Florida Senate - 2015 CS for SB 1252
By the Committee on Higher Education; and Senator Stargel
589-02768-15 20151252c1
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to higher education; amending s.
3 1000.03, F.S.; revising the mission of the Florida K
4 20 education system; amending s. 1000.21, F.S.;
5 revising definitions to conform to the renaming of
6 “Florida College System institution” to “Florida
7 Community College System institution”; requiring a
8 Florida Community College System institution to change
9 its name by a specified date to maintain eligibility
10 for state funding; amending s. 1001.02, F.S.; revising
11 the duties of the State Board of Education with
12 respect to the supervision of the divisions of the
13 Department of Education; amending s. 1001.03, F.S.;
14 revising requirements for the state board’s
15 articulation accountability measures; authorizing the
16 state board to take certain action in the event of
17 noncompliance of a district school board or a Florida
18 Community College System institution board of
19 trustees; defining the term “college”; specifying
20 authorized and prohibited uses of the term; conforming
21 provisions to changes made by the act; amending s.
22 1001.42, F.S.; prohibiting a technical center
23 governing board from approving specified courses and
24 programs; amending s. 1001.44, F.S.; prescribing the
25 mission and responsibilities of a career center
26 operated by a district school board; specifying
27 certain restrictions applicable to a career center;
28 amending s. 1001.60, F.S.; redesignating the “Florida
29 College System” as the “Florida Community College
30 System”; revising provisions relating to the name
31 change of an institution; amending s. 1001.705, F.S.;
32 prescribing the mission and responsibilities of the
33 State University System; amending s. 1001.7065, F.S.;
34 requiring a state research university to enter into
35 and maintain a formal agreement with a specified
36 organization to offer college-sponsored merit
37 scholarship awards as a condition of designation as a
38 preeminent state research university; specifying that
39 continuation of a state research university’s
40 institute for online learning is contingent on the
41 university entering into and maintaining such an
42 agreement; amending s. 1002.34, F.S.; prescribing the
43 mission and responsibilities of a charter technical
44 career center; specifying certain restrictions
45 applicable to a charter technical career center;
46 amending s. 1004.015, F.S.; revising the composition
47 of the Higher Education Coordinating Council; amending
48 s. 1004.65, F.S.; providing that Florida Community
49 College System institutions may offer upper level
50 instruction and award baccalaureate degrees, as
51 authorized; conforming provisions to changes made by
52 the act; amending s. 1004.92, F.S.; revising
53 requirements for program standards for career, adult,
54 and community education programs; requiring the state
55 board to adopt rules; amending s. 1007.01, F.S.;
56 revising required components for articulation policies
57 established and adopted by the state board and the
58 Board of Governors; amending s. 1007.23, F.S.;
59 revising requirements for the statewide articulation
60 agreement; amending s. 1007.273, F.S.; revising
61 requirements for a contract between a district school
62 board and a Florida Community College System
63 institution for the administration of collegiate high
64 school programs; requiring school districts and
65 Florida Community College System institutions to
66 annually report specified information regarding
67 collegiate high school programs to the Department of
68 Education; amending s. 1007.33, F.S.; revising
69 provisions regarding baccalaureate degree programs
70 that may be offered by a Florida Community College
71 System institution; prohibiting a Florida Community
72 College System institution from offering a Bachelor of
73 Arts degree program; removing obsolete language;
74 revising provisions regarding the approval process for
75 baccalaureate degree programs; restricting total upper
76 level, undergraduate full-time equivalent enrollment
77 at a Florida Community College System institution;
78 amending s. 1008.38, F.S.; revising minimum
79 requirements for an articulation accountability
80 process; requiring the state board and the Board of
81 Governors to submit a report to the Governor and the
82 Legislature by a specified date; prescribing report
83 requirements; providing a directive to the Division of
84 Law Revision and Information; providing an effective
85 date.
86
87 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
88
89 Section 1. Subsection (4) of section 1000.03, Florida
90 Statutes, is amended to read:
91 1000.03 Function, mission, and goals of the Florida K-20
92 education system.—
93 (4) The mission of Florida’s K-20 education system is to
94 allow its students to increase their proficiency by allowing
95 them the opportunity to expand their knowledge and skills
96 through rigorous and relevant learning opportunities, in
97 accordance with the mission of the applicable center or system
98 statement and accountability requirements of s. 1008.31, and
99 avoid wasteful duplication of programs offered by state
100 universities; Florida Community College System institutions; and
101 career centers and charter technical career centers that are
102 operated by district school boards.
103 Section 2. Subsection (3) of section 1000.21, Florida
104 Statutes, is amended to read:
105 1000.21 Systemwide definitions.—As used in the Florida K-20
106 Education Code:
107 (3) “Florida Community College System institution,” except
108 as otherwise specifically provided, includes all of the
109 following public postsecondary educational institutions in the
110 Florida Community College System and any branch campuses,
111 centers, or other affiliates of the institution:
112 (a) Brevard Eastern Florida State College, which serves
113 Brevard County.
114 (b) Broward College, which serves Broward County.
115 (c) College of Central Florida, which serves Citrus, Levy,
116 and Marion Counties.
117 (d) Chipola College, which serves Calhoun, Holmes, Jackson,
118 Liberty, and Washington Counties.
119 (e) Daytona State College, which serves Flagler and Volusia
120 Counties.
121 (f) Florida Southwestern State College, which serves
122 Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, and Lee Counties.
123 (g) Florida State College at Jacksonville College, which
124 serves Duval and Nassau Counties.
125 (h) Florida Keys Community College, which serves Monroe
126 County.
127 (i) Gulf Coast State College, which serves Bay, Franklin,
128 and Gulf Counties.
129 (j) Hillsborough Community College, which serves
130 Hillsborough County.
131 (k) Indian River State College, which serves Indian River,
132 Martin, Okeechobee, and St. Lucie Counties.
133 (l) Lake City Florida Gateway College, which serves Baker,
134 Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, and Union Counties.
135 (m) Lake-Sumter State College, which serves Lake and Sumter
136 Counties.
137 (n) Manatee-Sarasota State College of Florida, Manatee
138 Sarasota, which serves Manatee and Sarasota Counties.
139 (o) Miami Dade College, which serves Miami-Dade County.
140 (p) North Florida Community College, which serves Hamilton,
141 Jefferson, Lafayette, Madison, Suwannee, and Taylor Counties.
142 (q) Northwest Florida State College, which serves Okaloosa
143 and Walton Counties.
144 (r) Palm Beach State College, which serves Palm Beach
145 County.
146 (s) Pasco-Hernando State College, which serves Hernando and
147 Pasco Counties.
148 (t) Pensacola State College, which serves Escambia and
149 Santa Rosa Counties.
150 (u) Polk State College, which serves Polk County.
151 (v) St. Johns River State College, which serves Clay,
152 Putnam, and St. Johns Counties.
153 (w) St. Petersburg College, which serves Pinellas County.
154 (x) Santa Fe College, which serves Alachua and Bradford
155 Counties.
156 (y) Seminole State College of Florida, which serves
157 Seminole County.
158 (z) South Florida State College, which serves DeSoto,
159 Hardee, and Highlands Counties.
160 (aa) Tallahassee Community College, which serves Gadsden,
161 Leon, and Wakulla Counties.
162 (bb) Valencia College, which serves Orange and Osceola
163 Counties.
164
165 By December 1, 2015, a Florida Community College System
166 institution shall change its name to accurately reflect the
167 institution’s regional service area in order to be eligible to
168 receive state funds. The institution may not, in its name,
169 include the term “state” or indicate a statewide presence unless
170 expressly authorized by law.
171 Section 3. Paragraph (c) of subsection (2) of section
172 1001.02, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
173 1001.02 General powers of State Board of Education.—
174 (2) The State Board of Education has the following duties:
175 (c) To exercise general supervision over the divisions of
176 the Department of Education as necessary to ensure that programs
177 offered by Florida Community College System institutions, and
178 career centers and charter technical career centers that are
179 operated by district school boards, are consistent with the
180 mission of the applicable system or center to avoid wasteful
181 duplication of programs; to ensure coordination of educational
182 plans and programs and resolve controversies and to minimize
183 problems of articulation and student transfers;, to ensure that
184 students moving from one level of education to the next have
185 acquired competencies necessary for satisfactory performance at
186 that level;, and to ensure maximum utilization of facilities.
187 Section 4. Subsections (7), (8), (12), and (15) of section
188 1001.03, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
189 1001.03 Specific powers of State Board of Education.—
190 (7) ARTICULATION ACCOUNTABILITY.—The State Board of
191 Education shall develop articulation accountability measures
192 that assess the status of systemwide articulation processes and
193 preserve Florida’s “2+2” system of articulation, in conjunction
194 with the Board of Governors regarding the State University
195 System, and shall establish an articulation accountability
196 process in accordance with the provisions of chapter 1008, in
197 conjunction with the Board of Governors regarding the State
198 University System.
199 (8) SYSTEMWIDE ENFORCEMENT.—
200 (a) The State Board of Education shall enforce compliance
201 with law and state board rule by all school districts and public
202 postsecondary educational institutions, except for the State
203 University System, in accordance with this subsection and the
204 provisions of s. 1008.32.
205 (b) If the State Board of Education determines that a
206 district school board or Florida Community College System
207 institution board of trustees is unwilling or unable to comply
208 with law or state board rule within the specified time, the
209 state board is authorized to initiate any of the following
210 actions:
211 1. Report to the Legislature that the school district or
212 Florida Community College System institution is unwilling or
213 unable to comply with law or state board rule and recommend
214 action to be taken by the Legislature.
215 2. Withhold the transfer of state funds, discretionary
216 grant funds, discretionary lottery funds, or any other funds
217 specified as eligible for this purpose by the Legislature until
218 the school district or Florida Community College System
219 institution complies with the law or state board rule.
220 3. Declare the school district or Florida Community College
221 System institution ineligible for competitive grants.
222 4. Require monthly or periodic reporting on the situation
223 related to noncompliance until it is remedied.
224 (12) COMMON POSTSECONDARY DEFINITIONS.—
225 (a) The term “college” means any Florida Community College
226 System institution offering a substantially complete program
227 that confers at least an associate degree requiring at least 15
228 semester hours or the equivalent of general education, or that
229 furnishes or offers to furnish instruction leading toward, or
230 prerequisite to, college credit. The use of the designation
231 “college” in combination with any series of letters, numbers, or
232 words is restricted in this state to Florida Community College
233 System institutions and colleges as defined in s. 1005.03. An
234 entity may not use the designation “college” in its name without
235 prior approval by the Legislature or the Commission for
236 Independent Education pursuant to s. 1005.03, as applicable.
237 (b) The State Board of Education shall adopt, by rule,
238 common definitions for associate in science degrees and for
239 certificates.
240 (15) FLORIDA COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM INSTITUTION
241 BACCALAUREATE DEGREE PROGRAMS.—The State Board of Education
242 shall provide for the review and approval of proposals by
243 Florida Community College System institutions to offer
244 baccalaureate degree programs pursuant to s. 1007.33. A Florida
245 Community College System institution, as defined in s. 1000.21,
246 that is approved to offer baccalaureate degrees pursuant to s.
247 1007.33 remains under the authority of the State Board of
248 Education and the Florida Community College System institution’s
249 board of trustees. The State Board of Education may not approve
250 Florida College System institution baccalaureate degree program
251 proposals from March 31, 2014, through May 31, 2015.
252 Section 5. Subsection (26) of section 1001.42, Florida
253 Statutes, is amended to read:
254 1001.42 Powers and duties of district school board.—The
255 district school board, acting as a board, shall exercise all
256 powers and perform all duties listed below:
257 (26) TECHNICAL CENTER GOVERNING BOARD.—May appoint a
258 governing board for a school district technical center or a
259 system of technical centers for the purpose of aligning the
260 educational programs of the technical center with the needs of
261 local businesses and responding quickly to the needs of local
262 businesses for employees holding industry certifications. A
263 technical center governing board shall be comprised of seven
264 members, three of whom must be members of the district school
265 board or their designees and four of whom must be local business
266 leaders. The district school board shall delegate to the
267 technical center governing board decisions regarding entrance
268 requirements for students, curriculum, program development,
269 budget and funding allocations, and the development with local
270 businesses of partnership agreements and appropriate industry
271 certifications in order to meet local and regional economic
272 needs. A technical center governing board may approve only
273 courses and programs that contain industry certifications. A
274 course may be continued if at least 25 percent of the students
275 enrolled in the course attain an industry certification. If
276 fewer than 25 percent of the students enrolled in a course
277 attain an industry certification, the course must be
278 discontinued the following year. However, notwithstanding the
279 authority to approve courses and programs under this subsection,
280 a technical center governing board may not approve college
281 credit courses or college credit certificate, associate degree,
282 or baccalaureate degree programs.
283 Section 6. Section 1001.44, Florida Statutes is amended to
284 read:
285 1001.44 Career centers; governance, mission, and
286 responsibilities.—
287 (1) DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MAY ESTABLISH OR ACQUIRE CAREER
288 CENTERS.—Any district school board, after first obtaining the
289 approval of the Department of Education, may, as a part of the
290 district school system, organize, establish and operate a career
291 center, or acquire and operate a career center previously
292 established.
293 (a) The primary mission of a career center that is operated
294 by a district school board is to promote advances and
295 innovations in workforce preparation and economic development. A
296 career center may provide a learning environment that serves the
297 needs of a specific population group or group of occupations,
298 thus promoting diversity and choices within the public technical
299 education community in this state.
300 (b) A career center that is operated by a district school
301 board may not:
302 1. Offer college credit courses or college credit
303 certificate, associate degree, or baccalaureate degree programs.
304 2. In its name, include the term “college” or indicate that
305 the center has the authority to offer college credit courses or
306 college credit certificate, associate degree, or baccalaureate
307 degree programs.
308 (2) DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARDS OF CONTIGUOUS DISTRICTS MAY
309 ESTABLISH OR ACQUIRE CAREER CENTERS.—The district school boards
310 of any two or more contiguous districts may, upon first
311 obtaining the approval of the department, enter into an
312 agreement to organize, establish and operate, or acquire and
313 operate, a career center under this section.
314 (3) CAREER CENTER PART OF DISTRICT SCHOOL SYSTEM DIRECTED
315 BY A DIRECTOR.—
316 (a) A career center established or acquired under
317 provisions of law and minimum standards prescribed by the
318 commissioner shall comprise a part of the district school system
319 and shall mean an educational institution offering terminal
320 courses of a technical nature which are not for college credit,
321 and courses for out-of-school youth and adults; shall be subject
322 to all applicable provisions of this code; shall be under the
323 control of the district school board of the school district in
324 which it is located; and shall be directed by a director
325 responsible through the district school superintendent to the
326 district school board of the school district in which the center
327 is located.
328 (b) Each career center shall maintain an academic
329 transcript for each student enrolled in the center. Such
330 transcript shall delineate each course completed by the student.
331 Courses shall be delineated by the course prefix and title
332 assigned pursuant to s. 1007.24. The center shall make a copy of
333 a student’s transcript available to any student who requests it.
334 Section 7. Section 1001.60, Florida Statutes, is amended to
335 read:
336 1001.60 Florida Community College System.—
337 (1) PURPOSES.—In order to maximize open access for
338 students, respond to community needs for postsecondary academic
339 education and career degree education, and provide associate and
340 baccalaureate degrees that will best meet the state’s employment
341 needs, the Legislature establishes a system of governance for
342 the Florida Community College System.
343 (2) FLORIDA COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM.—There shall be a
344 single Florida Community College System comprised of the Florida
345 Community College System institutions identified in s.
346 1000.21(3). A Florida Community College System institution may
347 not offer graduate degree programs.
348 (a) The programs and services offered by Florida Community
349 College System institutions in providing associate and
350 baccalaureate degrees shall be delivered in a cost-effective
351 manner that demonstrates substantial savings to the student and
352 to the state over the cost of providing the degree at a state
353 university.
354 (b)1. With the approval of its district board of trustees,
355 a Florida Community College System institution that is
356 authorized by the State Board of Education to grant
357 baccalaureate degree programs pursuant to s. 1007.33 and has
358 been accredited as a baccalaureate-degree-granting institution
359 by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of
360 Colleges and Schools may, after prior approval by the
361 Legislature by law, may change the institution’s name to
362 accurately reflect the institution’s regional service area set
363 forth in s. 1000.21(3) and may use the designation “college” or
364 “state college” if it has been authorized to grant baccalaureate
365 degrees pursuant to s. 1007.33 and has been accredited as a
366 baccalaureate-degree-granting institution by the Commission on
367 Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
368 However, the institution may not, in its name, include the term
369 “state” or indicate a statewide presence unless expressly
370 authorized by law.
371 2. With the approval of its district board of trustees, a
372 Florida Community College System institution that does not meet
373 the criteria in subparagraph 1. may request approval from the
374 State Board of Education to change the institution’s name set
375 forth in s. 1000.21(3) and use the designation “college.” The
376 State Board of Education may approve the request if the Florida
377 Community College System institution enters into an agreement
378 with the State Board of Education to do the following:
379 a. Maintain as its primary mission responsibility for
380 responding to community needs for postsecondary academic
381 education and career degree education as prescribed in s.
382 1004.65(5).
383 b. Maintain an open-door admissions policy for associate
384 level degree programs and workforce education programs.
385 c. Continue to provide outreach to underserved populations.
386 d. Continue to provide remedial education.
387 e. Comply with all provisions of the statewide articulation
388 agreement that relate to 2-year and 4-year public degree
389 granting institutions as adopted by the State Board of Education
390 pursuant to s. 1007.23.
391 (c) A district board of trustees that approves a change to
392 the name of an institution under paragraph (b) must seek
393 statutory codification of such name change in s. 1000.21(3)
394 during the next regular legislative session.
395 (d) A Florida Community College System institution may not
396 use the designation “university.”
397 (3) LOCAL BOARDS OF TRUSTEES.—Each institution within the
398 Florida Community College System shall be governed by a local
399 board of trustees as provided in s. 1001.64. The membership of
400 each local board of trustees shall be as provided in s. 1001.61.
401 Section 8. Subsection (4) is added to section 1001.705,
402 Florida Statutes, to read:
403 1001.705 Responsibility for the State University System
404 under s. 7, Art. IX of the State Constitution.—
405 (4) MISSION AND RESPONSIBILITIES.—The mission of the state
406 university system is to promote excellence through teaching
407 students, advancing research, and providing public service for
408 the benefit of Florida’s citizens and their communities and
409 economies. A state university may provide students undergraduate
410 and graduate level instruction leading to baccalaureate,
411 masters, doctoral, or professional degrees or certificates in
412 accordance with the requirements of subsection (2).
413 Section 9. Subsections (3) and (4) of section 1001.7065,
414 Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
415 1001.7065 Preeminent state research universities program.—
416 (3) PREEMINENT STATE RESEARCH UNIVERSITY DESIGNATION.—The
417 Board of Governors shall designate each state research
418 university that meets at least 11 of the 12 academic and
419 research excellence standards identified in subsection (2) and
420 that enters into and maintains a formal agreement with the
421 National Merit Scholarship Corporation to offer college
422 sponsored merit scholarship awards a preeminent state research
423 university.
424 (4) PREEMINENT STATE RESEARCH UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE FOR
425 ONLINE LEARNING.—A state research university that, as of July 1,
426 2013, met meets all 12 of the academic and research excellence
427 standards identified in subsection (2), as verified by the Board
428 of Governors, shall establish an institute for online learning.
429 Continuation of the institute for online learning is contingent
430 upon a state research university entering into and maintaining a
431 formal agreement with the National Merit Scholarship Corporation
432 to offer college-sponsored merit scholarship awards. The
433 institute shall establish a robust offering of high-quality,
434 fully online baccalaureate degree programs at an affordable cost
435 in accordance with this subsection.
436 (a) By August 1, 2013, the Board of Governors shall convene
437 an advisory board to support the development of high-quality,
438 fully online baccalaureate degree programs at the university.
439 (b) The advisory board shall:
440 1. Offer expert advice, as requested by the university, in
441 the development and implementation of a business plan to expand
442 the offering of high-quality, fully online baccalaureate degree
443 programs.
444 2. Advise the Board of Governors on the release of funding
445 to the university upon approval by the Board of Governors of the
446 plan developed by the university.
447 3. Monitor, evaluate, and report on the implementation of
448 the plan to the Board of Governors, the Governor, the President
449 of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
450 (c) The advisory board shall be composed of the following
451 five members:
452 1. The chair of the Board of Governors or the chair’s
453 permanent designee.
454 2. A member with expertise in online learning, appointed by
455 the Board of Governors.
456 3. A member with expertise in global marketing, appointed
457 by the Governor.
458 4. A member with expertise in cloud virtualization,
459 appointed by the President of the Senate.
460 5. A member with expertise in disruptive innovation,
461 appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
462 (d) The president of the university shall be consulted on
463 the advisory board member appointments.
464 (e) A majority of the advisory board shall constitute a
465 quorum, elect the chair, and appoint an executive director.
466 (f) By September 1, 2013, the university shall submit to
467 the advisory board a comprehensive plan to expand high-quality,
468 fully online baccalaureate degree program offerings. The plan
469 shall include:
470 1. Existing on-campus general education courses and
471 baccalaureate degree programs that will be offered online.
472 2. New courses that will be developed and offered online.
473 3. Support services that will be offered to students
474 enrolled in online baccalaureate degree programs.
475 4. A tuition and fee structure that meets the requirements
476 in paragraph (k) for online courses, baccalaureate degree
477 programs, and student support services.
478 5. A timeline for offering, marketing, and enrolling
479 students in the online baccalaureate degree programs.
480 6. A budget for developing and marketing the online
481 baccalaureate degree programs.
482 7. Detailed strategies for ensuring the success of students
483 and the sustainability of the online baccalaureate degree
484 programs.
485
486 Upon recommendation of the plan by the advisory board and
487 approval by the Board of Governors, the Board of Governors shall
488 award the university $10 million in nonrecurring funds and $5
489 million in recurring funds for fiscal year 2013-2014 and $5
490 million annually thereafter, subject to appropriation in the
491 General Appropriations Act.
492 (g) Beginning in January 2014, the university shall offer
493 high-quality, fully online baccalaureate degree programs that:
494 1. Accept full-time, first-time-in-college students.
495 2. Have the same rigorous admissions criteria as equivalent
496 on-campus degree programs.
497 3. Offer curriculum of equivalent rigor to on-campus degree
498 programs.
499 4. Offer rolling enrollment or multiple opportunities for
500 enrollment throughout the year.
501 5. Do not require any on-campus courses. However, for
502 courses or programs that require clinical training or
503 laboratories that cannot be delivered online, the university
504 shall offer convenient locational options to the student, which
505 may include, but are not limited to, the option to complete such
506 requirements at a summer-in-residence on the university campus.
507 The university may provide a network of sites at convenient
508 locations and contract with commercial testing centers or
509 identify other secure testing services for the purpose of
510 proctoring assessments or testing.
511 6. Apply the university’s existing policy for accepting
512 credits for both freshman applicants and transfer applicants.
513 (h) The university may offer a fully online Master’s in
514 Business Administration degree program and other master’s degree
515 programs.
516 (i) The university may develop and offer degree programs
517 and courses that are competency based as appropriate for the
518 quality and success of the program.
519 (j) The university shall periodically expand its offering
520 of online baccalaureate degree programs to meet student and
521 market demands.
522 (k) The university shall establish a tuition structure for
523 its online institute in accordance with this paragraph,
524 notwithstanding any other provision of law.
525 1. For students classified as residents for tuition
526 purposes, tuition for an online baccalaureate degree program
527 shall be set at no more than 75 percent of the tuition rate as
528 specified in the General Appropriations Act pursuant to s.
529 1009.24(4) and 75 percent of the tuition differential pursuant
530 to s. 1009.24(16). No distance learning fee, fee for campus
531 facilities, or fee for on-campus services may be assessed,
532 except that online students shall pay the university’s
533 technology fee, financial aid fee, and Capital Improvement Trust
534 Fund fee. The revenues generated from the Capital Improvement
535 Trust Fund fee shall be dedicated to the university’s institute
536 for online learning.
537 2. For students classified as nonresidents for tuition
538 purposes, tuition may be set at market rates in accordance with
539 the business plan.
540 3. Tuition for an online degree program shall include all
541 costs associated with instruction, materials, and enrollment,
542 excluding costs associated with the provision of textbooks
543 pursuant to s. 1004.085 and physical laboratory supplies.
544 4. Subject to the limitations in subparagraph 1., tuition
545 may be differentiated by degree program as appropriate to the
546 instructional and other costs of the program in accordance with
547 the business plan. Pricing must incorporate innovative
548 approaches that incentivize persistence and completion,
549 including, but not limited to, a fee for assessment, a bundled
550 or all-inclusive rate, and sliding scale features.
551 5. The university must accept advance payment contracts and
552 student financial aid.
553 6. Fifty percent of the net revenues generated from the
554 online institute of the university shall be used to enhance and
555 enrich the online institute offerings, and 50 percent of the net
556 revenues generated from the online institute shall be used to
557 enhance and enrich the university’s campus state-of-the-art
558 research programs and facilities.
559 7. The institute may charge additional local user fees
560 pursuant to s. 1009.24(14) upon the approval of the Board of
561 Governors.
562 8. The institute shall submit a proposal to the president
563 of the university authorizing additional user fees for the
564 provision of voluntary student participation in activities and
565 additional student services.
566 Section 10. Subsection (1) of section 1002.34, Florida
567 Statutes, is amended to read:
568 1002.34 Charter technical career centers; governance,
569 mission, and responsibilities.—
570 (1) AUTHORIZATION AND MISSION.—
571 (a) The primary mission of a charter technical career
572 center is to promote The Legislature finds that the
573 establishment of charter technical career centers can assist in
574 promoting advances and innovations in workforce preparation and
575 economic development. A charter technical career center may
576 provide a learning environment that better serves the needs of a
577 specific population group or a group of occupations, thus
578 promoting diversity and choices within the public education and
579 public postsecondary technical education community in this
580 state. Therefore, the creation of such centers is authorized as
581 part of the state’s program of public education. A charter
582 technical career center may be formed by creating a new school
583 or converting an existing school district or Florida Community
584 College System institution program to charter technical status.
585 (b) A charter technical career center that is operated by a
586 district school board may not:
587 1. Offer college credit courses or college credit
588 certificate, associate degree, or baccalaureate degree programs.
589 2. Include in its name the term “college” or indicate that
590 the center has the authority to offer college credit courses or
591 college credit certificate, associate degree, or baccalaureate
592 degree programs.
593 Section 11. Subsection (2) of section 1004.015, Florida
594 Statutes, is amended to read:
595 1004.015 Higher Education Coordinating Council.—
596 (2) Members of the council shall include:
597 (a) One member of the Board of Governors, appointed by the
598 chair of the Board of Governors.
599 (b) The Chancellor of the State University System.
600 (c) The Chancellor of the Florida Community College System.
601 (d) The Chancellor of Career and Adult Education.
602 (e)(d) One member of the State Board of Education,
603 appointed by the chair of the State Board of Education.
604 (f)(e) The Executive Director of the Florida Association of
605 Postsecondary Schools and Colleges.
606 (g)(f) The president of the Independent Colleges and
607 Universities of Florida.
608 (h)(g) The president of Workforce Florida, Inc., or his or
609 her designee.
610 (i)(h) The president of Enterprise Florida, Inc., or a
611 designated member of the Stakeholders Council appointed by the
612 president.
613 (j)(i) Three representatives of the business community, one
614 appointed by the President of the Senate, one appointed by the
615 Speaker of the House of Representatives, and one appointed by
616 the Governor, who are committed to developing and enhancing
617 world class workforce infrastructure necessary for Florida’s
618 citizens to compete and prosper in the ever-changing economy of
619 the 21st century.
620 Section 12. Section 1004.65, Florida Statutes, is amended
621 to read:
622 1004.65 Florida Community College System institutions;
623 governance, mission, and responsibilities.—
624 (1) Each Florida Community College System institution shall
625 be governed by a district board of trustees under statutory
626 authority and rules of the State Board of Education.
627 (2) Each Florida Community College System institution
628 district shall:
629 (a) Consist of the county or counties served by the Florida
630 Community College System institution pursuant to s. 1000.21(3).
631 (b) Be an independent, separate, legal entity created for
632 the operation of a Florida Community College System institution.
633 (3) Florida Community College System institutions are
634 locally based and governed entities with statutory and funding
635 ties to state government. As such, the mission for Florida
636 Community College System institutions reflects a commitment to
637 be responsive to local educational needs and challenges. In
638 achieving this mission, Florida Community College System
639 institutions strive to maintain sufficient local authority and
640 flexibility while preserving appropriate legal accountability to
641 the state.
642 (4) As comprehensive institutions, Florida Community
643 College System institutions shall provide high-quality,
644 affordable education and training opportunities, shall foster a
645 climate of excellence, and shall provide opportunities to all
646 while combining high standards with an open-door admission
647 policy for lower-division programs. Florida Community College
648 System institutions shall, as open-access institutions, serve
649 all who can benefit, without regard to age, race, gender, creed,
650 or ethnic or economic background, while emphasizing the
651 achievement of social and educational equity so that all can be
652 prepared for full participation in society.
653 (5) The primary mission and responsibility of Florida
654 Community College System institutions is responding to community
655 needs for postsecondary academic education and career degree
656 education. This mission and responsibility includes being
657 responsible for:
658 (a) Providing lower level undergraduate instruction and
659 awarding associate degrees.
660 (b) Preparing students directly for careers requiring less
661 than baccalaureate degrees. This may include preparing for job
662 entry, supplementing of skills and knowledge, and responding to
663 needs in new areas of technology. Career education in a Florida
664 Community College System institution shall consist of career
665 certificates, credit courses leading to associate in science
666 degrees and associate in applied science degrees, and other
667 programs in fields requiring substantial academic work,
668 background, or qualifications. A Florida Community College
669 System institution may offer career education programs in fields
670 having lesser academic or technical requirements.
671 (c) Providing student development services, including
672 assessment, student tracking, support for disabled students,
673 advisement, counseling, financial aid, career development, and
674 remedial and tutorial services, to ensure student success.
675 (d) Promoting economic development for the state within
676 each Florida Community College System institution district
677 through the provision of special programs, including, but not
678 limited to, the:
679 1. Enterprise Florida-related programs.
680 2. Technology transfer centers.
681 3. Economic development centers.
682 4. Workforce literacy programs.
683 (e) Providing dual enrollment instruction.
684 (f) Providing upper level instruction and awarding
685 baccalaureate degrees as specifically authorized by law.
686 (6) A separate and secondary role for Florida Community
687 College System institutions includes the offering of programs
688 in:
689 (a) Programs in community services that are not directly
690 related to academic or occupational advancement.
691 (b) Programs in adult education services, including adult
692 basic education, adult general education, adult secondary
693 education, and high school equivalency examination instruction.
694 (c) Programs in recreational and leisure services.
695 (d) Upper level instruction and awarding baccalaureate
696 degrees as specifically authorized by law.
697 (7) Funding for Florida Community College System
698 institutions shall reflect their mission as follows:
699 (a) Postsecondary academic and career education programs
700 and adult general education programs shall have first priority
701 in Florida Community College System institution funding.
702 (b) Community service programs shall be presented to the
703 Legislature with rationale for state funding. The Legislature
704 may identify priority areas for use of these funds.
705 (c) The resources of a Florida Community College System
706 institution, including staff, faculty, land, and facilities,
707 shall not be used to support the establishment of a new
708 independent nonpublic educational institution. If any
709 institution uses resources for such purpose, the Division of
710 Florida Community Colleges shall notify the President of the
711 Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
712 (8) Florida Community College System institutions are
713 authorized to:
714 (a) Offer such programs and courses as are necessary to
715 fulfill their mission.
716 (b) Grant associate in arts degrees, associate in science
717 degrees, associate in applied science degrees, certificates,
718 awards, and diplomas.
719 (c) Make provisions for the high school equivalency
720 examination.
721 (d) Provide access to and award baccalaureate degrees in
722 accordance with law.
723
724 Authority to offer one or more baccalaureate degree programs
725 does not alter the governance relationship of the Florida
726 Community College System institution with its district board of
727 trustees or the State Board of Education.
728 Section 13. Paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of section
729 1004.92, Florida Statutes, is amended, and subsection (4) is
730 added to that section, to read:
731 1004.92 Purpose and responsibilities for career education.—
732 (2)
733 (b) Department of Education accountability for career
734 education includes, but is not limited to:
735 1. The provision of timely, accurate technical assistance
736 to school districts and Florida Community College System
737 institutions.
738 2. The provision of timely, accurate information to the
739 State Board of Education, the Legislature, and the public.
740 3. The development of policies, rules, and procedures that
741 facilitate institutional attainment of the accountability
742 standards and coordinate the efforts of all divisions within the
743 department.
744 4. The development of program standards and industry-driven
745 benchmarks for career, adult, and community education programs,
746 which must be updated every 3 years. The standards must include
747 career, academic, and workplace skills; viability of distance
748 learning for instruction; and work/learn cycles that are
749 responsive to business and industry; and provisions that reflect
750 the quality components of career and technical education
751 programs.
752 5. Overseeing school district and Florida Community College
753 System institution compliance with the provisions of this
754 chapter.
755 6. Ensuring that the educational outcomes for the technical
756 component of career programs are uniform and designed to provide
757 a graduate who is capable of entering the workforce on an
758 equally competitive basis regardless of the institution of
759 choice.
760 (4) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules to
761 administer this section.
762 Section 14. Subsection (2) of section 1007.01, Florida
763 Statutes, is amended to read:
764 1007.01 Articulation; legislative intent; purpose; role of
765 the State Board of Education and the Board of Governors;
766 Articulation Coordinating Committee.—
767 (2) To preserve Florida’s “2+2” system of articulation and
768 improve and facilitate articulation systemwide, the State Board
769 of Education and the Board of Governors shall collaboratively
770 establish and adopt policies with input from statewide K-20
771 advisory groups established by the Commissioner of Education and
772 the Chancellor of the State University System and shall
773 recommend the policies to the Legislature. The policies shall
774 relate to:
775 (a) The alignment between the exit requirements of one
776 education system and the admissions requirements of another
777 education system into which students typically transfer.
778 (b) The identification of common courses, the level of
779 courses, institutional participation in a statewide course
780 numbering system, and the transferability of credits among such
781 institutions.
782 (c) Identification of courses that meet general education
783 or common degree program prerequisite requirements at public
784 postsecondary educational institutions.
785 (d) Dual enrollment course equivalencies.
786 (e) Articulation agreements.
787 (f) The application of credit hours earned through CAPE
788 industry certifications pursuant to s. 1008.44 and acceleration
789 mechanisms, including nationally standardized examinations, to
790 general education, associate degree, or baccalaureate degree
791 requirements.
792 (g) The application of credit hours earned at Florida
793 Community College System institutions to general education,
794 associate degree, or baccalaureate degree requirements at state
795 universities.
796 Section 15. Subsection (1) of section 1007.23, Florida
797 Statutes, is amended to read:
798 1007.23 Statewide articulation agreement.—
799 (1) The State Board of Education and the Board of Governors
800 shall enter into a statewide articulation agreement which the
801 State Board of Education shall adopt by rule. The agreement must
802 preserve Florida’s “2+2” system of articulation, facilitate the
803 seamless articulation of student credit across and among
804 Florida’s educational entities, and reinforce the provisions of
805 this chapter by governing:
806 (a) Articulation between secondary and postsecondary
807 education;
808 (b) Admission of associate in arts degree graduates from
809 Florida Community College System institutions and state
810 universities;
811 (c) Admission of applied technology diploma program
812 graduates from Florida Community College System institutions or
813 career centers;
814 (d) Admission of associate in science degree and associate
815 in applied science degree graduates from Florida Community
816 College System institutions;
817 (e) The application use of credit hours earned through CAPE
818 industry certifications pursuant to s. 1008.44 and acceleration
819 mechanisms, including nationally standardized examinations, to
820 general education, associate degree, or baccalaureate degree
821 requirements through which students may earn credit;
822 (f) General education requirements and statewide course
823 numbers as provided for in ss. 1007.24 and 1007.25; and
824 (g) Articulation among programs in nursing; and
825 (h) The application of credit hours earned at Florida
826 Community College System institutions to general education,
827 associate degree, or baccalaureate degree requirements at state
828 universities.
829 Section 16. Subsection (3) of section 1007.273, Florida
830 Statutes, is amended to read:
831 1007.273 Collegiate high school program.—
832 (3) Each district school board and its local Florida
833 Community College System institution shall execute a contract to
834 establish one or more collegiate high school programs at a
835 mutually agreed upon location or locations. The contract between
836 the district school board and the Florida Community College
837 System institution may not establish an enrollment cap for the
838 collegiate high school program. Each school district must
839 document and annually report to the department the number of
840 students accepted into or denied access to the collegiate high
841 school program. Each Florida Community College System
842 institution must document and annually report to the department
843 the percent of collegiate high school program students in its
844 institution relative to the total lower level full-time
845 equivalent enrollment at that institution. Beginning with the
846 2015-2016 school year, if the institution does not establish a
847 program with a district school board in its designated service
848 area, another Florida Community College System institution may
849 execute a contract with that district school board to establish
850 the program. The contract must be executed by January 1 of each
851 school year for implementation of the program during the next
852 school year. The contract must:
853 (a) Identify the grade levels to be included in the
854 collegiate high school program which must, at a minimum, include
855 grade 12.
856 (b) Describe the collegiate high school program, including
857 the delineation of courses and industry certifications offered,
858 including online course availability; the high school and
859 college credits earned for each postsecondary course completed
860 and industry certification earned; student eligibility criteria;
861 and the enrollment process and relevant deadlines.
862 (c) Describe the methods, medium, and process by which
863 students and their parents are annually informed about the
864 availability of the collegiate high school program, the return
865 on investment associated with participation in the program, and
866 the information described in paragraphs (a) and (b).
867 (d) Identify the delivery methods for instruction and the
868 instructors for all courses.
869 (e) Identify student advising services and progress
870 monitoring mechanisms.
871 (f) Establish a program review and reporting mechanism
872 regarding student performance outcomes.
873 (g) Describe the terms of funding arrangements to implement
874 the collegiate high school program.
875 Section 17. Subsections (1), (4), and (5) of section
876 1007.33, Florida Statutes, are amended, present subsection (6)
877 of that section is redesignated as subsection (7), and a new
878 subsection (6) is added to that section, to read:
879 1007.33 Site-determined baccalaureate degree access.—
880 (1)(a) The Legislature recognizes that public and private
881 postsecondary educational institutions play an essential role in
882 improving the quality of life and economic well-being of the
883 state and its residents. The Legislature also recognizes that
884 economic development needs and the educational needs of place
885 bound, nontraditional students have increased the demand for
886 local access to baccalaureate degree programs. It is therefore
887 the intent of the Legislature to further expand access to
888 baccalaureate degree programs through the use of Florida
889 Community College System institutions.
890 (b) For purposes of this section, the term “district”
891 refers to the county or counties served by a Florida Community
892 College System institution pursuant to s. 1000.21(3).
893 (4) A Florida Community College System institution may:
894 (a) Offer specified baccalaureate degree programs through
895 formal agreements between the Florida Community College System
896 institution and other regionally accredited postsecondary
897 educational institutions pursuant to s. 1007.22.
898 (b) Offer baccalaureate degree programs that are were
899 authorized by law prior to July 1, 2009.
900 (c) Beginning July 1, 2009, establish a first or subsequent
901 baccalaureate degree program for purposes of meeting district,
902 regional, or statewide workforce needs if approved by the State
903 Board of Education under this section. However, a Florida
904 Community College System institution may not offer a Bachelor of
905 Arts degree program.
906
907 Beginning July 1, 2009, the Board of Trustees of St. Petersburg
908 College is authorized to establish one or more bachelor of
909 applied science degree programs based on an analysis of
910 workforce needs in Pinellas, Pasco, and Hernando Counties and
911 other counties approved by the Department of Education. For each
912 program selected, St. Petersburg College must offer a related
913 associate in science or associate in applied science degree
914 program, and the baccalaureate degree level program must be
915 designed to articulate fully with at least one associate in
916 science degree program. The college is encouraged to develop
917 articulation agreements for enrollment of graduates of related
918 associate in applied science degree programs. The Board of
919 Trustees of St. Petersburg College is authorized to establish
920 additional baccalaureate degree programs if it determines a
921 program is warranted and feasible based on each of the factors
922 in paragraph (5)(d). However, the Board of Trustees of St.
923 Petersburg College may not establish any new baccalaureate
924 degree programs from March 31, 2014, through May 31, 2015. Prior
925 to developing or proposing a new baccalaureate degree program,
926 St. Petersburg College shall engage in need, demand, and impact
927 discussions with the state university in its service district
928 and other local and regional, accredited postsecondary providers
929 in its region. Documentation, data, and other information from
930 inter-institutional discussions regarding program need, demand,
931 and impact shall be provided to the college’s board of trustees
932 to inform the program approval process. Employment at St.
933 Petersburg College is governed by the same laws that govern
934 Florida College System institutions, except that upper-division
935 faculty are eligible for continuing contracts upon the
936 completion of the fifth year of teaching. Employee records for
937 all personnel shall be maintained as required by s. 1012.81.
938 (5) The approval process for baccalaureate degree programs
939 requires shall require:
940 (a) Each Florida Community College System institution to
941 submit a notice of its intent to propose a baccalaureate degree
942 program to the Division of Florida Community Colleges at least 1
943 year 100 days before the submission of its proposal under
944 paragraph (c)(d). The notice must include a brief description of
945 the program, the workforce demand and unmet need for graduates
946 of the program to include evidence from entities independent of
947 the institution, the geographic region to be served, and an
948 estimated timeframe for implementation. Notices of intent may be
949 submitted by a Florida Community College System institution at
950 any time throughout the year. The notice must also include
951 evidence that the Florida Community College System institution
952 engaged in need, demand, and impact discussions with the state
953 university and other regionally accredited postsecondary
954 education providers in its service district.
955 (b) The Division of Florida Community Colleges to forward
956 the notice of intent submitted pursuant to paragraph (a) and the
957 justification for the proposed baccalaureate degree program
958 submitted pursuant to paragraph (c) within 10 business days
959 after receiving such notice and justification to the Chancellor
960 of the State University System, the President of the Independent
961 Colleges and Universities of Florida, and the Executive Director
962 of the Commission for Independent Education. State universities
963 shall have 180 60 days following receipt of the justification
964 notice by the Chancellor of the State University System to
965 submit an objection, including a reason for such objection,
966 objections to the proposed new program or submit an alternative
967 proposal to offer the baccalaureate degree program. The
968 chancellor shall review the objection raised by a state
969 university and inform the Board of Governors of such objection
970 before the university submits its objection to the State Board
971 of Education. The State Board of Education must consult with the
972 Chancellor of the State University System to consider the
973 objection raised by a state university in making its decision to
974 approve or deny a Florida Community College System institution’s
975 proposal. If a proposal from a state university is not received
976 within the 60-day period, The State Board of Education shall
977 also provide regionally accredited private colleges and
978 universities 180 30 days to submit objections to the proposed
979 new program or submit an alternative proposal. Objections or
980 alternative proposals shall be submitted to the Division of
981 Florida Community Colleges and must be considered by the State
982 Board of Education in making its decision to approve or deny a
983 Florida Community College System institution’s proposal.
984 (c) An alternative proposal submitted by a state university
985 or private college or university to adequately address:
986 1. The extent to which the workforce demand and unmet need
987 described in the notice of intent will be met.
988 2. The extent to which students will be able to complete
989 the degree in the geographic region proposed to be served by the
990 Florida College System institution.
991 3. The level of financial commitment of the college or
992 university to the development, implementation, and maintenance
993 of the specified degree program, including timelines.
994 4. The extent to which faculty at both the Florida College
995 System institution and the college or university will
996 collaborate in the development and offering of the curriculum.
997 5. The ability of the Florida College System institution
998 and the college or university to develop and approve the
999 curriculum for the specified degree program within 6 months
1000 after an agreement between the Florida College System
1001 institution and the college or university is signed.
1002 6. The extent to which the student may incur additional
1003 costs above what the student would expect to incur if the
1004 program were offered by the Florida College System institution.
1005 (d) Each proposal submitted by a Florida Community College
1006 System institution to, at a minimum, include:
1007 1. A description of the planning process and timeline for
1008 implementation.
1009 2. A justification for the proposed baccalaureate degree
1010 program including, at a minimum, a data-driven An analysis of
1011 workforce demand and unmet need for graduates of the program on
1012 a district, regional, or statewide basis, as appropriate, and
1013 the extent to which the proposed program will meet the workforce
1014 demand and unmet need. The analysis must include workforce and
1015 employment data for the most recent 5 years and projections for
1016 the next 3 years, and a summary of degree programs, similar to
1017 the proposed degree program, which are currently offered by
1018 state universities or by independent nonprofit colleges or
1019 universities that are eligible to participate in the William L.
1020 Boyd, IV, Florida Resident Access Grant Program, which are
1021 located in the Florida Community College System institution’s
1022 regional service area. The analysis must be verified by more
1023 than one third-party professional entity that is including
1024 evidence from entities independent of the Florida Community
1025 College System institution. A Florida Community College System
1026 institution must submit the justification to the Division of
1027 Florida Community Colleges within 90 days after forwarding the
1028 institution’s intent to propose a baccalaureate degree program.
1029 The division must forward the justification for the proposed
1030 baccalaureate degree program within 10 business days after
1031 receiving such justification to the Chancellor of the State
1032 University System, the President of the Independent Colleges and
1033 Universities of Florida, and the Executive Director of the
1034 Commission for Independent Education.
1035 3. Identification of the facilities, equipment, and library
1036 and academic resources that will be used to deliver the program.
1037 4. The program cost analysis of creating a new
1038 baccalaureate degree when compared to alternative proposals and
1039 other program delivery options.
1040 5. The program’s admission requirements, academic content,
1041 curriculum, faculty credentials, student-to-teacher ratios, and
1042 accreditation plan.
1043 6. The program’s enrollment projections and funding
1044 requirements, including the institution’s efforts to sustain the
1045 program at the cost of tuition and fees for students who are
1046 classified as residents for tuition purposes under s. 1009.21,
1047 not to exceed $10,000 for the entire degree program, including
1048 utilization of waivers pursuant to s. 1009.26(11).
1049 7. A plan of action if the program is terminated.
1050 (d)(e) The Division of Florida Community Colleges to review
1051 the proposal, notify the Florida Community College System
1052 institution of any deficiencies in writing within 30 days
1053 following receipt of the proposal, and provide the Florida
1054 Community College System institution with an opportunity to
1055 correct the deficiencies. Within 45 days following receipt of a
1056 completed proposal by the Division of Florida Community
1057 Colleges, after consultation with the Chancellor of the State
1058 University System and the President of the Independent Colleges
1059 and Universities of Florida, the Commissioner of Education shall
1060 recommend approval or disapproval of the proposal to the State
1061 Board of Education. The State Board of Education shall consider
1062 such recommendation, the proposal, input from the chancellor and
1063 the president, and any objections or alternative proposals at
1064 its next meeting. If the State Board of Education disapproves
1065 the Florida Community College System institution’s proposal, it
1066 shall provide the Florida Community College System institution
1067 with written reasons for that determination.
1068 (e)(f) The Florida Community College System institution to
1069 obtain from the Commission on Colleges of the Southern
1070 Association of Colleges and Schools accreditation as a
1071 baccalaureate-degree-granting institution if approved by the
1072 State Board of Education to offer its first baccalaureate degree
1073 program.
1074 (f)(g) The Florida Community College System institution to
1075 notify the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of
1076 Colleges and Schools of subsequent degree programs that are
1077 approved by the State Board of Education and to comply with the
1078 association’s required substantive change protocols for
1079 accreditation purposes.
1080 (g)(h) The Florida Community College System institution to
1081 annually report to, and upon request of the State Board of
1082 Education, the Commissioner of Education, the Chancellor of the
1083 Florida Community College System, the Chancellor of the State
1084 University System, and or the Legislature, report its status
1085 using the following performance and compliance indicators:
1086 1. Obtaining and maintaining appropriate Southern
1087 Association of Colleges and Schools accreditation;
1088 2. Maintaining qualified faculty and institutional
1089 resources;
1090 3. Maintaining enrollment in previously approved programs;
1091 4. Managing fiscal resources appropriately;
1092 5. Complying with the primary mission and responsibility
1093 requirements in subsections (2) and (3); and
1094 6. Other indicators of success, including program
1095 completions, employment and earnings outcomes, acceptance into
1096 and performance in graduate programs placements, and surveys of
1097 graduates and employers; and
1098 7. Continuing to meet workforce demand, as provided in
1099 subparagraph (c)2., as demonstrated through a data-driven needs
1100 assessment by the Florida Community College System institution,
1101 which is verified by a third-party professional entity that is
1102 independent of the institution.
1103
1104 The State Board of Education, upon annual review of the
1105 baccalaureate degree program performance and compliance
1106 indicators and needs assessment, may require a Florida Community
1107 College System institution’s board of trustees to modify or
1108 terminate a baccalaureate degree program authorized under this
1109 section. However, if the annual review indicates negative
1110 program performance and compliance results and the needs
1111 assessment fails to demonstrate a need for the program, the
1112 State Board of Education shall require a Florida Community
1113 College System institution’s board of trustees to terminate that
1114 baccalaureate degree program.
1115 (6) The total upper level, undergraduate full-time
1116 equivalent enrollment at a Florida Community College System
1117 institution may not exceed 5 percent of the combined total lower
1118 level and upper level full-time equivalent enrollment at that
1119 institution.
1120 Section 18. Section 1008.38, Florida Statutes, is amended
1121 to read:
1122 1008.38 Articulation accountability process.—The State
1123 Board of Education, in conjunction with the Board of Governors,
1124 shall develop articulation accountability measures which assess
1125 the status of systemwide articulation processes authorized under
1126 s. 1007.23, preserve Florida’s “2+2” system of articulation, and
1127 establish an articulation accountability process which at a
1128 minimum shall address:
1129 (1) The impact of articulation processes on ensuring
1130 educational continuity and the orderly and unobstructed
1131 transition of students between public secondary and
1132 postsecondary education systems and facilitating the transition
1133 of students between the public and private sectors.
1134 (2) The adequacy of preparation of public secondary
1135 students to smoothly articulate to a public postsecondary
1136 institution.
1137 (3) The effectiveness of articulated acceleration
1138 mechanisms available to secondary students and the application
1139 of credit hours earned through CAPE industry certifications
1140 pursuant to s. 1008.44 and acceleration mechanisms, including
1141 nationally standardized examinations, to general education,
1142 associate degree, or baccalaureate degree requirements.
1143 (4) The smooth transfer of Florida Community College System
1144 associate degree graduates to a Florida Community College System
1145 institution or a state university, and the application of credit
1146 hours earned at Florida Community College System institutions to
1147 general education, associate degree, or baccalaureate degree
1148 requirements at state universities.
1149 (5) An examination of degree requirements that exceed the
1150 parameters of 60 credit hours for an associate degree and 120
1151 hours for a baccalaureate degree in public postsecondary
1152 programs.
1153 (6) The relationship between student attainment of college
1154 level academic skills and articulation to the upper division in
1155 public postsecondary institutions.
1156 Section 19. The State Board of Education, in collaboration
1157 with the Board of Governors, shall evaluate and report on the
1158 status of Florida’s “2+2” system of articulation using the
1159 accountability measures required pursuant to this section and
1160 any other state law. By November 1, 2016, the state board and
1161 the Board of Governors shall submit their report to the
1162 Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the
1163 House of Representatives. The report must include findings
1164 regarding the status of Florida’s “2+2” system of articulation
1165 and recommendations for improvement.
1166 Section 20. The Division of Law Revision and Information is
1167 directed to prepare a reviser’s bill for the 2016 Regular
1168 Session to conform the Florida Statutes to the changes in
1169 terminology made by this act. The reviser’s bill must substitute
1170 the term “Division of Florida Community Colleges” for “Division
1171 of Florida Colleges”; “Florida Community College System” for
1172 “Florida College System”; and “Florida Community College System
1173 institution” for “Florida College System institution” where
1174 those terms appear in the Florida Statutes and reflect the
1175 renaming of Florida community colleges in relevant sections of
1176 law.
1177 Section 21. This act shall take effect July 1, 2015.