FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
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STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
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JOHN L. WINN
Commissioner of Education
F. PHILIP HANDY,
Chairman
T. WILLARD FAIR,
Vice Chairman
Members
LINDA J. EADS, ED.D.
CHARLES PATRICK GARCÍA
JULIA L. J
WILLIAM L. PROCTOR, PH.D.
LINDA K. TAYLOR
CONTACT PERSONS
Name:
Mary Jo Butler
Michael
Tremor
Phone:
(850) 245-0479
Suncom:
205-0479
Email:
maryjo.butler@fldoe.org
michael.tremor@fldoe.org
DPS: 05-040
TAP NUMBER: FY 2005-06
MEMORANDUM
To:
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District School Superintendents
From:
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Jim Warford
Date:
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September 23, 2004
Subject:
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TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PAPER RELATED TO ACADEMIC ADVISEMENT
FOR MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELORS
The 2004 Legislature passed Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 364 (CS/SB 364) that
amended section 1003.429, Florida Statutes (Accelerated high school graduation
options.--), to revise the requirements for accelerated high school graduation programs for
students who enter the ninth grade in the 2004-2005 school year and thereafter. The goal of
the Legislature is to ensure that students and their parents have the opportunity to select
the graduation program that will most appropriately prepare students for their chosen
postsecondary path. Beginning with the 2004-2005 school year, students who enter ninth
grade may select one of three high school graduation options: the standard high school
graduation program, a three-year standard college preparatory program, or a three-year
career preparatory program.
JIM WARFORD
K – 12 Chancellor
325 W. GAINES STREET • SUITE 514 • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-0509 • www.fldoe.org
District School Superintendents
September 23, 2004
Page Two
To assist districts and schools in implementing these new and amended laws regarding
high school graduation, Department staff has developed the enclosed technical assistance
paper related to effective academic advisement in both middle and high school. The
purpose of this document is to clarify the role of middle and high school counselors in
academic and career advisement. Middle and high school counselors are integral to the
implementation of these new and revised requirements as they work with administrative,
curriculum development, and instructional staff to ensure that all students have the
opportunity to design an academically challenging program of study.
The technical assistance paper provides information regarding transition from middle to high
school; acceleration mechanisms such as advanced placement, International
Baccalaureate, Advanced International Certificate of Education programs, dual enrollment,
and Florida Virtual School courses; career and technical education; state scholarships and
grants; and community college and State University System admission requirements. It
specifically addresses components of effective advisement models in both middle and high
school settings and provides Internet resources to support these models.
Information regarding high school graduation options and all acceleration mechanisms
available to students can be found on
www.FACTS.org via the
Counseling for Future
Education Handbook
and throughout the website. FACTS.org also provides individualized
high school academic evaluations showing requirements and each student’s status toward
his or her chosen graduation program. Also available to guidance counselors, students, and
parents is the high school planner allowing students to plan their coursework based on the
graduation program chosen, edit and save their selections, and print copies for signatures.
The high school planner is scheduled for release on FACTS.org in September 2004.
We encourage districts to utilize the information contained in this technical assistance paper
to provide a framework for the academic advisement efforts underway in middle and high
schools across the state. If you need additional information regarding academic advisement
and graduation programs, please contact Helen Lancashire at (850) 488-1842 or by email
at
hlancash@tempest.coedu.usf.edu or Rich Downs at (850) 922-3237 or by email at
rdowns@tempest.coedu.usf.edu.
JW:mto
Enclosure
cc:
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Assistant Superintendents for Curriculum and Instruction
Student Services Directors
Dropout Prevention Coordinators
Exceptional Student Education Directors
Guidance Supervisors
Middle School Principals
High School Principals
Guidance Counselors
