
District School Superintendents
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FROM:
Jim Warford
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DATE:
April 5, 2004
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JIM HORNE
Commissioner of Education
Name:
Mike Tremor
Phone:
(850) 245-0423
Suncom:
205-0423
Email:
michael.tremor@fldoe.org
SUBJECT:
FLORIDA’S GUIDE TO PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION
The 2003 Legislature amended several laws related to high school graduation
requirements. The purpose of these amendments was 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.
Department staff representing the K-20 system collaborated in the development and
dissemination of technical assistance materials and resources designed to provide
guidance to schools and districts related to high school graduation. Please find attached
Florida’s Guide to Public High School Graduation
, a brochure designed to provide valuable
information to parents and students regarding high school graduation, acceleration
programs and advanced coursework, comparison of high school graduation programs,
requirements for state university and community college admission, and requirements for
Bright Futures.
JIM WARFORD
K – 12 Chancellor
325 W. GAINES STREET • SUITE 514 • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-0509 • www.fldoe.org
District School Superintendents
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April 5, 2004
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Page Two
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Under separate cover, we will distribute multiple copies of this brochure to your school
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district for students in eighth through tenth grade. Please find a camera-ready copy of the
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brochure attached so that you may print additional copies of the brochure. A .pdf version of
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the brochure can be found on the Department website at
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www.myfloridaeducation.com/commhome/newgrad/gradgide.pdf. We hope that these
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materials will support your district’s academic advisement program and enable students and
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their parents to make informed decisions regarding postsecondary education and career
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plans.
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Additional information for counselors, parents, and students can also be obtained through
the Florida Academic Counseling and Tracking for Students website (www.FACTS.org) that
includes high school planning, career planning, college planning, and high school academic
evaluations. The
Florida Counseling for Future Education Handbook
is also available at
FACTS.org and is a comprehensive reference to postsecondary education in Florida.
If you have questions or need additional information regarding K12 curriculum, instruction,
academic advisement, or high school graduation requirements, please contact Mary Jo
Butler or Michael Tremor. If you have questions regarding community colleges, please
contact Heather Sherry at (850) 245-0407 or by email at heather.sherry@fldoe.org. If you
have questions regarding state university admission requirements, please contact Nell Kelly
at (850) 245-0467 or by email at nell.kelly@fldoe.org or Lynda Page via email at
lynda.page@fldoe.org. Should you need information regarding career and technical
education, please contact Rose Raynak at (850) 245-9020 or via email at
rose.raynak@fldoe.org.
JW/mlf
cc:
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Student Services Directors
Guidance Supervisors
Middle School Principals
High School Principals
Middle School Counselors
High School Counselors