FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
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STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
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JIM HORNE
Commissioner of Education
F. PHILIP HANDY,
Chairman
T. WILLARD FAIR,
Vice Chairman
Members
LINDA J. EADS, ED.D.
CHARLES PATRICK GARCÍA
JULIA L. JOHNSON
WILLIAM L. PROCTOR, PH.D.
LINDA K. TAYLOR
CONTACT PERSONS
Name: Mary Jo Butler
Phone: (850) 245-0479
Suncom: 205-0479
Email:
Name:
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Mike Tremor
Phone:
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(850) 245-0423
Suncom:
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205-0423
Email:
maryjo.butler@fldoe.org
michael.tremor@fldoe.org
Name: Nancy Cordill
Phone: (850) 245-9898
Suncom: 205-9898
Email:
Name:
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Lynda Page
Phone:
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(850) 245-9693
Suncom:
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205-9653
Email:
nancy.cordill@fldoe.org
lynda.page@fldoe.org
DPS:
04-121
MEMORANDUM
To:
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District School Superintendents
From:
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Jim Warford
Date:
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May 26, 2004
Subject:
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2004 LEGISLATIVE CHANGES REGARDING HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION
PROGRAMS
The 2004 Legislature passed Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 364 that amended several laws
related to high school graduation requirements. The purpose of these amendments is to revise
current laws regarding three-year graduation programs and extend the policy for specified students
to use concordant scores on the SAT or ACT to meet FCAT requirements for graduation. Technical
assistance regarding the authorization for specified students to use an alternative assessment to
meet the grade 10 FCAT graduation requirement was disseminated via a memo from Commissioner
Horne, dated May 13, 2004. The purpose of this memo is to provide general information related to
the three high school graduation programs.
JIM WARFORD
K – 12 Chancellor
325 W. GAINES STREET • SUITE 514 • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-0509 • www.fldoe.org
District School Superintendents
May 26, 2004
Page Two
Beginning with the 2004-2005 school year, students who enter the ninth grade may select one of
three high school graduation programs. Any student who selected an accelerated graduation
program before July 1, 2004, may continue that program, and all statutory requirements that were
applicable when the student made the program choice shall remain applicable to the student as long
as he or she continues that program. (See “Online Sunshine,” the Florida Legislature’s Internet site,
at
www.flsenate.gov/data/session/2004/senate/bills/billtext/pdf/s0364er.pdf for a copy of Committee
Substitute for Senate Bill 364, sections 1, 2, and 3.)
This legislation amended Section 1003.429, Florida Statutes (Accelerated high school graduation
options.--), to require that each district school board must provide students in grades six through
nine and their parents with specific information related to the three high school graduation options,
including curriculum for students and parents to select the postsecondary education or career plan
that best fits their needs. The law prohibits district school boards from establishing requirements for
the accelerated three-year high school graduation options in excess of the required 18 credits. The
bill requires students to select one of the graduation options by the end of ninth grade and
establishes a cumulative weighted grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, or its equivalent, in the
courses required for graduation for both three-year graduation programs.
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 – italics indicate new language):
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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
(must include 1 credit in American history, 1 credit in world
history, .5 credit in American government, and .5 credit in economics)
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2 credits in same second language or demonstrated proficiency in another language
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3 credits in electives
District School Superintendents
May 26, 2004
Page Three
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At least 6 of the 18 credits required for this program must be received in classes that are
honors; dual enrollment; advanced placement; International Baccalaureate; Advanced
International Certificate of Education; specifically listed or identified by the Department of
Education as rigorous pursuant to section 1009.531(3), Florida Statutes; or weighted by the
district school board for class ranking purposes
Three-year career preparatory program (18 credits – italics indicate new language):
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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 (
must include 1 credit in American history, 1 credit in world
history, .5 credit in American government, and .5 credit in economics)
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3 credits in a single vocational or career education program, 3 credits in career and technical
certificate dual enrollment, or 5 credits in vocational or career technical courses
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2 credits in electives unless 5 credits are earned as referenced above
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Deleted foreign language requirement
Bright Futures
The three-year graduation options may be used to meet the requirement for a student to earn a
standard Florida high school diploma in order to be eligible for a Florida Bright Futures Scholarship.
You may visit the Bright Futures website for specific details at
www.MyFloridaEducation.com/brfuture and select “First-Time Applicants” and click on “What are the
Academic Requirements?”
Minimum State University System Admission Requirements
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 programs 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, and 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 site index, scroll down to the
Future Education
Handbook
. A newer version of the
Handbook
currently is being edited and will contain the updated
information regarding new graduation requirements.
District School Superintendents
May 26, 2004
Page Four
Department staff are developing technical assistance materials with input from district staff to
provide guidance with implementation of this legislation, including additional requirements to the
three-year programs that are not addressed in this memo and will need further clarification. Please
note that all revisions regarding high school graduation options must be included in your 2004-2005
student progression plan. Additional information regarding these provisions will be available in the
near future.
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 Nancy Cordill.
If you have questions regarding community college admissions, please contact Sylvia Fleishman at
(850) 245-9468 or by email at
sylvia.fleishman@fldoe.org. You may contact Lynda Page or Nell
Kelly at (850) 245-0467 or by email at nell.kelly@fldoe.org regarding admission to the state
universities.
If you have questions regarding the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program, please contact
JoAnn McGonagill at (850) 410-5175 or by email at
joann.mcgonagill@fldoe.org.
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
