6A-14.092: Textbook Affordability
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of the rule is to implement Section 1004.085, Florida Statutes, relating to textbook affordability and to delineate the Department and institutions’ responsibilities as required by the legislation.
SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: This rule will delineate implementation requirements for institutions within the Florida College System as required by Section 1004.085, Florida Statutes, which addresses the concern of textbook affordability in postsecondary education. The rule will also require the Department and institutions within the Florida College System to form a textbook affordability workgroup that will submit a report to the State Board of Education by December 1, 2009 with recommendations for providing textbooks to students otherwise unable to afford them.
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: 1004.085(3), (4) FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 1004.085 FS.
IF REQUESTED IN WRITING AND NOT DEEMED UNNECESSARY BY THE AGENCY HEAD, A RULE DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP WILL BE NOTICED IN THE NEXT AVAILABLE FLORIDA ADMINISTRATIVE WEEKLY.
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT AND A COPY OF THE PRELIMINARY DRAFT, IF AVAILABLE, IS: Julie Alexander, Division of Community Colleges, (850)245-9523 or Email: julie.alexander@fldoe.org
To request a rule development workshop contact: Lynn Abbott, Office of the Agency Clerk, Department of Education, (850)245-9661 or email lynn.abbott@fldoe.org
THE PRELIMINARY TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT IS:
6A-14.092 Textbook Affordability.
Pursuant to Section 1004.085, Florida Statutes, institutions within the Florida College System shall:
(1) Adopt textbooks no later than 45 days prior to the first day of classes to allow sufficient lead time to bookstores to work with publishers so as to confirm availability of the requested materials and to ensure maximum availability of used books. Where courses are added after this 45 day deadline, textbooks for such courses shall be adopted as soon as is feasible to ensure sufficient lead time.
(2) Pursuant to Section 1004.085(3), Florida Statutes, for those classes added after the 30 day notification deadline, institutions shall post textbook information on their websites immediately as such information becomes available.
(3) Collect and maintain, before textbook adoption is finalized, written or electronically transmitted certifications from course instructors attesting:
(a) That all textbooks and other instructional items ordered will be used, particularly each individual item sold as part of a bundled package, and
(b) The extent to which a new edition differs significantly and substantively from earlier versions, and the value of changing to a new edition.
(4) Provide assistance as requested by the statewide textbook affordability workgroup established by the Department of Education to recommend policies and strategies that address the availability of required textbooks to students otherwise unable to afford the cost. The workgroup shall consist of nine representatives from institutions within the Florida College System chosen based on variable student enrollment (small and large student populations), geographic location (north, central and south) and economic status of student body (high population receiving need-based financial aid). A report shall be submitted by the workgroup to the State Board of Education by December 1, 2009 that identifies the policies.
Specific Authority 1004.085(3), (4) FS. Law Implemented 1004.085 FS. History–New________.