FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
?
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
Dr. Eric J. Smith
Commissioner of Education
T. WILLARD FAIR,
Chairman
Members
DONNA G. CALLAWAY
DR. AKSHAY DESAI
ROBERTO MARTÍNEZ
PHOEBE RAULERSON
KATHLEEN SHANAHAN
LINDA K. TAYLOR
March 17, 2008
M E M O R A N D U M
TO:
?
District School Superintendents
FROM:
?
Dr. Eric J. Smith
SUBJECT:
?
Postsecondary Career and Technical Course Numbers on the Statewide Course
Numbering System (SCNS)
In order to improve program planning, increase communication among delivery systems,
and facilitate student acceleration and transfer of credits, postsecondary career credit courses,
clock hour programs for career certificate programs also known as postsecondary adult
vocational (PSAV), are being phased into the Statewide Course Numbering System (SCNS) with
full implementation by summer 2009. This memorandum will provide the legal basis, elements,
and timelines for completing the process.
Section 1007.24, Florida Statutes, requires the Department of Education to maintain a SCNS for
these purposes and sets the requirements for educational institutions’ participation in the system.
Section 1007.24(1), F.S., The Department of Education, in conjunction with the Board of
Governors, shall develop, coordinate, and maintain a statewide course numbering system
for postsecondary and dual enrollment education in school districts, public postsecondary
educational institutions, and participating nonpublic postsecondary educational
institutions that will improve program planning, increase communication among all
delivery systems, and facilitate student acceleration and the transfer of students and
credits between public school districts, public postsecondary educational institutions, and
participating nonpublic educational institutions.
Rule 6A-10.024(13), Florida Administrative Code, requires that all postsecondary career credit
(clock hour) courses be entered into the SCNS.
325 W. GAINES STREET • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-0446 • www.fldoe.org
District Superintendents
Page Two
March 17, 2008
6A-10.024(13), F.A.C., All postsecondary courses offered for college credit, career
credit, college preparatory credit, or career-preparatory credit as they are defined in Rule
6A-10.033, F.A.C., shall be entered in the statewide course numbering system. Each
course shall be assigned a single prefix and a single identifying number in the course
numbering system.
Section 1004.91(2), F.S., refers to career credit clock hour programs and Rule 6A-10.033,
F.A.C., defines postsecondary career credit as courses in programs leading to a career certificate.
For the purposes of this SCNS course numbering implementation project, career credit
means clock hour courses (also known as Postsecondary Adult Vocational or PSAV) and is
not to be construed as any other project or initiative involved in converting programs,
courses, hours, or credits.
6A-10.033(b), F.A.C., Career credit is the type of credit assigned to courses or course
equivalent learning that is part of an organized and specified program leading to a career
certificate. It applies to postsecondary adult career courses. One (1) career credit is
based on the learning expected from the equivalent of thirty (30) hours of instruction.
Each career center must maintain a transcript delineating each course completed by each student
as required in section 1001.44(3)(b), F.S.
Section 1001.44(3)(b), F.S., Each career center shall maintain an academic transcript for
each student enrolled in the center. Such transcript shall delineate each course completed
by the student. Courses shall be delineated by the course prefix and title assigned
pursuant to s. 1007.24.
Phase I: Districts tested the submission of postsecondary Career and Technical Education
(CTE) student completions using the SCNS reporting format.
Districts reporting career and technical education student records through the Workforce
Development Information System (WDIS) must begin using SCNS course numbers no later than
fall 2009. District Management Information System (MIS) personnel were provided access to
the “lookup” file
DPS.DISTRICT.K9.OCP.Y0708
containing SCNS numbers for use in
reporting CTE courses at the Northwest Regional Data Center. These numbers were assigned to
Career Certificate programs’ Occupational Completion Points (OCP) which are discrete
segments within programs based on student learning outcomes. The SCNS identifies each
course by a 7-character alphanumeric number consisting of a three letter prefix and a four-digit
number. Career and technical center directors approved these numbers based on OCPs in 2007
before they were added to the SCNS.
Districts were notified in April 2007 about the testing of a new data system for reporting students
who completed Occupational Completion Points (OCP). Several districts participated in the first
phase of the project. The goal is that every district test the final system by July 2008.
District Superintendents
Page Three
March 17, 2008
Phase II: For 2008-09 districts must report SCNS courses for students who complete
occupational completion points in postsecondary CTE career certificate programs.
Phase II began at the end of February 2008 and now all districts must begin using SCNS
numbers for reporting courses when students complete an occupational completion point. The
Division of Workforce Education has undertaken a project to convert lengthy programs into
smaller programs which will comprise courses identified with intended outcomes and
performance standards. Those courses will have discrete SCNS numbers; completion of Phase II
is expected in September 2008.
Phase III: For 2009-10 districts must report on Electronic Transcripts and the Workforce
Development Information System postsecondary SCNS courses for all enrolled students.
Phase III will begin in late summer or early fall of 2008 using SCNS numbers for registration
and scheduling as well as state-level reporting on electronic transcripts. The Division of
Workforce Education is developing a common transcript that will provide flexibility and
portability for postsecondary career and technical education students. The current secondary
system is being modified to accommodate the needs of the district career and technical education
centers. Districts will be required to report all SCNS course enrollments and completions for the
2009-10 school year in the Workforce Development Information System (WDIS) no later than
fall 2009.
For further information on postsecondary career and technical education courses, please contact
Beth Gladden at (850) 245-9900 or beth.gladden@fldoe.org or Jennifer Roberts at (850) 245-
9018 or jennifer.roberts@fldoe.org.
For further information on Electronic Transcripts, please contact Belinda Chason at (850) 245-
9017 or belinda.chason@fldoe.org.
PHASE TIMELINE
DESCRIPTION
Phase I
Spring 2007
Pilot data base change assigning SCNS numbers to postsecondary
Career and Technical Education program Occupational Completion
Points (OCPs)
Spring 2008
Reporting completers by SCNS-numbered OCPs
Phase II
Summer 2008
Division of Workforce Education project converting lengthy
programs into smaller courses using SCNS
Phase III
Fall 2009
All districts report all state-level registration, completion, and
electronic transcript data using SCNS
EJS/jmh
c:
?
District Career Education Directors
District Career Technical Center Directors
District MIS Directors
