The Florida Senate
BILL ANALYSIS AND FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
(This document is based on the provisions contained in the legislation as of the latest date listed below.)
Prepared By: The Professional Staff of the Committee on Education
BILL: SB 1394
INTRODUCER: Senator Rodriguez
SUBJECT: Certificates of Completion
DATE: March 29, 2021 REVISED:
ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR REFERENCE ACTION
1. Sagues Bouck ED Favorable
2. CM
3. RC
I. Summary:
SB 1394 provides a student who is awarded a Florida high school certificate of completion,
eligibility to enroll in programs offered at a school district career center and charter technical
career center.
The bill has no impact on state revenues or expenditures.
The bill takes effect on of July 1, 2021.
II. Present Situation:
Florida High School Diploma
Requirements
Florida law establishes academic requirements for earning a standard high school diploma to
include five options:1
24-credit program;2
Career and Technical Education Pathway;3
An International Baccalaureate curriculum;4
An Advanced International Certificate of Education curriculum;5 or
1 In addition to the five options available for students to earn a standard diploma, students with disabilities have two
additional options. Rule 6A-1.09963, F.A.C. Florida Department of Education, Graduation Requirements
http://www.fldoe.org/academics/graduation-requirements/ (last visited March, 25, 2021).
2
Section 1003.4282(1)(a), F.S.
3
Section 1003.4282(11), F.S.
4
Section 1003.4282(1)(a), F.S.
5
Id.
BILL: SB 1394 Page 2
18-credit Academically Challenging Curriculum to Enhance Learning (ACCEL) option.6
The 24 credits required for a standard high school diploma include:7
Four credits in English Language Arts (ELA);
Four credits in mathematics;
Three credits in science;
Three credits in social studies;
One credit in fine or performing arts, speech, and debate, or practical arts;
One credit in physical education; and
Eight credits in electives.
Within the 24 credits, at least one course must be completed through online learning.8 In addition
to successful completion of the required courses a student must earn a cumulative grade point
average (GPA) of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale9 and must pass the following required statewide
standardized assessments:
Grade 10 ELA assessment or earn a concordant score;10 and
Algebra I end-of-course (EOC) assessment or earn a comparative score.11
Certificate of Completion
A student who earns the required 24 credits, or the required 18 credits through the ACCEL
options graduation pathway, but fails to pass the required statewide assessments or achieve a 2.0
GPA must be awarded a certificate of completion in a form prescribed by the State Board of
Education (SBE). However, a student who is otherwise entitled to a certificate of completion
may elect to remain in high school either as a full-time student or a part-time student for up to
one additional year and receive special instruction designed to remedy his or her identified
deficiencies.12
Certificate of Completion- Admission to Postsecondary Education
Current law requires a student who has been awarded a certificate of completion to be eligible to
enroll in certificate career education programs at a Florida College System (FCS) institution.13 A
certificate career education program is defined as a course of study that leads to at least one
6
Section 1002.3105(5), F.S.
7
Section 1003.4282(3)(a)-(g), F.S.
8
Section 1003.4282(4), F.S.
9
Section 1003.4282(3) and s. 1003.4282(6)(a), F.S.
10
Section 1003.4282(3)(a) and (9)(d)1., F.S. Students and adults who have not yet earned their required passing score on the
Grade 10 FSA ELA Assessment, may meet this testing requirement to qualify for a high school diploma by earning a
concordant passing score on the SAT or ACT. Rule 6A-1.09422(8)(a)2., F.A.C.
11
Section 1003.4282(3)(b)1. and (9)(d)2., F.S. Students and adults who have not yet earned their required passing score on
the Algebra 1 EOC assessment, may meet this testing requirement to qualify for a high school diploma by earning a
comparative passing score on the Math section of the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test
(PSAT/NMSQT), the SAT or the ACT or on the Geometry EOC assessment. Rule 6A-1.09422(8)(b)2., F.A.C.
12
Section 1003.4282(6)(c), F.S.
13
Section 1007.263(4), F.S.
BILL: SB 1394 Page 3
occupational completion point.14 The program may also confer credit that may articulate with a
diploma or career degree education program, if authorized by rules of the SBE. 15
Career Centers
Current law allows a district school board to operate a career center as part of the district school
system.16 A career center is an educational institution which offers terminal courses of a
technical nature, as well as courses for adults and out-of-school youth.17 A center operates under
the control of the district school board where it is located and each center is directed by a director
who is responsible to the district school superintendent.18 Currently, there are 48 career centers
operating in 31 school districts in Florida.19
In addition to career centers, current law allows for the operation of charter technical centers.
Charter technical career centers are publicly-funded schools or technical centers operated under a
charter granted by a district school board, FCS board of trustees or a consortium comprised of
one or more of each.20 A sponsoring consortium must include the school district in which the
facility is located.21 There is only one charter technical center operating in Florida, Lake
Technical College, sponsored by the Lake County school board.22
III. Effect of Proposed Changes:
SB 1394 provides a student who is awarded a Florida high school certificate of completion,
eligibility to enroll in programs offered at a school district career center and charter technical
career center, which may offer additional opportunities for students to continue their education
and expand employment opportunities.
IV. Constitutional Issues:
A. Municipality/County Mandates Restrictions:
None.
B. Public Records/Open Meetings Issues:
None.
14
An occupational completion point means the occupational competencies that qualify a person to enter an occupation that is
linked to a career and technical program. Section 1004.02(20), F.S. See also Section 1004.02(21), F.S.
15
Id.
16
Section 1001.44(1), F.S.
17
Section 1001.44(3)(a), F.S.
18
Section 1001.44(3)(a), F.S.
19
Florida Department of Education, Career and Adult Education, District Postsecondary Institutions Map (Sept. 25, 2019),
available at, http://www.fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/5398/urlt/DistPSInstMap.pdf. See Florida Department of Education,
Career & Adult Education, Charter Technical Center Annual Report 2019-20 (2020), at 5, available at
http://www.fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/9904/urlt/charterreview20.pdf
20
Section 1002.34(3)(a)-(b), F.S.
21
Section 1002.34(3)(a) and (11), F.S.
22
Florida Department of Education, Charter Technical Centers Annual Report 2019-2020 (2020), at 5, available at
http://www.fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/9904/urlt/charterreview20.pdf.
BILL: SB 1394 Page 4
C. Trust Funds Restrictions:
None.
D. State Tax or Fee Increases:
None.
E. Other Constitutional Issues:
None.
V. Fiscal Impact Statement:
A. Tax/Fee Issues:
None.
B. Private Sector Impact:
The bill allows students earning a certificate of completion to enroll in programs offered
in career centers to continue their education and expand employment opportunities.
C. Government Sector Impact:
None.
VI. Technical Deficiencies:
None.
VII. Related Issues:
None.
VIII. Statutes Affected:
This bill substantially amends the sections 1001.44 and 1002.34 of the Florida Statutes.
IX. Additional Information:
A. Committee Substitute – Statement of Changes:
(Summarizing differences between the Committee Substitute and the prior version of the bill.)
None.
BILL: SB 1394 Page 5
B. Amendments:
None.
This Senate Bill Analysis does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill’s introducer or the Florida Senate.
Statutes affected: S 1394 Filed: 1002.34