FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
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STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
T. WILLARD FAIR,
Chairman
Dr. Eric J. Smith
Members
Commissioner of Education
DONNA G. CALLAWAY
DR. AKSHAY DESAI
ROBERTO MARTÍNEZ
PHOEBE RAULERSON
KATHLEEN SHANAHAN
LINDA K. TAYLOR
February 29, 2008
MEMORANDUM
TO:
District School Superintendents
FROM:
Dr. Eric J. Smith, Commissioner of Education
SUBJECT:
Clarification regarding requirements for completion of a middle school career and
education planning course required by s.1033.4156(1)(a)5, F.S. and students with
disabilities
The Florida Department of Education is pleased to provide clarification regarding the career and
education planning course requirement of Section 1003.4156(1)(a)5, Florida Statutes, General
requirements for middle grades promotion and the applicability to students with disabilities.
Section 1003.4156, Florida Statutes, states:
(1)
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Beginning with students entering grade 6 in the 2006-2007 school year, promotion from a school
composed of middle grades 6, 7, and 8 requires that:
(a)
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The student must successfully complete academic courses as follows: …
5. One course in career and education planning to be completed in 7th or 8th grade. The course
may be taught by any member of the instructional staff; must include career exploration using
CHOICES for the 21st Century or a comparable cost-effective program; must include educational
planning using the online student advising system known as Florida Academic Counseling and
Tracking for Students at the internet website www.FACTS.org; and shall result in the completion
of a personalized academic and career plan.
The statute does not provide for an exception for students with disabilities for the career and education
planning course or for any of the other course requirements stipulated in the statute. Therefore, every
middle school student is required to take the course and complete the electronic Personalized Education
Planner (ePEP) on FACTS.org in order to be promoted into high school. Students with disabilities can
elect to complete an ePEP related to the requirements for a standard high school diploma ePEP or a
special diploma plan, but they must complete an ePEP to be promoted. Plans may be changed once
students transition into high school. Parents of students with disabilities should be encouraged to consult
with the student’s individual educational plan (IEP) team regarding these decisions.
cc:
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Assistant Superintendents for Instruction
Exceptional Student Education Directors
325 W. GAINES STREET • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-0505 • www.fldoe.org