1003.4282 Requirements for a standard high school diploma.—
(1) TWENTY-FOUR CREDITS REQUIRED.—
(a) Beginning with students entering grade 9 in the 2013-2014 school year, receipt of a standard high school diploma requires successful completion of 24 credits, an International Baccalaureate curriculum, or an Advanced International Certificate of Education curriculum.
(b) The required credits may be earned through equivalent, applied, or integrated courses or career education courses as defined in s. 1003.01(4), including work-related internships approved by the State Board of Education and identified in the course code directory. However, any must-pass assessment requirements must be met. An equivalent course is one or more courses identified by content-area experts as being a match to the core curricular content of another course, based upon review of the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards for that subject. An applied course aligns with Next Generation Sunshine State Standards and includes real-world applications of a career and technical education standard used in business or industry. An integrated course includes content from several courses within a content area or across content areas.
(2) NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS.—The school district must notify students and parents, in writing, of the requirements for a standard high school diploma, available designations, and the eligibility requirements for state scholarship programs and postsecondary admissions. The Department of Education shall directly and through the school districts notify registered private schools of public high school course credit and assessment requirements. Each private school must make this information available to students and their parents so they are aware of public high school graduation requirements.
(3) STANDARD HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA; COURSE AND ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS.—
(a) Four credits in English Language Arts (ELA).—The four credits must be in ELA I, II, III, and IV. A student must pass the statewide, standardized grade 10 Reading assessment or, when implemented, the grade 10 ELA assessment, or earn a concordant score, in order to earn a standard high school diploma.
(b) Four credits in mathematics.—A student must earn one credit in Algebra I and one credit in Geometry. A student’s performance on the statewide, standardized Algebra I end-of-course (EOC) assessment constitutes 30 percent of the student’s final course grade. A student must pass the statewide, standardized Algebra I EOC assessment, or earn a comparative score, in order to earn a standard high school diploma. A student’s performance on the statewide, standardized Geometry EOC assessment constitutes 30 percent of the student’s final course grade. If the state administers a statewide, standardized Algebra II assessment, a student selecting Algebra II must take the assessment, and the student’s performance on the assessment constitutes 30 percent of the student’s final course grade. A student who earns an industry certification for which there is a statewide college credit articulation agreement approved by the State Board of Education may substitute the certification for one mathematics credit. Substitution may occur for up to two mathematics credits, except for Algebra I and Geometry.
(c) Three credits in science.—Two of the three required credits must have a laboratory component. A student must earn one credit in Biology I and two credits in equally rigorous courses. The statewide, standardized Biology I EOC assessment constitutes 30 percent of the student’s final course grade. A student who earns an industry certification for which there is a statewide college credit articulation agreement approved by the State Board of Education may substitute the certification for one science credit, except for Biology I.
(d) Three credits in social studies.—A student must earn one credit in United States History; one credit in World History; one-half credit in economics, which must include financial literacy; and one-half credit in United States Government. The United States History EOC assessment constitutes 30 percent of the student’s final course grade.
(e) One credit in fine or performing arts, speech and debate, or practical arts.—The practical arts course must incorporate artistic content and techniques of creativity, interpretation, and imagination. Eligible practical arts courses are identified in the Course Code Directory.
(f) One credit in physical education.—Physical education must include the integration of health. Participation in an interscholastic sport at the junior varsity or varsity level for two full seasons shall satisfy the one-credit requirement in physical education if the student passes a competency test on personal fitness with a score of “C” or better. The competency test on personal fitness developed by the Department of Education must be used. A district school board may not require that the one credit in physical education be taken during the 9th grade year. Completion of one semester with a grade of “C” or better in a marching band class, in a physical activity class that requires participation in marching band activities as an extracurricular activity, or in a dance class shall satisfy one-half credit in physical education or one-half credit in performing arts. This credit may not be used to satisfy the personal fitness requirement or the requirement for adaptive physical education under an individual education plan (IEP) or 504 plan. Completion of 2 years in a Reserve Officer Training Corps (R.O.T.C.) class, a significant component of which is drills, shall satisfy the one-credit requirement in physical education and the one-credit requirement in performing arts. This credit may not be used to satisfy the personal fitness requirement or the requirement for adaptive physical education under an IEP or 504 plan.
(g) Eight credits in electives.—School districts must develop and offer coordinated electives so that a student may develop knowledge and skills in his or her area of interest, such as electives with a STEM or liberal arts focus. Such electives must include opportunities for students to earn college credit, including industry-certified career education programs or series of career-themed courses that result in industry certification or articulate into the award of college credit, or career education courses for which there is a statewide or local articulation agreement and which lead to college credit.
(4) ONLINE COURSE REQUIREMENT.— At least one course within the 24 credits required under this section must be completed through online learning. A school district may not require a student to take the online course outside the school day or in addition to a student’s courses for a given semester. An online course taken in grade 6, grade 7, or grade 8 fulfills this requirement. This requirement is met through an online course offered by the Florida Virtual School, a virtual education provider approved by the State Board of Education, a high school, or an online dual enrollment course. A student who is enrolled in a full-time or part-time virtual instruction program under s. 1002.45 meets this requirement. This requirement does not apply to a student who has an individual education plan under s. 1003.57 which indicates that an online course would be inappropriate or to an out-of-state transfer student who is enrolled in a Florida high school and has 1 academic year or less remaining in high school.
(5) GRADE FORGIVENESS POLICY.—Each district school board shall adopt policies designed to assist students in meeting graduation requirements including grade forgiveness policies. Forgiveness policies for required courses shall be limited to replacing a grade of “D” or “F” with a grade of “C” or higher earned subsequently in the same or comparable course. Forgiveness policies for elective courses shall be limited to replacing a grade of “D” or “F” with a grade of “C” or higher earned subsequently in another course. The only exception to these forgiveness policies shall be made for a student in the middle grades who takes any high school course for high school credit and earns a grade of “C,” “D,” or “F”. In such case, the district forgiveness policy must allow the replacement of the grade with a grade of “C” or higher earned subsequently in the same or comparable course. In all cases of grade forgiveness, only the new grade shall be used in the calculation of the student’s grade point average. Any course grade not replaced according to a district school board forgiveness policy shall be included in the calculation of the cumulative grade point average required for graduation.
(6) AWARD OF A STANDARD HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA.—
(a) A student who earns a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale and meets the requirements of this section or s. 1002.3105(5) shall be awarded a standard high school diploma in a form prescribed by the State Board of Education.
(b) An adult student in an adult general education program as provided under s. 1004.93 shall be awarded a standard high school diploma if the student meets the requirements of this section or s. 1002.3105(5), except that:
1. One elective credit may be substituted for the one-credit requirement in fine or performing arts, speech and debate, or practical arts.
2. The requirement that two of the science credits include a laboratory component may be waived by the district school board.
3. The one credit in physical education may be substituted with an elective credit.
(c) A student who earns the required 24 credits, or the required 18 credits under s. 1002.3105(5), but fails to pass the assessments required under s. 1008.22(3) or achieve a 2.0 GPA shall be awarded a certificate of completion in a form prescribed by the State Board of Education. However, a student who is otherwise entitled to a certificate of completion may elect to remain in high school either as a full-time student or a part-time student for up to 1 additional year and receive special instruction designed to remedy his or her identified deficiencies.
(7) UNIFORM TRANSFER OF HIGH SCHOOL CREDITS.—Beginning with the 2012-2013 school year, if a student transfers to a Florida public high school from out of country, out of state, a private school, or a home education program and the student’s transcript shows a credit in Algebra I, the student must pass the statewide, standardized Algebra I EOC assessment in order to earn a standard high school diploma unless the student earned a comparative score, passed a statewide assessment in Algebra I administered by the transferring entity, or passed the statewide mathematics assessment the transferring entity uses to satisfy the requirements of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, 20 U.S.C. s. 6301. If a student’s transcript shows a credit in high school reading or English Language Arts II or III, in order to earn a standard high school diploma, the student must take and pass the statewide, standardized grade 10 Reading assessment or, when implemented, the grade 10 ELA assessment, or earn a concordant score. If a transfer student’s transcript shows a final course grade and course credit in Algebra I, Geometry, Biology I, or United States History, the transferring course final grade and credit shall be honored without the student taking the requisite statewide, standardized EOC assessment and without the assessment results constituting 30 percent of the student’s final course grade.
(8) CAREER EDUCATION COURSES THAT SATISFY HIGH SCHOOL CREDIT REQUIREMENTS.—
(a) Participation in career education courses engages students in their high school education, increases academic achievement, enhances employability, and increases postsecondary success. By July 1, 2014, the department shall develop, for approval by the State Board of Education, multiple, additional career education courses or a series of courses that meet the requirements set forth in s. 1003.493(2), (4), and (5) and this subsection and allow students to earn credit in both the career education course and courses required for high school graduation under this section and s. 1003.4281.
1. The state board must determine if sufficient academic standards are covered to warrant the award of academic credit.
2. Career education courses must include workforce and digital literacy skills and the integration of required course content with practical applications and designated rigorous coursework that results in one or more industry certifications or clearly articulated credit or advanced standing in a 2-year or 4-year certificate or degree program, which may include high school junior and senior year work-related internships or apprenticeships. The department shall negotiate state licenses for material and testing for industry certifications. The instructional methodology used in these courses must be comprised of authentic projects, problems, and activities for contextually learning the academics.
(b) Each school district should take the initiative to work with local workforce boards, local business and industry leaders, and postsecondary institutions to establish partnerships for the purpose of creating career education courses or a series of courses that meet the requirements set forth in s. 1003.493(2), (4), and (5) that students can take to earn required high school course credits. Emphasis should be placed on online coursework and digital literacy. School districts must submit their recommended career education courses to the department for state board approval. School district-recommended career education courses must meet the same rigorous standards as department-developed career education courses in order to be approved by the state board. School districts participating in the development of rigorous career education courses will be able to better address local workforce needs and allow students the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and skills that are needed not only for academic advancement but also for employability purposes.
(c) Regional consortium service organizations established pursuant to s. 1001.451 shall work with school districts, local workforce boards, postsecondary institutions, and local business and industry leaders to create career education courses that meet the requirements set forth in s. 1003.493(2), (4), and (5) and this subsection that students can take to earn required high school course credits. The regional consortium shall submit course recommendations to the department, on behalf of the consortium member districts, for state board approval. A strong emphasis should be placed on online coursework, digital literacy, and workforce literacy as defined in s. 1004.02(26). For purposes of providing students the opportunity to earn industry certifications, consortiums must secure the necessary site licenses and testing contracts for use by member districts.
(9) COHORT TRANSITION TO NEW GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS.—The requirements of this section, in addition to applying to students entering grade 9 in the 2013-2014 school year and thereafter, shall also apply to students entering grade 9 before the 2013-2014 school year, except as otherwise provided in this subsection.
(a) A student entering grade 9 before the 2010-2011 school year must earn:
1. Four credits in English/ELA. A student must pass the statewide, standardized grade 10 Reading assessment, or earn a concordant score, in order to graduate with a standard high school diploma.
2. Four credits in mathematics, which must include Algebra I. A student must pass grade 10 FCAT Mathematics, or earn a concordant score, in order to graduate with a standard high school diploma. A student who takes Algebra I or Geometry after the 2010-2011 school year must take the statewide, standardized EOC assessment for the course but is not required to pass the assessment in order to earn course credit. A student’s performance on the Algebra I or Geometry EOC assessment is not required to constitute 30 percent of the student’s final course grade. A student who earns an industry certification for which there is a statewide college credit articulation agreement approved by the State Board of Education may substitute the certification for one mathematics credit. Substitution may occur for up to two mathematics credits, except for Algebra I.
3. Three credits in science, two of which must have a laboratory component. A student who takes Biology I after the 2010-2011 school year must take the statewide, standardized Biology I EOC assessment but is not required to pass the assessment in order to earn course credit. A student’s performance on the assessment is not required to constitute 30 percent of the student’s final course grade. A student who earns an industry certification for which there is a statewide college credit articulation agreement approved by the State Board of Education may substitute the certification for one science credit.
4. Three credits in social studies of which one credit in World History, one credit in United States History, one-half credit in United States Government, and one-half credit in economics are required. A student who takes United States History after the 2011-2012 school year must take the statewide, standardized United States History EOC assessment, but the student’s performance on the assessment is not required to constitute 30 percent of the student’s final course grade.
5. One credit in fine or performing arts, speech and debate, or practical arts as provided in paragraph (3)(e).
6. One credit in physical education as provided in paragraph (3)(f).
7. Eight credits in electives.
(b) A student entering grade 9 in the 2010-2011 school year must earn:
1. Four credits in English/ELA. A student must pass the statewide, standardized grade 10 Reading assessment, or earn a concordant score, in order to graduate with a standard high school diploma.
2. Four credits in mathematics, which must include Algebra I and Geometry. The statewide, standardized Algebra I EOC assessment constitutes 30 percent of the student’s final course grade. A student who takes Algebra I or Geometry after the 2010-2011 school year must take the statewide, standardized EOC assessment for the course but is not required to pass the assessment in order to earn course credit. A student’s performance on the Geometry EOC assessment is not required to constitute 30 percent of the student’s final course grade. A student who earns an industry certification for which there is a statewide college credit articulation agreement approved by the State Board of Education may substitute the certification for one mathematics credit. Substitution may occur for up to two mathematics credits, except for Algebra I and Geometry.
3. Three credits in science, two of which must have a laboratory component. A student who takes Biology I after the 2010-2011 school year must take the statewide, standardized Biology I EOC assessment but is not required to pass the assessment in order to earn course credit. A student’s performance on the assessment is not required to constitute 30 percent of the student’s final course grade. A student who earns an industry certification for which there is a statewide college credit articulation agreement approved by the State Board of Education may substitute the certification for one science credit, except for Biology I.
4. Three credits in social studies of which one credit in World History, one credit in United States History, one-half credit in United States Government, and one-half credit in economics are required. A student who takes United States History after the 2011-2012 school year must take the statewide, standardized United States History EOC assessment, but the student’s performance on the assessment is not required to constitute 30 percent of the student’s final course grade.
5. One credit in fine or performing arts, speech and debate, or practical arts as provided in paragraph (3)(e).
6. One credit in physical education as provided in paragraph (3)(f).
7. Eight credits in electives.
(c) A student entering grade 9 in the 2011-2012 school year must earn:
1. Four credits in English/ELA. A student must pass the statewide, standardized grade 10 Reading assessment, or earn a concordant score, in order to graduate with a standard high school diploma.
2. Four credits in mathematics, which must include Algebra I and Geometry. A student who takes Algebra I after the 2010-2011 school year must pass the statewide, standardized Algebra I EOC assessment, or earn a comparative score, in order to earn a standard high school diploma. A student who takes Algebra I or Geometry after the 2010-2011 school year must take the statewide, standardized EOC assessment but is not required to pass the Algebra I or Geometry EOC assessment in order to earn course credit. A student’s performance on the Algebra I or Geometry EOC assessment is not required to constitute 30 percent of the student’s final course grade. A student who earns an industry certification for which there is a statewide college credit articulation agreement approved by the State Board of Education may substitute the certification for one mathematics credit. Substitution may occur for up to two mathematics credits, except for Algebra I and Geometry.
3. Three credits in science, two of which must have a laboratory component. One of the science credits must be Biology I. A student who takes Biology I after the 2010-2011 school year must take the statewide, standardized Biology I EOC assessment but is not required to pass the assessment in order to earn course credit. A student’s performance on the assessment is not required to constitute 30 percent of the student’s final course grade. A student who earns an industry certification for which there is a statewide college credit articulation agreement approved by the State Board of Education may substitute the certification for one science credit, except for Biology I.
4. Three credits in social studies of which one credit in World History, one credit in United States History, one-half credit in United States Government, and one-half credit in economics are required. A student who takes United States History after the 2011-2012 school year must take the statewide, standardized United States History EOC assessment, but the student’s performance on the assessment is not required to constitute 30 percent of the student’s final course grade.
5. One credit in fine or performing arts, speech and debate, or practical arts as provided in paragraph (3)(e).
6. One credit in physical education as provided in paragraph (3)(f).
7. Eight credits in electives.
8. One online course as provided in subsection (4).
(d) A student entering grade 9 in the 2012-2013 school year must earn:
1. Four credits in English/ELA. A student must pass the statewide, standardized grade 10 Reading assessment, or earn a concordant score, in order to graduate with a standard high school diploma.
2. Four credits in mathematics, which must include Algebra I and Geometry. A student who takes Algebra I after the 2010-2011 school year must pass the statewide, standardized Algebra I EOC assessment, or earn a comparative score, in order to earn a standard high school diploma. A student who takes Geometry after the 2010-2011 school year must take the statewide, standardized Geometry EOC assessment. A student is not required to pass the statewide, standardized EOC assessment in Algebra I or Geometry in order to earn course credit. A student’s performance on the Algebra I or Geometry EOC assessment is not required to constitute 30 percent of the student’s final course grade. A student who earns an industry certification for which there is a statewide college credit articulation agreement approved by the State Board of Education may substitute the certification for one mathematics credit. Substitution may occur for up to two mathematics credits, except for Algebra I and Geometry.
3. Three credits in science, two of which must have a laboratory component. One of the science credits must be Biology I. A student who takes Biology I after the 2010-2011 school year must take the statewide, standardized Biology I EOC assessment but is not required to pass the assessment to earn course credit. A student’s performance on the assessment is not required to constitute 30 percent of the student’s final course grade. A student who earns an industry certification for which there is a statewide college credit articulation agreement approved by the State Board of Education may substitute the certification for one science credit, except for Biology I.
4. Three credits in social studies of which one credit in World History, one credit in United States History, one-half credit in United States Government, and one-half credit in economics are required. The statewide, standardized United States History EOC assessment constitutes 30 percent of the student’s final course grade.
5. One credit in fine or performing arts, speech and debate, or practical arts as provided in paragraph (3)(e).
6. One credit in physical education as provided in paragraph (3)(f).
7. Eight credits in electives.
8. One online course as provided in subsection (4).
(e) Policy adopted in rule by the district school board may require for any cohort of students that performance on a statewide, standardized EOC assessment constitute 30 percent of a student’s final course grade.
(f) This subsection is repealed July 1, 2020.
(10) STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES.—Beginning with students entering grade 9 in the 2014-2015 school year, this subsection applies to a student with a disability.
(a) A parent of the student with a disability shall, in collaboration with the individual education plan (IEP) team during the transition planning process pursuant to s. 1003.5716, declare an intent for the student to graduate from high school with either a standard high school diploma or a certificate of completion. A student with a disability who does not satisfy the standard high school diploma requirements pursuant to this section shall be awarded a certificate of completion.
(b) The following options, in addition to the other options specified in this section, may be used to satisfy the standard high school diploma requirements, as specified in the student’s individual education plan:
1. For a student with a disability for whom the IEP team has determined that the Florida Alternate Assessment is the most appropriate measure of the student’s skills:
a. A combination of course substitutions, assessments, industry certifications, other acceleration options, or occupational completion points appropriate to the student’s unique skills and abilities that meet the criteria established by State Board of Education rule.
b. A portfolio of quantifiable evidence that documents a student’s mastery of academic standards through rigorous metrics established by State Board of Education rule. A portfolio may include, but is not limited to, documentation of work experience, internships, community service, and postsecondary credit.
2. For a student with a disability for whom the IEP team has determined that mastery of academic and employment competencies is the most appropriate way for a student to demonstrate his or her skills:
a. Documented completion of the minimum high school graduation requirements, including the number of course credits prescribed by rules of the State Board of Education.
b. Documented achievement of all annual goals and short-term objectives for academic and employment competencies, industry certifications, and occupational completion points specified in the student’s transition plan. The documentation must be verified by the IEP team.
c. Documented successful employment for the number of hours per week specified in the student’s transition plan, for the equivalent of 1 semester, and payment of a minimum wage in compliance with the requirements of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act.
d. Documented mastery of the academic and employment competencies, industry certifications, and occupational completion points specified in the student’s transition plan. The documentation must be verified by the IEP team, the employer, and the teacher. The transition plan must be developed and signed by the student, parent, teacher, and employer before placement in employment and must identify the following:
(I) The expected academic and employment competencies, industry certifications, and occupational completion points;
(II) The criteria for determining and certifying mastery of the competencies;
(III) The work schedule and the minimum number of hours to be worked per week; and
(IV) A description of the supervision to be provided by the school district.
3. Any change to the high school graduation option specified in the student’s IEP must be approved by the parent and is subject to verification for appropriateness by an independent reviewer selected by the parent as provided in s. 1003.572.
(c) A student with a disability who meets the standard high school diploma requirements in this section may defer the receipt of a standard high school diploma if the student:
1. Has an individual education plan that prescribes special education, transition planning, transition services, or related services through age 21; and
2. Is enrolled in accelerated college credit instruction pursuant to s. 1007.27, industry certification courses that lead to college credit, a collegiate high school program, courses necessary to satisfy the Scholar designation requirements, or a structured work-study, internship, or preapprenticeship program.
(d) A student with a disability who receives a certificate of completion and has an individual education plan that prescribes special education, transition planning, transition services, or related services through 21 years of age may continue to receive the specified instruction and services.
(e) Any waiver of the statewide, standardized assessment requirements by the individual education plan team, pursuant to s. 1008.22(3)(c), must be approved by the parent and is subject to verification for appropriateness by an independent reviewer selected by the parent as provided for in s. 1003.572.
1The State Board of Education shall adopt rules under ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement this paragraph, including rules that establish the minimum requirements for students described in this paragraph to earn a standard high school diploma. The State Board of Education shall adopt emergency rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54.
(11) RULES.—The State Board of Education shall adopt rules to implement this section.
History.—s. 17, ch. 2013-27; s. 40, ch. 2014-39; ss. 33, 34, ch. 2014-184; s. 108, ch. 2015-2; s. 4, ch. 2015-6.
1Note.—Similar language to what is currently subsection (10) appears in s. 5, C.S. for C.S. for S.B. 1512, 2014 Regular Session, which did not pass; in that text, the flush left language appeared after paragraph (b) of the subsection. The language was inserted after paragraph (e) in C.S. for C.S. for S.B. 850, which became ch. 2014-184.
