FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
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John L. Winn
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
Commissioner of Education
F. PHILIP HANDY,
Chairman
T. WILLARD FAIR,
Vice Chairman
Members
DONNA G. CALLAWAY
ROBERTO MARTÍNEZ
PHOEBE RAULERSON
KATHLEEN SHANAHAN
LINDA K. TAYLOR
May 30, 2006
M E M O R A N D U M
TO:
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Council on Instructional Affairs
Council on Student Affairs
FROM:
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Judith Bilsky, Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Success
Heather R. Sherry, Director, Office of Articulation
SUBJECT:
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Revisions to Rule 6A-10.030, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.),
“
Gordon Rule”
The revisions to Rule 6A-10.030, F.A.C., support the Department of Education’s second
strategic imperative to set, align and apply academic curricular and testing standards.
Following an extensive revision process led by the Articulation Coordinating Committee, the
State Board of Education (effective December 18, 2005) and the Board of Governors (effective
November 17, 2005) adopted revisions to Rule 6A-10.030, F.A.C., -
Other Assessment
Procedures for College-Level Communication and Computation Skills
. This rule is commonly
referred to as the “Gordon Rule.”
The revisions were intended to provide institutions with greater flexibility in determining their
Gordon Rule curriculum rather than relying on a prescriptive word count. Specifically, the
24,000 word count requirement for communications has been replaced with a requirement for
“multiple assignments” (to be defined by each institution). Further, the stipulation that these
325 W. GAINES STREET • SUITE 1314 • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-0407 • www.fldoe.org/cc
Council on Instructional Affairs
Council on Student Affairs
Page Two
May 30, 2006
twelve semester hours be selected from English courses has been changed to six hours of English
coursework and six hours of additional coursework that demonstrate college-level writing skills.
In light of this new flexibility, it is expected that each institution reexamine its Gordon Rule
offerings to ensure that students have access to appropriate writing instruction and can
demonstrate mastery. Revised Gordon Rule course designations should be submitted by July 1,
2006, to Mr. Matthew Bouck, Statewide Course Numbering System Administrator, at
Matthew.Bouck@fldoe.org.
Attached is a Q&A document relating to the newly adopted changes and a sample policy from
the University of Central Florida. The text of the Board of Governors Resolution and the State
Board of Education Rule may also be viewed respectively at:
http://www.flbog.org/bog/meetings/2005_11_17/15_Resolution.pdf and
http://www.firn.edu/doe/rules/6a-103.htm#6A-10.030
Institutions may contact Mr. Matthew Bouck or Dr. Heather Sherry in the Office of Articulation
at (850) 245-0427 with any questions.
JB/HS/shc
Attachments
c:
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Community College Presidents
Community College Articulation Officers
Community College Registrars and Admissions Directors
Dr. R.E. LeMon, Vice Chancellor, Academic and Student Affairs (BOG)
