Current through Reg. 50, No. 187; September 24, 2024
(1) Purpose. The purpose of this rule is to
establish a process that enables a school district to award high school credit
to a student with demonstrable participation in a career and technical student
organization.
(2) Intent. It is the
intent of this rule that school districts facilitate opportunities for students
in grades 6 through 12 to actively participate in a wide variety of career and
technical student organizations that foster development of practical skills,
leadership qualities, and overall career readiness.
(3) Definitions.
(a) "Career and technical education program"
means a comprehensive program of secondary instruction for which a curriculum
framework has been adopted in accordance with Rule
6A-6.0571, F.A.C.
(b) "Career and technical student
organization" or "CTSO" means organizations for students enrolled in a career
and technical education program that engages in career and technical education
activities as an integral part of the instructional program to develop
knowledge and skills by participating in activities, events, and
competitions.
(c) "Career and
technical student organization advisor" means the instructional personnel, as
defined in s. 1012.01(2),
F.S., that is responsible for the management of the CTSO chapter and student
members at the local level. The advisor is also responsible for student
involvement and participation in local, regional, and state CTSO
activities.
(d) "District" means a
Florida school district or district school board, a charter school governing
board, the Florida Virtual School (s.
1002.37, F.S.), the Florida
School for the Deaf and the Blind (s.
1002.36, F.S.), and
Developmental Research (Laboratory) Schools (s.
1002.32,
F.S.).
(4) Minimum
requirements to receive credit for CTSO participation.
(a) Beginning in the 2023-24 school year, a
student in grades 6 through 12 may be awarded one high school credit upon
providing his or her school with verifiable documentation showing an
accumulation of at least one hundred thirty-five (135) hours of participation
in CTSO activities that occur outside of regular class time. The 135-hour
threshold may be accumulated over the course of one or more academic
years.
(b) To count toward high
school credit, CTSO experiences and activities must provide the opportunity for
students to apply academic and technical content to career experiences. These
activities may include events, projects, competitions, and workshops, including
preparation or practice time for such activities, supervised agricultural
experiences or any other activity that meets the definition of work-based
learning under s. 446.0915, F.S., that is related
to a CTSO.
(5) Process
for awarding high school credit.
(a) A school
district may award one high school credit for demonstrable participation in
CTSO activities, in accordance with district policies and its student
progression plan under s.
1008.25, F.S.
(b) Credit awarded must satisfy an elective
requirement for a standard high school diploma, adult standard high school
diploma, or certificate of completion under s.
1003.4282, F.S., or an elective
credit for the Academically Challenging Curriculum to Enhance Learning (ACCEL)
Option under s. 1002.3105, F.S.
(c) For students pursuing a standard diploma
through the career and technical education pathway option under s.
1003.4282, F.S., the high school
credit will satisfy one credit in work-based learning.
(d) The school district must use the transfer
number provided in the Course Code Directory, adopted in
6A-1.09441, F.A.C., for granting
credit that must be recorded on student records and transcripts. Districts must
not report the course or credit earned through CTSO participation for funding
through the Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP).
(6) Required Procedures. Districts must
develop procedures to evaluate and award high school credit for demonstrable
participation in CTSO activities in accordance with this rule. Such procedures
must describe:
(a) Acceptable forms of
verifiable documentation of demonstrable CTSO participation;
(b) A process for evaluating if a student has
achieved the minimum standards to evidence demonstrable CTSO
participation;
(c) An explanation
of how and when high school credit will be awarded;
(d) A process for students transferring into
the district to present verifiable documentation of demonstrable CTSO
participation;
(e) Key timelines
and deadlines for submission of verifiable documentation; and
(f) Training for CTSO advisors, teachers, and
other relevant school-based or school district personnel on the requirements to
award credit for CTSO participation.
Rulemaking Authority 1001.02(1), (2)(n),
1003.4282 (7)(a)4. FS. Law
Implemented 1003.4282, FS.
New 2-20-24.
