Title: High School Equivalency Diploma Program

Summary: Provides for award of high school equivalency diploma to students who meet specified criteria relating to high school graduation requirements.

Full Text:
An act relating to the high school equivalency diploma program; amending s. 1003.435, F.S.; providing for the award of a high school equivalency diploma to students who meet specified criteria relating to high school graduation requirements; conforming provisions to changes made by the act; providing an effective date. Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: Section 1. Section 1003.435, Flo rida Statutes, is amended to read: 1003.435 High school equivalency diploma program.-(1) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules that prescribe performance standards and provide for comprehensive examinations to be administered to candidates fo rhigh school equivalency diplomas. Such rules shall include, but are not limited to, provisions for fees, frequency of examinations, and procedures for retaking an examination upon unsatisfactory performance. (2) The department may award high school equ ivalency diplomas to candidates who meet the performance standards prescribed by the State Board of Education through the high school equivalency diploma examinations and the subject area examinations or, for those candidates who failed to pass the HB 2019 assessments required under s. 1008.22(3), through: (a) Earning the credits required under s. 1003.4282, or the required credits under s. 1002.3105(5), for a standard high school diploma and achieving a 2.5 GPA while enrolled in high school; or (b) Earni ng the credits required under s. 1003.4282, or the required credits under s. 1002.3105(5), achieving a 2.0 GPA, and earning an industry certification while enrolled in high school.(3) Each district school board shall 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. (4) A candidate for a high school equivalency diploma shall be at least years of age on the date of the exam ination or, for those candidates seeking a diploma under paragraph (2)(a) or paragraph (2)(b), years of age,except that in extraordinary circumstances, as provided for in rules of the district school board of the district in which the candidate resides or attends school, a candidate may take the examination after reaching the age of 16. (5) Each district school board shall develop, in cooperation with the area Florida College System institution board of trustees, a plan for the provision of advanced instruction for those students who meet the requirements of HB 2019 paragraph (2)(a) or paragraph (2)(b), attain satisfactory performance on the high school equivalency examination or the subject area examinations,or who demonstrate through other means a readiness to engage in postsecondary-level academic work. The plan shall include provisions for the equitable distribution of generated funds to cover personnel, maintenance, and other costs of offering the advanced instruction. Priority shall be given to programs of advanced instruction offered in high school facilities. (6) All high school equivalency diplomas issued under the provisions of this section shall have equal status with other high school diplomas for all state purposes, including admission to any sta te university or Florida College System institution. Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2019.