RULE NO: RULE TITLE
6A-14.030: Instruction and Awards in Community Colleges
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of the rule amendment is to define and formalize the Certificate of Professional Preparation as the appropriate credential for Educator Preparation Institute (EPI) program completers. Also to adopt the Florida Community College System Program Length Document as updated. The effect is a rule which incorporates the new credential for Educator Preparation Institute.
SUMMARY: Section 1004.85(3)(c), Florida Statutes, requires that a credential be provided to Educator Preparation Institute participants who successfully complete their programs of study. There is currently no existing credential or certificate that may be issued to baccalaureate degree holders who are preparing for a professional license such as the Florida Professional Teaching Certificate. The proposed amendment would define and formalize this process.
SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS: No Statement of Estimated Regulatory Cost was prepared.
Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: 1001.02(9)(c), (d), 1001.02(1), 1001.03(12), 1004.02 FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 1001.03(12), 1004.93, 1004.91 FS.
A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:
DATE AND TIME: May 15, 2007, 1:00 p.m.
PLACE: Orlando World Center Marriott, 8701 World Center Drive, Orlando, Florida
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Ian Neuhard, Director of Academic Programs, Division of Community Colleges, Department of Education, 325 West Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida, (850)245-9468

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

6A-14.030 Instruction and Awards in Community Colleges.

Community colleges are authorized to provide instruction and to confer degrees, certificates, and diplomas only as prescribed herein. Any degree program, certificate, or diploma program offered at a community college shall be offered at the established standard credit hour length. Revisions to the standard credit hour lengths and the lengths of new programs added to the Statewide Program Inventory list must be approved by the Division of Community Colleges.

(2) Associate in science degree. Each community college is authorized to provide programs of instruction consisting of college-level courses to prepare for entry into employment. The courses shall be based in theory and of sufficient complexity, rigor, and theory to be college level. The courses shall be classified in the Community College Management Information System as advanced and professional courses or postsecondary vocational courses. ~~The programs shall not include courses classified as postsecondary adult vocational courses.~~ Satisfactory completion of courses within the programs shall be recognized by the award of units of measure called college credit. ~~Effective with the Fall Term 2000,~~ Tthe associate in science degree shall be awarded upon satisfactory completion of a planned program of study comprised of the standard credit hour length established, including demonstration of the attainment of predetermined and specified performance requirements, and subject to law and rule. Courses not accepted in the State University System shall not be included in the general education core required for the degree. Associate in science degrees that articulate with baccalaureate degrees under the provisions of paragraph 6A-10.024(6)(c), F.A.C., shall meet the specific provisions contained therein. The standard credit hour length of all associate in science degree programs shall be kept according to the Department of Education publication 2006-2007 Community College Programs with Standard Program Length which is hereby ~~“Florida Community College System Program Length Document: 2003”~~ incorporated herein by reference to become effective with the effective date of this rule. Copies may be obtained through the Division of Community Colleges, Department of Education, 325 West Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400.

(3) Associate in Applied Science Degree. Each community college is authorized to provide programs of instruction consisting of college-level courses to prepare for entry into employment. The courses shall be based in theory and be of sufficient complexity, rigor, and theory to be college level. The courses shall be classified in the Community College Management Information System as advanced and professional courses or postsecondary vocational courses. ~~The programs shall not include courses classified as postsecondary adult vocational courses.~~ Satisfactory completion of courses within the programs shall be recognized by the award of units of measure called college credit. ~~Effective with the Fall Term 2000,~~ Tthe associate in applied science degree shall be awarded upon satisfactory completion of a planned program of study comprised of the standard credit hour length established, including demonstration of the attainment of predetermined and specified performance requirements, and subject to law and rule. The standard credit hour length of all associate in applied science degree programs shall be kept according to the Department of Education publication 2006-2007 Community College Programs with Standard Program Length. “Florida Community College System Program Length Document: 2003” incorporated herein by reference. Copies may be obtained through the Division of Community Colleges, Department of Education, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400.

(4) through (6) No change.

(7) Certificate of Professional Preparation. Community colleges may provide college level professional instruction, consisting of not less than nine (9) and not more than thirty (30) credit hours of courses and course equivalent modules, to prepare baccalaureate degree holders for licensure, certification, credentialing, examinations, or other demonstrations of competency necessary for entry into professional occupations. Satisfactory completion of these courses and modules shall be recognized by the award of units of measure called institutional credit. Institutional credit is postsecondary credit that is competency-based and has been assigned an instructional level of zero. Institutional credit is not intended for transfer outside of the Florida Community College System. Upon satisfactory completion of a planned program that has been approved by the Department of Education, including the demonstration of competencies and the attainment of predetermined and specific performance requirements, and subject to law and rule, the certificate of professional preparation shall be awarded. If a community college is authorized to award a baccalaureate degree in the subject area of the certificate of professional preparation, then the college may award upper division college credit for such instruction in lieu of institutional credit.

(7) through (13) renumbered (8) through (14) No change.

Specific Authority 1001.02(1), (9)(c), (d), 1001.03(12), 1004.02 FS. Law Implemented 1001.03(12), 1004.91, 1004.93 FS. History– Formerly 6A-8.50, Repromulgated 12-19-74, Amended 8-27-84, 8-29-85, Formerly 6A-14.30, Amended 5-14-91, 11-10-92, 5-2-95, 2-13-96, 12-30-99, 5-3-01, 7-20-04,________.