Bill Text: FL S0790 | 2014 | Regular Session | Comm Sub
Bill Title: Education
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (? 2-1)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-05-02 - Died on Calendar, companion bill(s) passed, see HB 5101 (Ch. 2014-56) [S0790 Detail]
Download: Florida-2014-S0790-Comm_Sub.html
Florida Senate - 2014 CS for CS for SB 790
By the Committees on Appropriations; and Education; and Senator
Legg
576-03340A-14 2014790c2
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to education; amending s. 1011.62,
3 F.S.; providing the purpose for the Florida digital
4 classrooms allocation; requiring a school district to
5 adopt a district digital classrooms plan and submit
6 the plan to the Department of Education for approval;
7 providing requirements for the plan; requiring that
8 allocated funds be used for a specified purpose;
9 requiring a district school board to submit to the
10 department the district’s digital classrooms plan;
11 providing requirements for the district’s plan;
12 requiring the State Board of Education to adopt a
13 Florida digital classrooms plan that establishes
14 certain protocols, parameters, requirements, and
15 digital tools; authorizing the Department of Education
16 to consult with qualified experts to develop the
17 Florida digital classrooms plan; providing
18 requirements for the plan; providing calculations for
19 funding; requiring the commissioner to support
20 statewide, coordinated partnerships and efforts of
21 education practitioners to identify and share best
22 practices, corrective actions, and other identified
23 needs; requiring each district school board to report
24 by a specified date to the department the district’s
25 use of funds and student performance outcomes;
26 authorizing the department to contract with an
27 independent third-party entity to conduct an annual
28 independent verification of the district’s use of
29 Florida digital classrooms allocation funds; requiring
30 the Auditor General to verify the use of Florida
31 digital classrooms allocation funds if an independent
32 third-party verification is not conducted; requiring
33 the commissioner to provide by a specified date to the
34 Governor and the Legislature a summary of each
35 district’s use of funds, student performance outcomes,
36 and progress toward meeting statutory requirements and
37 timelines; authorizing the State Board of Education to
38 adopt rules; amending s. 1002.33, F.S.; conforming
39 provisions to changes made by the act; amending s.
40 1002.45, F.S.; conforming provisions to changes made
41 by the act; requiring school districts to annually
42 provide parents with notification regarding a
43 student’s right and choice to participate in a virtual
44 instruction program; repealing s. 1006.281, F.S.,
45 relating to local instructional improvement systems;
46 repealing s. 1006.282, F.S., relating to a pilot
47 program for the transition to electronic and digital
48 instructional materials; amending s. 1006.38, F.S.;
49 conforming provisions to changes made by the act;
50 creating s. 1007.2616, F.S.; requiring public schools
51 to provide students in grades K-12 opportunities for
52 learning computer science, including, but not limited
53 to, computer coding and computer programming;
54 authorizing grade-specific instruction in specified
55 areas; authorizing elementary schools and middle
56 schools to establish digital classrooms for specified
57 purposes; authorizing high schools to provide students
58 with opportunities to take certain computer science
59 courses to satisfy requirements for high school
60 graduation; providing exceptions for certain course
61 requirements for high school graduation; authorizing
62 the State Board of Education to adopt rules; creating
63 s. 1004.448, F.S.; establishing the Florida Center for
64 Library Automation; providing the duties of the
65 center; providing that an executive director
66 administers the center; providing the duties of the
67 executive director; repealing s. 1006.72, F.S.,
68 relating to licensing electronic library resources;
69 repealing s. 1006.73, F.S., relating to the Florida
70 Virtual Campus; amending s. 1006.735, F.S.; creating
71 the Complete Florida Plus Program, rather than the
72 Complete Florida Degree Program, within the Innovation
73 Institute of the University of West Florida; providing
74 a purpose for the program; establishing the Complete
75 Florida Degree Initiative; requiring the initiative to
76 use labor market data and projections to identify
77 specific workforce needs and targeted occupations;
78 deleting implementing provisions relating to the
79 Complete Florida Degree Program; providing duties of
80 the Complete Florida Degree Initiative; requiring the
81 Complete Florida Plus Program to develop and manage a
82 statewide Internet-based catalog of distance learning
83 courses, degree programs, and resources offered by
84 public postsecondary education institutions; providing
85 requirements for the operational procedures for the
86 catalog; requiring the Complete Florida Plus Program
87 to make available to postsecondary students specified
88 online supports and services; providing that records,
89 personnel, property, existing contracts, unexpended
90 balances of appropriations, allocations, grants, and
91 other funds of the Florida Virtual Campus are
92 transferred to the University of West Florida;
93 providing that the University of West Florida is the
94 successor in interest to the Florida Virtual Campus;
95 deleting an obsolete provision; amending ss. 1007.01,
96 1009.23, and 1009.24, F.S.; conforming cross
97 references; amending s. 1011.71, F.S.; conforming
98 provisions to changes made by the act; providing an
99 effective date.
100
101 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
102
103 Section 1. Subsection (15) is added to section 1011.62,
104 Florida Statutes, to read:
105 1011.62 Funds for operation of schools.—If the annual
106 allocation from the Florida Education Finance Program to each
107 district for operation of schools is not determined in the
108 annual appropriations act or the substantive bill implementing
109 the annual appropriations act, it shall be determined as
110 follows:
111 (15) FLORIDA DIGITAL CLASSROOMS.—
112 (a) The Florida digital classrooms allocation is created to
113 support district and school efforts and strategies to improve
114 outcomes related to student performance by integrating
115 technology in classroom teaching and learning. The outcomes must
116 be measurable and may also be unique to the needs of individual
117 schools and school districts within the general parameters
118 established by the Department of Education.
119 (b) Each district school board shall adopt a district
120 digital classrooms plan that meets the unique needs of students,
121 schools, and personnel and submit the plan for approval to the
122 department. In addition, each district school board must, at a
123 minimum, seek input from the district’s instructional,
124 curriculum, and information technology staff to develop the
125 district digital classrooms plan. The district’s plan must be
126 within the general parameters established in the Florida digital
127 classrooms plan pursuant to paragraph (c). In addition, if the
128 district participates in federal technology initiatives and
129 grant programs, the district digital classrooms plan must
130 include a plan for meeting requirements of such initiatives and
131 grant programs. Funds allocated under this subsection must be
132 used to support implementation of district digital classrooms
133 plans. By October 1, 2014, and by March 1 of each year
134 thereafter, on a date determined by the department, each
135 district school board shall submit to the department, in a
136 format prescribed by the department, a digital classrooms plan.
137 At a minimum, such plan must include, and be annually updated to
138 reflect, the following:
139 1. Measurable student performance outcomes. Outcomes
140 related to student performance, including outcomes for students
141 with disabilities, must be tied to the efforts and strategies to
142 improve outcomes related to student performance by integrating
143 technology in classroom teaching and learning. Results of the
144 outcomes shall be reported at least annually for the current
145 school year and subsequent 3 years and be accompanied by an
146 independent evaluation and validation of the reported results.
147 2. Digital learning and technology infrastructure purchases
148 and operational activities. Such purchases and activities must
149 be tied to the measurable outcomes under subparagraph 1.,
150 including, but not limited to, connectivity, broadband access,
151 wireless capacity, Internet speed, and data security, all of
152 which must meet or exceed minimum requirements and protocols
153 established by the department. For each year that the district
154 uses funds for infrastructure, a third-party, independent
155 evaluation of the district’s technology inventory and
156 infrastructure needs must accompany the district’s plan.
157 3. Professional development purchases and operational
158 activities. Such purchases and activities must be tied to the
159 measurable outcomes under subparagraph 1., including, but not
160 limited to, using technology in the classroom and improving
161 digital literacy and competency.
162 4. Digital tool purchases and operational activities. Such
163 purchases and activities must be tied to the measurable outcomes
164 under subparagraph 1., including, but not limited to,
165 competency-based credentials that measure and demonstrate
166 digital competency and certifications; third-party assessments
167 that demonstrate acquired knowledge and use of digital
168 applications; and devices that meet or exceed minimum
169 requirements and protocols established by the department.
170 5. Online assessment-related purchases and operational
171 activities. Such purchases and activities must be tied to the
172 measurable outcomes under subparagraph 1., including, but not
173 limited to, expanding the capacity to administer assessments and
174 compatibility with minimum assessment protocols and requirements
175 established by the department.
176 (c) The State Board of Education shall adopt a Florida
177 digital classrooms plan that, at a minimum, establishes minimum
178 protocols, parameters, and requirements for district-level
179 infrastructure, school-level infrastructure, and digital tools
180 that accommodate statutory requirements and timelines for
181 instruction, learning, assessments, and accountability. The
182 Department of Education may consult with qualified experts to
183 develop the Florida digital classrooms plan. The Florida digital
184 classrooms plan shall be prepared for the current school year
185 and the subsequent 5 years. The plan shall be reviewed and
186 updated annually and must specify the criteria for the annual
187 review and approval of the districts’ digital classrooms plans.
188 (d) The Legislature shall annually provide in the General
189 Appropriations Act a Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP)
190 allocation for implementation of the digital classrooms plan to
191 be calculated in an amount up to 1 percent of the base student
192 allocation multiplied by the total K-12 full-time equivalent
193 student enrollment included in the FEFP calculations for the
194 legislative appropriation or as provided in the General
195 Appropriations Act. Each school district shall be provided a
196 minimum of $250,000, with the remaining balance of the
197 allocation to be distributed based on each district’s proportion
198 of the total K-12 full-time equivalent student enrollment.
199 Distribution of funds for the Florida digital classrooms
200 allocation shall begin following submittal of each district’s
201 digital classrooms plan, which must include formal verification
202 of the superintendent’s approval of the digital classrooms plan
203 of each charter school in the district, and approval of the plan
204 by the department. Prior to the distribution of the Florida
205 digital classrooms allocation funds, each district school
206 superintendent shall certify to the Commissioner of Education
207 that the district school board has approved a comprehensive
208 district digital classrooms plan that supports the fidelity of
209 implementation of the Florida digital classrooms allocation.
210 District allocations shall be recalculated during the fiscal
211 year consistent with the periodic recalculation of the FEFP.
212 School districts shall provide a proportionate share of the
213 digital classrooms allocation to each charter school in the
214 district, as required for categorical programs in s.
215 1002.33(17)(b). A school district may use a competitive process
216 to distribute funds for the Florida digital classrooms
217 allocation to the schools within the school district.
218 (e) To facilitate the implementation of the district
219 digital classrooms plans and charter school digital classrooms
220 plans, the commissioner shall support statewide, coordinated
221 partnerships and efforts of this state’s education practitioners
222 in the field, including, but not limited to, superintendents,
223 principals, and teachers, to identify and share best practices,
224 corrective actions, and other identified needs.
225 (f) Beginning in the 2015-2016 fiscal year and each year
226 thereafter, each district school board shall report to the
227 department its use of funds provided through the Florida digital
228 classrooms allocation and student performance outcomes in
229 accordance with the district’s digital classrooms plan. The
230 department may contract with an independent third-party entity
231 to conduct an annual independent verification of the district’s
232 use of Florida digital classrooms allocation funds in accordance
233 with the district’s digital classrooms plan. In the event an
234 independent third-party verification is not conducted, the
235 Auditor General shall, during scheduled operational audits of
236 the school districts, verify compliance of the use of Florida
237 digital classrooms allocation funds in accordance with the
238 district’s digital classrooms plan. No later than October 1 of
239 each year, beginning in the 2015-2016 fiscal year, the
240 commissioner shall provide to the Governor, the President of the
241 Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives a
242 summary of each district’s use of funds, student performance
243 outcomes, and progress toward meeting statutory requirements and
244 timelines.
245 (g) The State Board of Education may adopt rules pursuant
246 to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to administer this subsection.
247 Section 2. Paragraph (b) of subsection (17) and paragraph
248 (a) of subsection (20) of section 1002.33, Florida Statutes, are
249 amended to read:
250 1002.33 Charter schools.—
251 (17) FUNDING.—Students enrolled in a charter school,
252 regardless of the sponsorship, shall be funded as if they are in
253 a basic program or a special program, the same as students
254 enrolled in other public schools in the school district. Funding
255 for a charter lab school shall be as provided in s. 1002.32.
256 (b) The basis for the agreement for funding students
257 enrolled in a charter school shall be the sum of the school
258 district’s operating funds from the Florida Education Finance
259 Program as provided in s. 1011.62 and the General Appropriations
260 Act, including gross state and local funds, discretionary
261 lottery funds, and funds from the school district’s current
262 operating discretionary millage levy; divided by total funded
263 weighted full-time equivalent students in the school district;
264 multiplied by the weighted full-time equivalent students for the
265 charter school. Charter schools whose students or programs meet
266 the eligibility criteria in law are shall be entitled to their
267 proportionate share of categorical program funds included in the
268 total funds available in the Florida Education Finance Program
269 by the Legislature, including transportation and the Florida
270 digital classrooms allocation. Total funding for each charter
271 school shall be recalculated during the year to reflect the
272 revised calculations under the Florida Education Finance Program
273 by the state and the actual weighted full-time equivalent
274 students reported by the charter school during the full-time
275 equivalent student survey periods designated by the Commissioner
276 of Education.
277 (20) SERVICES.—
278 (a)1. A sponsor shall provide certain administrative and
279 educational services to charter schools. These services shall
280 include contract management services; full-time equivalent and
281 data reporting services; exceptional student education
282 administration services; services related to eligibility and
283 reporting duties required to ensure that school lunch services
284 under the federal lunch program, consistent with the needs of
285 the charter school, are provided by the school district at the
286 request of the charter school, that any funds due to the charter
287 school under the federal lunch program be paid to the charter
288 school as soon as the charter school begins serving food under
289 the federal lunch program, and that the charter school is paid
290 at the same time and in the same manner under the federal lunch
291 program as other public schools serviced by the sponsor or the
292 school district; test administration services, including payment
293 of the costs of state-required or district-required student
294 assessments; processing of teacher certificate data services;
295 and information services, including equal access to student
296 information systems that are used by public schools in the
297 district in which the charter school is located. Student
298 performance data for each student in a charter school,
299 including, but not limited to, FCAT scores, standardized test
300 scores, previous public school student report cards, and student
301 performance measures, shall be provided by the sponsor to a
302 charter school in the same manner provided to other public
303 schools in the district.
304 2. A total administrative fee for the provision of such
305 services shall be calculated based upon up to 5 percent of the
306 available funds defined in paragraph (17)(b) for all students,
307 except that when 75 percent or more of the students enrolled in
308 the charter school are exceptional students as defined in s.
309 1003.01(3), the 5 percent of those available funds shall be
310 calculated based on unweighted full-time equivalent students.
311 However, a sponsor may only withhold up to a 5-percent
312 administrative fee for enrollment for up to and including 250
313 students. For charter schools with a population of 251 or more
314 students, the difference between the total administrative fee
315 calculation and the amount of the administrative fee withheld
316 may only be used for capital outlay purposes specified in s.
317 1013.62(2).
318 3. For high-performing charter schools, as defined in ch.
319 2011-232, a sponsor may withhold a total administrative fee of
320 up to 2 percent for enrollment up to and including 250 students
321 per school.
322 4. In addition, a sponsor may withhold only up to a 5
323 percent administrative fee for enrollment for up to and
324 including 500 students within a system of charter schools which
325 meets all of the following:
326 a. Includes both conversion charter schools and
327 nonconversion charter schools;
328 b. Has all schools located in the same county;
329 c. Has a total enrollment exceeding the total enrollment of
330 at least one school district in the state;
331 d. Has the same governing board; and
332 e. Does not contract with a for-profit service provider for
333 management of school operations.
334 5. The difference between the total administrative fee
335 calculation and the amount of the administrative fee withheld
336 pursuant to subparagraph 4. may be used for instructional and
337 administrative purposes as well as for capital outlay purposes
338 specified in s. 1013.62(2).
339 6. For a high-performing charter school system that also
340 meets the requirements in subparagraph 4., a sponsor may
341 withhold a 2-percent administrative fee for enrollments up to
342 and including 500 students per system.
343 7. Sponsors shall not charge charter schools any additional
344 fees or surcharges for administrative and educational services
345 in addition to the maximum 5-percent administrative fee withheld
346 pursuant to this paragraph.
347 8. The sponsor of a virtual charter school may withhold a
348 fee of up to 5 percent. The funds shall be used to cover the
349 cost of services provided under subparagraph 1. and
350 implementation of for the school district’s digital classrooms
351 plan pursuant to s. 1011.62 local instructional improvement
352 system pursuant to s. 1006.281 or other technological tools that
353 are required to access electronic and digital instructional
354 materials.
355 Section 3. Paragraph (e) of subsection (1) and subsection
356 (10) of section 1002.45, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
357 1002.45 Virtual instruction programs.—
358 (1) PROGRAM.—
359 (e) Each school district shall:
360 1. Provide to the department by October 1, 2011, and by
361 each October 1 thereafter, a copy of each contract and the
362 amounts paid per unweighted full-time equivalent student for
363 services procured pursuant to subparagraphs (c)1. and 2.
364 2. Expend the difference in funds provided for a student
365 participating in the school district virtual instruction program
366 pursuant to subsection (7) and the price paid for contracted
367 services procured pursuant to subparagraphs (c)1. and 2. for
368 implementation of the school district’s digital classrooms plan
369 pursuant to s. 1011.62 the district’s local instructional
370 improvement system pursuant to s. 1006.281 or other
371 technological tools that are required to access electronic and
372 digital instructional materials.
373 3. At the end of each fiscal year, but no later than
374 September 1, report to the department an itemized list of the
375 technological tools purchased with these funds.
376 (10) MARKETING.—At the beginning of each school year, each
377 school district shall provide notification information to
378 parents and students about a the parent’s and student’s right
379 and choice to participate in a virtual instruction program under
380 this section and in courses offered by the Florida Virtual
381 School under s. 1002.37.
382 Section 4. Section 1006.281, Florida Statutes, is repealed.
383 Section 5. Section 1006.282, Florida Statutes, is repealed.
384 Section 6. Paragraph (b) of subsection (3) of section
385 1006.38, Florida Statutes, is amended:
386 1006.38 Duties, responsibilities, and requirements of
387 instructional materials publishers and manufacturers.—This
388 section applies to both the state and district approval
389 processes. Publishers and manufacturers of instructional
390 materials, or their representatives, shall:
391 (3) Submit, at a time designated in s. 1006.33, the
392 following information:
393 (b) Evidence that the publisher or manufacturer has
394 provided materials that address the performance standards
395 provided for in s. 1001.03(1) and that can be accessed through
396 the school district’s digital classrooms plan local
397 instructional improvement system and a variety of electronic,
398 digital, and mobile devices.
399 Section 7. Section 1007.2616, Florida Statutes, is created
400 to read:
401 1007.2616 Computer science and technology instruction.—
402 (1) Public schools shall provide students in grades K-12
403 opportunities for learning computer science, including, but not
404 limited to, computer coding and computer programming. Such
405 opportunities may include coding instruction in elementary
406 school and middle school, instruction to develop students’
407 computer usage and digital literacy skills in middle school, and
408 courses in computer science, computer coding, and computer
409 programming in high school, including earning related industry
410 certifications.
411 (2) Elementary schools and middle schools may establish
412 digital classrooms in which students are provided opportunities
413 to improve digital literacy and competency; to learn digital
414 skills, such as coding, multiple media presentation, and the
415 manipulation of multiple digital graphic images; and to earn
416 digital tools, such as certificates and certifications pursuant
417 to s. 1003.4203 and grade-appropriate, technology-related
418 industry certifications.
419 (3) High schools may provide students with opportunities to
420 take computer science courses to satisfy high school graduation
421 requirements, including, but not limited to, the following:
422 (a) High school computer science courses of sufficient
423 rigor, as identified by the commissioner, such that one credit
424 in computer science and the earning of related industry
425 certifications constitute the equivalent of up to one credit of
426 mathematics requirement, with the exception of Algebra I or
427 higher level mathematics, or up to one credit of science
428 requirement, with the exception of Biology I or higher level
429 science, for high school graduation. Computer science courses
430 and technology-related industry certifications that are
431 identified as eligible for meeting mathematics or science
432 requirements for high school graduation shall be included in the
433 Course Code Directory.
434 (b) High school computer technology courses in 3D rapid
435 prototype printing of sufficient rigor, as identified by the
436 commissioner, such that one or more credits in such courses and
437 related industry certifications earned may satisfy up to two
438 credits of mathematics required for high school graduation.
439 Computer technology courses in 3D rapid prototype printing and
440 related industry certifications that are identified as eligible
441 for meeting mathematics requirements for high school graduation
442 shall be included in the Course Code Directory.
443 (c) Courses in computer science, such that one credit, at
444 the discretion of the local district school board, may satisfy
445 one credit in physical education which is required for high
446 school graduation.
447 (4) The State Board of Education may adopt rules pursuant
448 to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to administer this section.
449 Section 8. Section 1004.448, Florida Statutes, is created
450 to read:
451 1004.448 Florida Center for Library Automation.—
452 (1) The Florida Center for Library Automation is
453 established to provide a single library automation system and
454 associated resources and services that all public postsecondary
455 institutions shall use to support their learning, teaching, and
456 research needs.
457 (2) The Florida Center for Library Automation shall:
458 (a) Develop and manage a library information portal and
459 automated library management tools for use by the Florida
460 College System institutions and state universities. The library
461 information portal and automated library management tools must
462 include, but are not limited to, the following services and
463 functions:
464 1. A shared Internet-based catalog and a discovery tool
465 that allow a user to search and, if authorized, access the
466 aggregate library holdings of the state’s public postsecondary
467 education institutions. The catalog and discovery tool must
468 allow the user to search the library holdings of one
469 institution, selected institutions, or all institutions and, to
470 the extent feasible, include an interlibrary loan function that
471 ensures that the authorized user can access the required library
472 holding.
473 2. An Internet-based searchable collection of electronic
474 resources which includes, but is not limited to, full-text
475 journals, articles, databases, and electronic books that the
476 center licenses pursuant to paragraph (b).
477 3. An integrated library management system and its
478 associated services that all public postsecondary education
479 institution academic libraries must use for purposes of
480 acquiring, cataloging, circulating, and tracking library
481 material.
482 4. A statewide searchable database that includes an
483 inventory of digital archives and collections held by public
484 postsecondary education institutions.
485 (b) Coordinate the negotiation of statewide licensing of
486 electronic library resources and preferred pricing agreements,
487 issue purchase orders, and enter into contracts for the
488 acquisition of library support services, electronic resources,
489 and other goods and services necessary to carry out its duties
490 under this section.
491 (c) Promote and provide recommendations concerning the use
492 and distribution of open-access textbooks and education
493 resources as a method for reducing costs and work with public
494 postsecondary education institutions in developing a
495 standardized process for the review and approval of open-access
496 textbooks.
497 (3) The Florida Center for Library Automation shall be
498 administered by an executive director who is accountable to the
499 executive director of the University of West Florida’s
500 Innovation Institute. The executive director of the Florida
501 Center for Library Automation shall:
502 (a) Independently exercise all powers, duties, and
503 functions of the center as prescribed by law.
504 (b) Administer the operational requirements of the center.
505 (c) Hire professional and administrative staff necessary to
506 carry out the duties of the center.
507 (d) Keep administrative staff to the minimum necessary to
508 administer the duties of the center.
509 Section 9. Section 1006.72, Florida Statutes, is repealed.
510 Section 10. Section 1006.73, Florida Statutes, is repealed.
511 Section 11. Section 1006.735, Florida Statutes, is amended
512 to read:
513 1006.735 Complete Florida Plus Degree Program.—The Complete
514 Florida Plus Program is created within the Innovation Institute
515 at the University of West Florida.
516 (1) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the Complete Florida Plus
517 Program is to:
518 (a) Facilitate degree completion for the state’s adult
519 learners through the Complete Florida Degree Initiative.
520 (b) Provide information and access to distance learning
521 courses and degree programs offered by the state’s public
522 postsecondary education institutions.
523 (c) Coordinate with the Florida College System and the
524 State University System to identify and provide online academic
525 support services and resources when the multi-institutional
526 provision of such services and resources is more cost-effective
527 or operationally effective.
528 (2)(1) COMPLETE FLORIDA DEGREE INITIATIVE.—The Complete
529 Florida Degree Initiative Program is established for the purpose
530 of recruiting, recovering, and retaining the state’s adult
531 learners and assisting them in completing an associate degree or
532 a baccalaureate degree that is aligned to high-wage, high-skill
533 workforce needs. As used in this section, the term “adult
534 learner” means a student who has successfully completed college
535 level coursework in multiple semesters but has left an
536 institution in good standing before completing his or her
537 degree. The program shall give priority to adult learners who
538 are veterans or active duty members of the United States Armed
539 Forces.
540 (a)(2) The Complete Florida Degree Initiative Program shall
541 be implemented by the University of West Florida, acting as the
542 lead institution, in coordination with Florida College System
543 institutions, state universities, and private postsecondary
544 institutions, as appropriate. The initiative includes program
545 shall include the associate, applied baccalaureate, and
546 baccalaureate degree programs that these institutions have
547 selected. Other partnering public postsecondary education
548 institutions shall provide areas of specialization or
549 concentration.
550 (b)(3) In determining For purposes of selecting the degree
551 programs that will be given priority, in the Complete Florida
552 Degree Initiative Program, the institutions identified in
553 subsection (2) shall partner with public and private job
554 recruitment and placement agencies and use labor market data and
555 projections, including those identified in the Board of
556 Governors’ gap analysis, to identify the specific workforce
557 needs and targeted occupations of the state.
558 (c)(4) The Complete Florida Degree Initiative Program shall
559 provide adult learners with a single point of access to
560 information and links to innovative online and accelerated
561 distance learning courses, student and library support services,
562 and electronic resources that will guide the adult learner
563 toward the successful completion of a postsecondary degree.
564 (5) By the end of the 2013-2014 academic year, the Complete
565 Florida Degree Program shall be implemented and must:
566 (a) Use the distance learning course catalog established
567 pursuant to s. 1006.73 to communicate course availability to the
568 adult learner.
569 (b) Develop and implement an advising and student support
570 system that includes the use of degree completion specialists,
571 is based upon best practices and processes, and includes
572 academic and career support services designed specifically for
573 the adult learner. The program must identify proposed changes to
574 the statewide computer-assisted student advising system
575 established pursuant to s. 1006.73 to assist the adult learner
576 in using the system.
577 (c) Use the streamlined, automated, online admissions
578 application process for transient students established pursuant
579 to s. 1006.73. The program shall identify any additional
580 admissions and registration policies and practices that could be
581 further streamlined and automated for purposes of assisting the
582 adult learner.
583 (d) The Complete Florida Degree Initiative shall:
584 1. Use existing and, if necessary, develop new competency
585 based instructional and evaluation tools to assess prior
586 performance, experience, and education for the award of college
587 credit in order to reduce the time required for adult learners
588 to complete their degrees. The tools may include the use of the
589 American Council on Education’s collaborative link between the
590 United States Department of Defense and higher education through
591 the review of military training and experiences for the award of
592 equivalent college credit for members of the United States Armed
593 Forces.
594 2.(e) Develop and implement an evaluation process that
595 collects, analyzes, and provides to the chancellors of the
596 Florida College System and the State University System, the
597 participating postsecondary education institutions, the chairs
598 of the legislative appropriations committees, and the Executive
599 Office of the Governor information on the effectiveness of the
600 program and the attainment of its goals. Such a process shall
601 include a management information system that collects the
602 appropriate student, programmatic, and fiscal data necessary to
603 complete the evaluation of the program. Institutions involved in
604 the program shall also collect job placement and employment data
605 on the adult learners who have completed their degrees as a
606 result of the program.
607 3.(f) Develop and implement a statewide student recruitment
608 campaign targeted toward adult learners, particularly veterans
609 and active duty members of the United States Armed Forces, for
610 enrollment in the degree programs offered through the program.
611 (e)(6) For purposes of the Complete Florida Degree
612 Initiative Program, each institution’s current tuition and fee
613 structure shall be used. However, all participating institutions
614 shall collaboratively identify the applicable cost components
615 involved in the development and delivery of distance learning
616 courses, collect information on these cost components, and
617 submit the information to the chancellors of the Florida College
618 System and the State University System. The chancellors shall
619 submit a report to the chairs of the legislative appropriations
620 committees no later than December 31, 2014, on the need for a
621 differentiated tuition and fee structure for the development and
622 delivery of distance learning courses.
623 (3) STATEWIDE INTERNET-BASED CATALOG OF DISTANCE LEARNING
624 COURSES.—The Complete Florida Plus Program shall develop and
625 manage a statewide Internet-based catalog of distance learning
626 courses, degree programs, and resources offered by public
627 postsecondary education institutions to assist with the
628 coordination and collaboration of articulation and access to
629 postsecondary education pursuant to parts II and III of chapter
630 1007. The program shall establish operational procedures for the
631 catalog which must:
632 (a) Require participating institutions to provide specific
633 information concerning the distance learning courses and degree
634 programs including, but not limited to, prerequisite courses or
635 technology competencies or skills; the availability of academic
636 support services and financial aid resources; and course costs,
637 fees, and payment policies.
638 (b) Require that distance learning courses and degree
639 programs meet applicable accreditation standards and criteria
640 established in law.
641 (c) Require that the catalog be reviewed at least annually
642 and updated as needed to ensure that distance learning courses
643 and degree programs comply with operational procedures.
644 (d) Define and describe the catalog’s search and retrieval
645 options that, at a minimum, allow users to search courses and
646 programs by academic term or start date; institution or
647 institutions; delivery method, level, availability, subject or
648 discipline, and course number or program classification number.
649 (e) Use an Internet-based analytic tool that allows for the
650 collection and analysis of information, including, but not
651 limited to:
652 1. The number of students who use the catalog to search for
653 distance learning courses and degree programs;
654 2. The number and type of requests for information on
655 distance learning courses and degree programs that are not
656 listed in the catalog; and
657 3. A summary of specific requests by course type or course
658 number, delivery method, offering institution, and semester.
659 (4) STATEWIDE ONLINE STUDENT ADVISING SERVICES AND
660 SUPPORT.—The Complete Florida Plus Program shall make available
661 to all postsecondary students on a statewide basis online
662 supports and services that:
663 (a) Provide a streamlined, automated, online admissions
664 application process for undergraduate transient students who are
665 currently enrolled and pursuing a degree at a public
666 postsecondary education institution and who enroll in a course
667 offered by a public postsecondary education institution that is
668 not the student’s degree-granting institution. The University of
669 West Florida shall work with the Florida College System
670 institutions and state universities to:
671 1. Use the transient student admissions application
672 available through the statewide computer-assisted student
673 advising system established pursuant to paragraph (b). This
674 admissions application is the only application required for the
675 enrollment of a transient student as described in this
676 paragraph.
677 2. Implement the financial aid procedures required by the
678 transient student admissions application process.
679 3. Transfer credit awarded by the institution offering the
680 course to the transient student’s degree-granting institution.
681 4. Provide for an interface between the institutional
682 advising system and the statewide computer-assisted student
683 advising system established pursuant to paragraph (b) in order
684 to electronically send, receive, and process the transient
685 student admissions application.
686 (b) Develop and manage a statewide computer-assisted
687 student advising system that supports the process of advising,
688 registering, and certifying students for graduation and includes
689 a degree audit and an articulation component. The Florida
690 College System institutions and state universities shall
691 interface institutional advising systems with the statewide
692 computer-assisted student advising system. At a minimum, the
693 statewide computer-assisted student advising system must:
694 1. Allow a student to access the system at any time, search
695 public postsecondary education institutions, and identify course
696 options that will meet the requirements of a selected path
697 toward a degree.
698 2. Audit transcripts of students enrolled in a public
699 postsecondary education institution to assess current academic
700 standing, the requirements for a student to transfer to another
701 institution, and all requirements necessary for graduation.
702 3. Serve as the official statewide repository for the
703 common prerequisite manual, admissions information for
704 transferring programs, foreign language requirements, residency
705 requirements, and statewide articulation agreements.
706 4. Provide information relating to career descriptions and
707 corresponding educational requirements, admissions requirements,
708 and available sources of student financial assistance.
709 5. Provide the admissions application for transient
710 students pursuant to paragraph (a) which must include the
711 electronic transfer and receipt of information and records for:
712 a. Admissions and readmissions;
713 b. Financial aid; and
714 c. Transfer of credit awarded by the institution offering
715 the course to the transient student’s degree-granting
716 institution.
717 (c) Identify and evaluate new technologies and
718 instructional methods that can be used to improve distance
719 learning instruction and professional development for faculty,
720 student learning outcomes, student access, the delivery of
721 student support services, the alignment of degrees to career
722 needs, and the overall quality of postsecondary distance
723 learning courses and degree programs.
724 (d) Provide appropriate help desk support and training and
725 consultation services to institutions and students using the
726 services and resources of the Complete Florida Plus Program.
727 (e) Coordinate the negotiation of statewide licensing
728 resources and preferred pricing agreements, issue purchase
729 orders, and execute contracts for the acquisition of distance
730 learning resources, student support services, electronic
731 resources, and other goods and services necessary to perform
732 duties under this section.
733 (f) Develop and implement a plan, in consultation with the
734 public postsecondary education institutions, that describes the
735 services and resources available through the Complete Florida
736 Plus Program to encourage current and prospective students’ use
737 of such services and resources.
738 (5) All records, personnel, property, existing contracts,
739 and unexpended balances of appropriations, allocations, grants,
740 and other funds of the Florida Virtual Campus shall be
741 transferred to the University of West Florida. The University of
742 West Florida shall be the successor in interest to the Florida
743 Virtual Campus and shall be responsible for the provision of all
744 services as authorized by this section.
745 (7) The University of West Florida, in collaboration with
746 its partners, shall submit to the chairs of the Board of
747 Governors, the State Board of Education, and the legislative
748 appropriations committees no later than September 1, 2013, a
749 detailed program plan that defines the major work activities,
750 student eligibility criteria, timeline, and cost for
751 implementing the Complete Florida Degree Program.
752 Section 12. Paragraph (h) of subsection (3) of section
753 1007.01, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
754 1007.01 Articulation; legislative intent; purpose; role of
755 the State Board of Education and the Board of Governors;
756 Articulation Coordinating Committee.—
757 (3) The Commissioner of Education, in consultation with the
758 Chancellor of the State University System, shall establish the
759 Articulation Coordinating Committee, which shall make
760 recommendations related to statewide articulation policies and
761 issues regarding access, quality, and reporting of data
762 maintained by the K-20 data warehouse, established pursuant to
763 ss. 1001.10 and 1008.31, to the Higher Education Coordination
764 Council, the State Board of Education, and the Board of
765 Governors. The committee shall consist of two members each
766 representing the State University System, the Florida College
767 System, public career and technical education, K-12 education,
768 and nonpublic postsecondary education and one member
769 representing students. The chair shall be elected from the
770 membership. The Office of K-20 Articulation shall provide
771 administrative support for the committee. The committee shall:
772 (h) Recommend roles and responsibilities of public
773 education entities in interfacing with the single, statewide
774 computer-assisted student advising system established pursuant
775 to s. 1006.735 s. 1006.73.
776 Section 13. Paragraph (a) of subsection (16) and subsection
777 (17) of section 1009.23, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
778 1009.23 Florida College System institution student fees.—
779 (16)(a) Each Florida College System institution may assess
780 a student who enrolls in a course listed in the distance
781 learning catalog, established pursuant to s. 1006.735 s.
782 1006.73, a per-credit-hour distance learning course user fee.
783 For purposes of assessing this fee, a distance learning course
784 is a course in which at least 80 percent of the direct
785 instruction of the course is delivered using some form of
786 technology when the student and instructor are separated by time
787 or space, or both.
788 (17) Each Florida College System institution that accepts
789 transient students, pursuant to s. 1006.735 s. 1006.73, may
790 establish a transient student fee not to exceed $5 per course
791 for processing the transient student admissions application.
792 Section 14. Paragraph (t) of subsection (14) and paragraph
793 (a) of subsection (17) of section 1009.24, Florida Statutes, are
794 amended to read:
795 1009.24 State university student fees.—
796 (14) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (15), each
797 university board of trustees is authorized to establish the
798 following fees:
799 (t) A transient student fee that may not exceed $5 per
800 course for accepting a transient student and processing the
801 transient student admissions application pursuant to s. 1006.735
802 s. 1006.73.
803
804 With the exception of housing rental rates and except as
805 otherwise provided, fees assessed pursuant to paragraphs (h)-(s)
806 shall be based on reasonable costs of services. The Board of
807 Governors shall adopt regulations and timetables necessary to
808 implement the fees and fines authorized under this subsection.
809 The fees assessed under this subsection may be used for debt
810 only as authorized under s. 1010.62.
811 (17)(a) A state university may assess a student who enrolls
812 in a course listed in the distance learning catalog, established
813 pursuant to s. 1006.735 s. 1006.73, a per-credit-hour distance
814 learning course fee. For purposes of assessing this fee, a
815 distance learning course is a course in which at least 80
816 percent of the direct instruction of the course is delivered
817 using some form of technology when the student and instructor
818 are separated by time or space, or both.
819 Section 15. Paragraph (d) of subsection (2) of section
820 1011.71, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
821 1011.71 District school tax.—
822 (2) In addition to the maximum millage levy as provided in
823 subsection (1), each school board may levy not more than 1.5
824 mills against the taxable value for school purposes for district
825 schools, including charter schools at the discretion of the
826 school board, to fund:
827 (d) The purchase, lease-purchase, or lease of new and
828 replacement equipment; computer hardware, including electronic
829 hardware and other hardware devices necessary for gaining access
830 to or enhancing the use of electronic content and resources or
831 to facilitate the access to and the use of a school district’s
832 digital classrooms plan pursuant to s. 1011.62 electronic
833 learning management system pursuant to s. 1006.281, excluding
834 software other than the operating system necessary to operate
835 the hardware or device; and enterprise resource software
836 applications that are classified as capital assets in accordance
837 with definitions of the Governmental Accounting Standards Board,
838 have a useful life of at least 5 years, and are used to support
839 districtwide administration or state-mandated reporting
840 requirements.
841 Section 16. This act shall take effect July 1, 2014.
