FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
JIM HORNE
Commissioner of Education
STATE BOARD 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
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. T
CONTACT PERSONS
Name:
Angel Stanford
Michael
Lisle
Phone:
(850) 245-0415
(850) 245-0481
Suncom:
205-0415
205-0481
Email:
angel.stanford@fldoe.org
michael.lisle@fldoe.org
DPS: 05-004
MEMORANDUM
To:
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District School Superintendents
From:
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Jim Warford
Date:
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July 14, 2004
Subject:
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GENERAL EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (GED) EXIT OPTION
MODEL 2004-2005 APPLICATION FOR IMPLEMENTATION
The American Council on Education (ACE) has authorized the Florida Department of Education
(FDOE) to continue the implementation of the GED Exit Option Model. This graduation option
provides currently enrolled high school students who meet specific selection criteria the
opportunity to take the General Educational Development (GED) Tests. Students who pass the
GED Tests and the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) are eligible to graduate
receiving a standard diploma. Students may only access this alternate graduation route through
the GED Exit Option Model.
JIM WARFORD
K – 12 Chancellor
325 W. GAINES STREET • SUITE 514 • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-0509 • www.fldoe.org
District School Superintendents
July 14, 2004
Page Two
During the 2003-2004 school year, 53 school districts were approved to implement the GED Exit
Option Model. Evaluation data reported in the
Supplemental Academic Instruction Annual
Report for 2003-2004
indicated that ninety-two percent (92%) of the students using this strategy
passed the GED Tests. Nearly 100% of the students who passed the GED Tests through this
strategy also passed the FCAT and earned a standard diploma. It is important to note that
students who earn diplomas through the GED Exit Option Model are included in the calculation
of the graduation rate under the No Child Left Behind, while students who receive a State of
Florida diploma through an adult education program are excluded from this calculation.
The
2003 GED Exit Option Model Procedure Manual,
originally distributed with DPS Memo
04-034, dated October 1, 2002, is still a valid tool and should be used in implementing the GED
Exit Option Model. In addition, we are providing you with a
Frequently Asked Questions
document designed to assist you in completing the application and implementing an effective
program.
2003-2004 GED Exit Option Model Application
In order to ensure that the Department may continue to provide ACE with comprehensive data
on Florida’s implementation model and comply with required ACE assurances, school districts
that wish to develop and implement the GED Exit Option Model in 2004-2005 must submit a
new application to the Florida Department of Education, Office of Title I Programs and
Academic Intervention Services, 325 W. Gaines Street, 352 Turlington Building, Tallahassee,
Florida 32399-0400, by
August 31, 2004
. A copy of the 2004-2005 application is attached and
consists of:
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Part A, District Application Form, which must be returned to the Department with all
required signatures;
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Part B, Annual School Report, which must be completed by personnel at each school site and
returned to the Department with the District Application Form
(Please note this is a
scannable form. Faxes, copies, and non-white paper may not be accepted.);
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Part C, Site Self-Evaluation Checklist, which must be completed by each school site and
maintained at the district office;
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Part D, Student Self-Evaluation Checklist, which must be completed for each student using
this exit strategy and maintained at each site, and
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In addition, a series of frequently asked questions related to the implementation and
administration of the GED Exit Option Model is attached.
Approval for implementation in 2004-2005 will be based upon Department staff review to
determine completeness of the application and compliance with the requirements from ACE, and
will be effective based on the date that the Department of Education receives part A and part B
of the application.
District School Superintendents
July 14, 2004
Page Three
Once the district application is approved by the Department, GED Exit Option Authorization
Forms will be mailed to the district GED Exit Option Model contact for test administration at
each approved site. When identifying sites for the implementation, please note that HB 1989,
passed by the 2004 Legislature, amends section 1003.52(3)(a), Florida Statutes (F.S.), to require
that all districts provide the GED Exit Option Model for the Department of Juvenile Justice
programs. School districts approved to implement the model may submit an amendment during
the school year to add or delete school sites.
We applaud your efforts in meeting the challenge of serving students at risk of dropping out of
school prior to receiving a high school diploma and hope that this graduation option will provide
an alternative strategy for more effectively meeting the needs of these students. Our staff is
available to assist you with the application and implementation process. If you need additional
information, please contact Michael Lisle, Program Director, Title I Programs and Academic
Intervention Services, at (850) 245-0481 or via email michael.lisle@fldoe.org.
JW:mlf
Attachments
cc:
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Assistant Superintendents for Instruction
Dropout Prevention Coordinators
Adult Education Directors
Directors of Exceptional Student Education
Student Services Directors
Juvenile Justice Contacts
District ESOL Coordinators
District Title I/Migrant Coordinators
