FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
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STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
Dr. Eric J. Smith
T. WILLARD FAIR,
Chairman
Commissioner of Education
Members
DONNA G. CALLAWAY
DR. AKSHAY DESAI
ROBERTO MARTÍNEZ
PHOEBE RAULERSON
KATHLEEN SHANAHAN
LINDA K. TAYLOR
Contact Information:
Holly Edenfield
MEMORANDUM
Phone: (850) 245-0659
E-mail: Holly.Edenfield@fldoe.org
TO:
District Superintendents
K12: 2008-52
FROM:
Dr. Frances Haithcock
DATE:
May 16, 2008
SUBJECT: DISTRICT
PARTICIPATION IN THE PROPOSED ALTERNATIVE
CREDIT PILOT PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS ENROLLED IN
INDUSTRY CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS
Senate Bill 1906, sponsored by the Committee on Education Pre-K-12, Committee on Education and
PreK-12 Appropriations, and Senator Gaetz, was passed by both the Senate and House during the
recent legislative session and is now awaiting the signature of Governor Crist. It creates section
1002.375, Florida Statutes, establishing a pilot project to award high school core credit in addition to
career course credit to students who successfully complete an industry certification program course
that includes core Sunshine State Standards and pass an end-of-course exam (EOC) in the core area.
Although this bill has not yet become law, in an effort to provide ample time for districts to
determine interest in participating in this proposed pilot program, the Department is providing
criteria for participation since the program would begin in the 2008-09 school year.
Qualifying Criteria
1.
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Evidence of successful implementation of up to five programs that result in a nationally or state-
recognized industry certificate as defined by the Agency for Workforce Innovation in accordance
with the criteria described in s. 1003.492(2), Florida Statutes. Evidence shall include:
a.
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School site(s)/career academies where the program is offered;
b.
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Number of years each program has been in place; and
c.
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Student performance outcomes, including participation and completion rates and
numbers.
DR. FRANCES HAITHCOCK
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CHANCELLOR OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS
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325 W. GAINES STREET • SUITE 514 • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-0509 • www.fldoe.org
District Superintendents
May 16, 2008
Page Two
2.
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Evidence of existing career courses related to core mathematics and science courses, with
agreement to revise these courses, if necessary, to include 50 percent or more of the new
math and/or science benchmarks for which alternative core credit is being sought. Course
descriptions must be aligned with the following conditions:
a.
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Career courses that are part of the industry certification program and being proposed
for alternative core credit must include benchmarks from the following core areas:
Algebra, Geometry, and Biology. (Not all courses in the industry certification
program must include benchmarks from these areas, just those proposed for
alternative core credit.)
b.
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To obtain alternative core credit student enrollment and completion in a career course
that includes benchmarks from these core areas will require participating in and
passing a Florida Virtual School or Florida Department of Education EOC exam for
one of the following core courses: Algebra IA, Algebra IB, Algebra, Geometry, or
Biology.
Agreements and Assurances Required of Participating Districts
•
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Agreement to revise career course descriptions and submit for Department approval those
including 50 percent or more of the new math and/or science standards for which alternative
credit core is being sought. Standards are available at www.floridastandards.org.
•
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Agreement to or amendment of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between Florida
Virtual School and the district to include specifications regarding the following
responsibilities of this project:
a.
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Which party will provide student remediation for alternative core credit standards;
b.
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Which party will provide student instruction for alternative core credit standards that
are not a part of the career coursework;
c.
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Student participation on identified Florida Virtual School EOC exams;
d.
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Reporting student performance on identified Florida Virtual School EOC exams;
e.
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Student enrollment and registration information processes;
f.
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Financial terms and conditions; and
g.
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Transfer and reporting of student records.
A link to a sample MOA can be found at http://www.flvs.net/educators/affiliating_with_flvs.php.
•
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Assurance that the program will continue to be supported by the district throughout the term
of the pilot project.
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Assurance that upon completion of the program, students take the industry certification exam
paid for by the district.
District School Superintendents
May 16, 2008
Page Three
•
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Assurance that remediation will be provided if the student is unsuccessful in obtaining the
minimum score required in the alternative core credit EOC exam or unable to pass the
industry certification examination.
•
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Assurance that the district will enter into an agreement with the Department of Education
regarding specified criteria for participation in this pilot.
If this bill is signed into law, the Department will issue an official application. Districts wishing
to participate must submit a letter of interest and complete the application by July 15, 2008. The
Commissioner of Education will choose up to three districts to participate in this pilot project
based on the quality and completeness of the responses to numbers one and two above and
positive responses to the agreements and assurances.
To view a copy of this bill go to www.flsenate.gov and search for Senate Bill 1906 in the bill
search field on the left side of the page. For further information regarding this project e-mail
Holly Radcliffe Edenfield at Holly.Edenfield@fldoe.org.
MJT/cy
