SB 7032 — Education

creating s.

1011.8041, F.S.;

creating the GATE Program Performance Fund for a specified purpose;

defining the term “institution”;

subject to legislative appropriation, requiring each participating institution to receive a specified amount of money per student, subject to certain conditions;

authorizing the state board to adopt rules;

PageSection 21. of 14 CODING:

WordsSubsection stricken(3) areof deletions;section 1003.435, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

words1003.435 underlinedHigh areschool additions.equivalency diploma program.— (3) Each district school board shall:

Florida(a) SenateOffer -and 2024administer CSthe forhigh SBschool 7032equivalency 576-03685-24diploma 20247032c1examinations Sectionand 1.the subject area examinations to all candidates pursuant to rules of the State Board of Education.

(b) Notify each candidate of adult secondary and postsecondary education options available in or near the district.

The candidate must also be informed of the eligibility requirements and any minimum academic requirements for each available option.

Section 2.

1004.933Page Graduation2 Alternative to Traditional Education (GATE) Program.— (1) LEGISLATIVE INTENT.— (a) It is the intent of the11 LegislatureCODING: to create an alternative pathway to education and workforce opportunities for students who have withdrawn from high school prior to graduation.

(b) It is the intent of the Legislature to affirm the unequivocal value of a standard high school diploma as the primary education credential by which students access higher education and workforce opportunities.

Further, the Legislature affirms that parental consent is required for a student under 18 years of age to withdraw from high school prior to graduation.

(c) The Legislature intends to expand opportunities for students to complete high school courses and earn a standard high school diploma.

(d) The Legislature recognizes that when a student withdraws from high school prior to graduation, the student has not received the full value of a taxpayer-funded pre-K-12 education, and therefore lacks the education credential essential to gainful employment and future educational opportunities.

Therefore, the Legislature intends to provide an alternative pathway program, waiving tuition and fees for the program for participating students who have not earned a standard high school diploma.

(2) PROGRAM CREATION.—The Graduation Alternative to Page 3 of 14 CODING:

Florida Senate - 2024 CS(PROPOSED forBILL) SBSPB 7032 576-03685-24589-01972A-24 20247032c120247032pb 1004.933 Graduation Alternative to Traditional Education (GATE) ProgramProgram.— (1) LEGISLATIVE INTENT.—It is createdthe withinintent of the DepartmentLegislature that each high school student have the opportunity to earn postsecondary course credits at no cost to the student while pursuing the completion of Education.a standard high school diploma or equivalent credential.

(3)Furthermore, DEFINITIONS.—Asto usedhelp inmeet this section,state’s workforce skill needs, it is the term:intent of the Legislature that high school students have access to high-quality workforce education programs that can help them build their basic education abilities and attain industry-recognized postsecondary credentials.

(2) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section, the term:

(4)(3) PAYMENTESTABLISHMENT; WAIVER;

ELIGIBILITY.—PURPOSE.—The (a)Graduation NotwithstandingAlternative anyto otherTraditional provisionEducation of(GATE) stateProgram law,is ancreated institutionwithin shallthe waiveDepartment 100 percent of theEducation registration, tuition, laboratory, and examination fees for a student participating in the GATEfollowing Program.purposes:

Instructional(a) materialsAssisting assignedstudents forwho usemay underhave thechallenges GATEin Programcompleting mustthe berequirements madefor availablea tostandard GATEhigh Programschool studentsdiploma freein ofa charge.traditional setting.

An(b) institutionCreating mayan notalternative requireeducation paymentpathway bythat studentssupports ofthis instructionalstate’s materialscommitment coststo eligibleeducational accessibility for reimbursementall understudents s.by providing additional opportunities for students 16 Page 3 of 11 CODING:

Words stricken are deletions;

words underlined are additions.

Florida Senate - 2024 (PROPOSED BILL) SPB 7032 589-01972A-24 20247032pb to 21 years of age who have discontinued enrollment in traditional high school programs.

(c) Increasing the number of students who successfully earn a high school credential in this state.

(d) Increasing the interest and participation of students in career and technical education (CTE) programs.

(4) PAYMENT EXEMPTION;

ELIGIBILITY.— (a) Any student enrolled in the GATE Program is exempt from the payment of registration, tuition, laboratory, and examination fees to a participating institution.

Instructional materials assigned for use under the GATE program must be made available to GATE Program students free of charge.

An institution may not require payment by students of instructional material costs eligible for reimbursement under s.

(b) To be eligible for participation in the GATE Program, a student must:may not have earned a standard high school diploma pursuant to s.

1.

Not have earned a standard high school diploma pursuant to s.

1003.435 before enrolling in the GATE Program;Program and must:

1.

Be a resident of this state as defined under s.

1009.21;

HaveBe beenconcurrently withdrawnenrolled fromin highan school;adult secondary education program as defined in s.

1004.02(4) and a career education program at a Florida College System institution, a school district career center, or a charter technical career center;

Be a16 residentto 21 years of thisage stateat asthe definedtime inof s.initial enrollment;

1009.21(1);

BeSelect 16 to 21 years of age at the timeCTE ofpathway initial enrollment, provided that a student who is 16 or 17program years of agehis hasor withdrawnher fromchoice schoolat enrollment pursuant to the Pagetime 4 of 14enrollment. CODING:

The student may not change the requested pathway after enrollment;

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Florida Senate - 2024 CS(PROPOSED forBILL) SBSPB 7032 576-03685-24589-01972A-24 20247032c120247032pb requirements5. and safeguards in s.

1003.21(1)(c);Maintain a 2.0 GPA for CTE coursework;

5.and 6.

SelectComplete the adultprograms secondary education program and career education program of his or her choice at the time of admission to the GATE Program, provided that the career education program is included on the Master Credentials List under s.subparagraph 2.

445.004(4).within 3 years after initial enrollment unless the institution determines that an extension is warranted due to extenuating circumstances.

The(c) studentAn institution may not changeimpose theadditional requestedcriteria pathwayto afterdetermine enrollment,a exceptstudent’s that,eligibility if necessary for the student, the student may enroll in an adult basic education program prior to enrollingreceive ina thewaiver adultunder secondarythis educationsection. program;

6.(5) RULES.—The State Board of Education shall adopt rules to implement this section.

MaintainSection a3. 2.0 GPA for career and technical education coursework;

andParagraph 7.(b) of subsection (3) of section 1008.34, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

Notwithstanding1008.34 s.School grading system;

1003.435(4),school completereport thecards; programs under subparagraph 5.

withindistrict 3grade.— years(3) afterDESIGNATION hisOF orSCHOOL herGRADES.— initial(b)1. enrollment unless the institution determines that an extension is warranted due to extenuating circumstances.

(c)A Subjectschool’s tograde theshall availabilitybe ofbased funds,on a student who meets the requirementsfollowing ofcomponents, paragrapheach (b)worth and100 ispoints: enrolled in the GATE Program is eligible to receive the stipend specified in s.

1009.895(3).a.

(d)The Anpercentage institutionof mayeligible notstudents imposepassing additionalstatewide, criteriastandardized toassessments determinein aEnglish student’sLanguage eligibilityArts to receive a waiver under thiss. section.

(5)1008.22(3). DEPARTMENT RESPONSIBILITIES.—In addition to administering the GATE Program, the Department of Education shall perform the following duties:

(a)b. Disseminate information about the GATE Program to eligible institutions, local workforce development boards, and other local, regional, or state initiatives that interact with the GATE Program’s target population.

PageThe 5percentage of 14eligible CODING:students passing statewide, standardized assessments in mathematics under s.

1008.22(3).

c.

The percentage of eligible students passing statewide, standardized assessments in science under s.

1008.22(3).

d.

The percentage of eligible students passing statewide, standardized assessments in social studies under s.

1008.22(3).

e.

The percentage of eligible students who make Learning Gains in English Language Arts as measured by statewide, standardized assessments administered under s.

1008.22(3).

f.

The percentage of eligible students who make Learning Page 5 of 11 CODING:

Florida Senate - 2024 CS(PROPOSED forBILL) SBSPB 7032 576-03685-24589-01972A-24 20247032c120247032pb (b)Gains Connectin prospectivemathematics studentsas directlymeasured toby eligiblestatewide, institutions.standardized assessments administered under s.

(c)1008.22(3). Provide access to online career planning tools.

(6)g. REPORTING.—Beginning October 1, 2025, and each October 1 thereafter, the Department of Education shall submit a report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives on the number and value of registration, tuition, laboratory, and examination fees and instructional materials costs waived and reimbursed, by institution;

theThe numberpercentage of eligible students whoin havethe obtainedlowest a25 standardpercent highin schoolEnglish diplomaLanguage orArts, highas schoolidentified equivalencyby diplomaprior whileyear participatingperformance inon thestatewide, GATEstandardized Program;assessments, who make Learning Gains as measured by statewide, standardized English Language Arts assessments administered under s.

the1008.22(3). number of students completing an applied technology diploma or career certificate while participating in the GATE Program;

theh. number of students participating in the GATE Program who receive a stipend under s.

1009.895(3);The percentage of eligible students in the lowest 25 percent in mathematics, as identified by prior year performance on statewide, standardized assessments, who make Learning Gains as measured by statewide, standardized Mathematics assessments administered under s.

the1008.22(3). number of students who have earned an industry certification on the CAPE Industry Certification Funding List while participating in the GATE Program;

andi. the number of students who completed the GATE Program.

TheFor reportingschools periodcomprised shallof covermiddle grades 6 through 8 or grades 7 and 8, the previouspercentage academicof year.eligible students passing high school level statewide, standardized end-of-course assessments or attaining national industry certifications identified in the CAPE Industry Certification Funding List pursuant to state board rule.

(7)j. RULES.—The State Board of Education may adopt rules to implement this section.

SectionBeginning 2.in the 2023-2024 school year, for schools comprised of grade levels that include grade 3, the percentage of eligible students who score an achievement level 3 or higher on the grade 3 statewide, standardized English Language Arts assessment administered under s.

Paragraph1008.22(3). (g) of subsection (1) of section 445.009, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

445.009In One-stopcalculating deliveryLearning system.—Gains (1)for Thethe one-stopcomponents deliverylisted systemin issub- subparagraphs e.-h., the state’sState primaryBoard customer-serviceof strategyEducation forshall offeringrequire everythat Floridianlearning access,growth throughtoward serviceachievement siteslevels or3, telephone4, orand computer5 networks,is todemonstrated by students who scored below each of those levels in the followingprior services:year.

In calculating the components in sub- Page 6 of 1411 CODING:

Florida Senate - 2024 CS(PROPOSED forBILL) SBSPB 7032 576-03685-24589-01972A-24 20247032c120247032pb (g)subparagraphs Adulta.-d., education,the andstate basicboard skillsshall training,include integratedthe educationperformance andof training,English andlanguage thelearners Graduationonly Alternativeif tothey Traditionalhave Educationbeen Programenrolled underin s.a school in the United States for more than 2 years.

1004.933.2.

SectionFor 3.a school comprised of grades 9, 10, 11, and 12, or grades 10, 11, and 12, the school’s grade shall also be based on the following components, each worth 100 points:

Paragrapha. (c) of subsection (1) of section 1003.21, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

1003.21The School4-year attendance.—high (1)school (c)graduation Arate student who attains the age of 16 years during the school yearas isdefined notby subjectstate toboard compulsoryrule. school attendance beyond the date upon which he or she attains that age if the student files a formal declaration of intent to terminate school enrollment with the district school board.

PublicStudents schoolenrolled studentsin whohigh haveschool attained the age of 16 years and who havechoose not graduated are subject to compulsoryenroll schoolin attendance until the formalGATE declarationProgram, ofpursuant intentto iss. filed with the district school board.

The1004.933, declarationmay mustnot acknowledge that terminating school enrollment is likely to reduce the student’s earning potential and must be signedincluded byin the studentgraduation andrate. the student’s parent.

Theb. school district shall notify the student’s parent of receipt of the student’s declaration of intent to terminate school enrollment.

The student’spercentage certifiedof schoolstudents counselorwho orwere othereligible school personnel shall conduct an exit interview with the student to determineearn thecollege reasonsand forcareer thecredit student’sthrough decisionan toassessment terminateidentified schoolpursuant enrollment and actions that could be taken to keeps. the student in school.

The1007.27(2), student’sCollege certifiedBoard schoolAdvanced counselorPlacement orexaminations, otherInternational schoolBaccalaureate personnelexaminations, shalldual informenrollment thecourses, studentincluding ofcareer opportunitiesdual toenrollment continuecourses hisresulting orin herthe educationcompletion inof a300 differentor environment,more including,clock buthours notduring limitedhigh to,school adultwhich education,are andapproved highby schoolthe equivalencystate examinationboard preparation,as andmeeting the Pagerequirements 7 of 14s. CODING:

Words1007.271, strickenor areAdvanced deletions;International Certificate of Education examinations;

wordswho, underlinedat areany additions.time during high school, earned national industry certification identified in the CAPE Industry Certification Funding List, pursuant to rules adopted by the state board;

Floridaor Senatewho -earned 2024an CSArmed forServices SBQualification 7032Test 576-03685-24score 20247032c1that Graduationfalls Alternativewithin toCategory TraditionalII Educationor Programhigher underon s.the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery and earned a minimum of two credits in Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps courses from the same branch of the United States Armed Forces.

1004.933.

Additionally, the student shall complete a survey in a format prescribed by the Department of Education to provide data on student reasons for terminating enrollment and actions taken by schools to keep students enrolled.

Subsection (3) of section 1003.435, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

1003.435 High school equivalency diploma program.— (3) Each district school board shall:

(a) Offer and administer the high school equivalency diploma examinations and the subject area examinations to all candidates pursuant to rules of the State Board of Education.

(b) Notify each candidate of adult secondary and postsecondary education options available in or near the school district, including the Graduation Alternative to Traditional Education Program under s.

1004.933.

The candidate must also be informed of the eligibility requirements and any minimum academic requirements for each available option.

Section 5.

1009.711Page GATE7 Scholarshipof Program.—11 (1)CODING: The GATE Scholarship Program is created to financially support institutions participating in the GATE Program established pursuant to s.

1004.933.

(2) The Department of Education shall administer the GATE Scholarship Program in accordance with rules adopted by the State Board of Education.

(3) The GATE Scholarship Program shall reimburse eligible institutions for registration, tuition, laboratory, and Page 8 of 14 CODING:

Florida Senate - 2024 CS(PROPOSED forBILL) SBSPB 7032 576-03685-24589-01972A-24 20247032c120247032pb examination1009.711 feesGATE andScholarship relatedProgram.— instructional(1) materialsThe costsGATE forScholarship studentsProgram enrolledis created to financially support institutions in providing the GATE Program.Program established pursuant to s.

Institutions1004.933. must be reimbursed at the in-state resident tuition rate established in s.

(2) The Department of Education shall administer the GATE Scholarship Program in accordance with rules adopted by the State Board of Education pursuant to subsection (6).

(3) The program shall reimburse eligible institutions for registration, tuition, laboratory, and examination fees and related instructional materials costs for students enrolled in the GATE Program.

School district career centers and Florida College System institutions must be reimbursed at the in-state resident tuition rate established in s.

(6)Page The8 State Board of Education11 mayCODING: adopt rules to implement this section.

Section 6.

Subsection (10) of section 1011.80, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

1011.80 Funds for operation of workforce education programs.— (10) A high school student dually enrolled under s.

1007.271 in a workforce education program operated by a Florida College System institution or school district career center Page 9 of 14 CODING:

Florida Senate - 2024 CS(PROPOSED forBILL) SBSPB 7032 576-03685-24589-01972A-24 20247032c120247032pb generates(6) theThe amountState calculatedBoard for workforce education funding, including any payment of performance funding, and the proportional share of full-time equivalent enrollment generated through the Florida Education Financeshall Programadopt forrules theto student’simplement enrollmentthis insection. a high school.

Section 5.

Subsection (10) of section 1011.80, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

1011.80 Funds for operation of workforce education programs.— (10) A high school student dually enrolled under s.

1007.271 in a workforce education program operated by a Florida College System institution or school district career center generates the amount calculated for workforce education funding, including any payment of performance funding, and the proportional share of full-time equivalent enrollment generated through the Florida Education Finance Program for the student’s enrollment in a high school.

A student may not bePage reported9 forof funding11 inCODING: a dual enrollment workforce education program unless the student has completed the basic skills assessment pursuant to s.

1004.91.

A student who is coenrolled in a K-12 education program and an adult education program may be reported for purposes of funding in an adult education program.

If a student is coenrolled in core curricula courses for credit recovery or dropout prevention purposes and does not have a pattern of excessive absenteeism or habitual truancy or a history of disruptive behavior in school, the student may be Page 10 of 14 CODING:

Florida Senate - 2024 CS(PROPOSED forBILL) SBSPB 7032 576-03685-24589-01972A-24 20247032c120247032pb be reported for funding forin upa todual fourenrollment twoworkforce courseseducation perprogram year.unless the student has completed the basic skills assessment pursuant to s.

1004.91.

A student who is coenrolled in a K-12 education program and an adult education program may be reported for purposes of funding in an adult education program.

If a student is coenrolled in core curricula courses for credit recovery or dropout prevention purposes and does not have a pattern of excessive absenteeism or habitual truancy or a history of disruptive behavior in school, the student may be reported for funding for up to four two courses per year.

Section 7.6.

1011.804 GATE StartupProgram GrantStudent Program.—Success Incentive Fund.— (1) TheA GATE StartupProgram GrantStudent ProgramSuccess Incentive Fund is establishedcreated withinto thereward Departmentschool ofdistricts Educationand toFlorida fundCollege andSystem supportinstitutions for the startupdocumented andsuccess implementation of students participating in the GATE Program,Program subjectestablished tounder legislatives. appropriation.

The purpose of the grant program is to increase access to programs that support adult learners earning a high school credential, either a high school diploma or its equivalent, and a workforce credential aligned to statewide or regional demand.

The department shall administer the grants, determine eligibility, and distribute grant awards.

(2) As used in this section, the term “institution” means a school district career center established under s.

1001.44, a charter technical career center established under s.

1002.34, or a Florida College System institution identified in s.

1000.21 which offers the GATE Program pursuant to s.

(3) The department may solicit proposals from institutions without programs that meet the requirements of s.

1004.933(2).

Such institutions must be located in or serve a rural area of opportunity as designated by the Governor.

(4) The department shall prioritize grant proposals that combine adult basic education, adult secondary education, and Page 11 of 14 CODING:

Words stricken are deletions;

words underlined are additions.

Florida Senate - 2024 CS for SB 7032 576-03685-24 20247032c1 career education programs at one location or allow students to complete programs through distance learning.

An applicant may not receive more than 10 percent of the total amount appropriated for the program.

(5) The department shall make the grant application available to potential applicants no later than August 15, 2024.

A grant proposal must include:

(a) The institution or institutions that will provide the adult basic education, adult secondary education, and career education programs;

(b) The proposed adult basic education and adult secondary education program or programs the institution or institutions will provide, and the projected enrollment for such program or programs;

(c) The proposed career education program or programs the institution or institutions will provide and the projected enrollment for such program or programs;

(d) The credential or credentials associated with the career education program or programs.

Such credential or credentials must be included on the Master Credentials List under s.

445.004(4);

(e) The cost of instruction for all programs contemplated in the proposal, including costs for tuition, fees, registration, and laboratory, examination, and instructional materials costs;

(f) Outreach strategies, including collaboration with local workforce development boards;

and (g) A plan or timeline for implementing s.

1004.933 and enrolling students.

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Words stricken are deletions;

words underlined are additions.

Florida Senate - 2024 CS for SB 7032 576-03685-24 20247032c1 (6) Grant funds may be used for planning activities and other expenses associated with the creation of the GATE Program, such as expenses related to program instruction, instructional equipment, supplies, instructional personnel, and student services.

Grant funds may not be used for indirect costs.

Grant recipients must submit an annual report in a format prescribed by the department.

The department shall consolidate such annual reports and include the reports in the report required by s.

1004.933(5).

(7) The State Board of Education may adopt rules to administer this section.

Section 8.

Section 1011.8041, Florida Statutes, is created to read:

1011.8041 GATE Program Performance Fund.— (1) The GATE Program Performance Fund is created to reward institutions for the documented success of students participating in the GATE Program established under s.

1004.933.

(3) Subject to legislative appropriation, each participating institution must receive $1,000an perallocation studentbased whoon completesPage the10 GATEof Program11 byCODING: completing the adult secondary education program and the career education program within 3 years.

If the student completed the adult secondary education program and the career education programs at different institutions, then each institution must receive $500.

If funds Page 13 of 14 CODING:

Florida Senate - 2024 CS(PROPOSED forBILL) SBSPB 7032 576-03685-24589-01972A-24 20247032c120247032pb are insufficient to fully fund the calculatedperformance totalof award,students suchin fundsits mustGATE beProgram proratedaccording amongto the institutions.following metrics:

(4)(a) The Statenumber Board of Educationstudents mayobtaining adopta rulesstandard tohigh implementschool thisdiploma section.or high school equivalency diploma while participating in the program.

Section(b) 9.The number of postsecondary industry certifications or other program completion credentials earned by students participating in the program.

Eligible industry certifications must be identified on the CAPE Industry Certification Funding List approved by the State Board of Education under s.

1008.44.

(c) Unless otherwise specified in the General Appropriations Act, each institution must be provided $750 per student described in paragraph (a) and $1,000 per student earning certificates or credentials as provided in paragraph (b).

If funds are insufficient to fully fund the calculated total award, such funds must be prorated among the institutions.

Section 7.

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