(1) The Strengthening Alignment between Industry and Learning (SAIL) to 60 Initiative is created to increase to 60 percent the percentage of working-age adults in this state with a high-value postsecondary certificate, degree, or training experience by 2030.
(2) The State Board of Education and the Board of Governors shall work collaboratively to, at a minimum:
(a) Increase the awareness and use of:
1. The student advising system established under s. 1006.73.
2. Summer bridge programs at state universities and Florida College System institutions that help students transition to postsecondary education.
(b) Support and publicize the efforts of the Florida College Access Network in developing public and private partnerships to:
1. Increase the number of high school seniors who submit at least one completed postsecondary education application.
2. Increase the number of high school seniors who submit a completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid to receive financial aid to help pay for their postsecondary education expenses.
3. Recognize and celebrate high school seniors for their postsecondary education and career plans and encourage early preparation for college in accordance with s. 1001.43(14).
4. Conduct regional meetings with postsecondary educational institutions, business leaders, and community organizations to solve community-specific issues related to attainment of postsecondary certificates, associate degrees, and baccalaureate degrees.
(c) Facilitate a reverse transfer agreement between the State Board of Education and the Board of Governors to award postsecondary education credentials to students who have earned them.
(d) Facilitate the establishment of career pathways agreements between career centers and Florida College System institutions pursuant to s. 1007.233.
(e) Develop a systematic, cross-sector approach to awarding credit for prior learning.
(3) There is created within the SAIL to 60 Initiative the Strategic Efforts to Achieve Self-Sufficiency (SEAS) which consists of:
(a) The consumer-first workforce system under s. 14.36, which provides the public with more effective access to available federal, state, and local services and a systemwide, global view of workforce related program data across various programs through actionable qualitative and quantitative information.
(b) The Open Door Grant Program under s. 1009.895, which provides grants to school districts’ postsecondary technical centers and Florida College System institutions to cover up to two-thirds of the cost of short-term high-demand programs for eligible students upon successful completion and award of a credential of value.
(c) The Money-back Guarantee Program under s. 1011.803, which requires each school district and Florida College System institution to refund the cost of tuition to students who are not able to find a job within 6 months of successful completion of select workforce related programs.
History.—s. 17, ch. 2019-119; s. 3, ch. 2021-85; s. 25, ch. 2021-164; s. 26, ch. 2023-81.
