6749180, 6A-6.0900 - Florida Administrative Rules, Law, Code, Register

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Florida Department of State and Division of Library and Information Services

Notice: 6749180

Notice of Proposed Rule

Department:

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Division:

State Board of Education

Chapter:

SPECIAL PROGRAMS I

Overview

RULE:

6A-6.0900	Programs for English Language Leaners (Repealed)
6A-6.0901	Definitions Which Apply to Programs for English Language Learners
6A-6.0904	Equal Access to Appropriate Instruction for English Language Learners
6A-6.0905	Requirements for the District English Language Learners Plan
6A-6.0906	Monitoring of Programs for English Language Learners
6A-6.0907	Inservice Requirements for Personnel of Limited English Proficient Students
6A-6.0908	Equal Access for English Language Learners to Programs Other Than English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
6A-6.0909	Exemptions Provided to English Language Learners
6A-6.09091	Accommodations of the Statewide Assessment Program Instruments and Procedures for English Language Learners

PURPOSE:

The proposed modifications update terminology to reflect current practice in the field and update statutory references; modifies and/or creates inservice requirements for school personnel providing services to students enrolled in the ESOL program; incorporates newly revised template for District English Language Learners Plans; modifies exemptions to statewide assessments for newly arrived English Language Learners; and establishes competencies for ESOL endorsement. The effect is rules which are consistent with current practices.

SUMMARY:

References to “limited English proficient students” are changed to “English Language Learners” throughout rules relating to ESOL programs. Other substantive changes include the following:
Rule 6A-6.0900 – adds three rules to the list of rules applicable to ESOL programs; reference to “ESOL/Home language programming” is changed to “ESOL/Home language instruction;” and reference to “categorical programming” is changed to “categorical programs and services.”
Rule 6A-6.0901 – definition of “English Language Learner” or “Limited English Proficient Student” is changed to conform with statutory definition; references to “individual” or “persons” are changed to “student” or “students,” where applicable.
Rule 6A-6.0904 – References to “programming” are changed to “instructional services;” where the Commissioner of Education was previously required to develop and identify standards for ESOL programs, the rule is amended to require the Commissioner to implement the standards. Examples of types of permissible ESOL instruction are deleted; references to “state curriculum frameworks and student performance standards” are updated to specify “Sunshine State Standards and English Language Proficiency Standards.”
Rule 6A-6.0905 – Adopts a new template for District English Language Learners Plans, replacing the old format, but maintaining prior substantive requirements. Clarifies that the Department of Education must consider Parent Leadership Council’s objections to district plans in the Department’s review of the plans.
Rule 6A-6.0906 – Updates or corrects rule and statutory citations. Eliminates references to statutes or programs no longer in existence. Deletes expired requirements relating to the state data system that occurred in 1991 and 1992.
Rule 6A-6.0907 – Deletes transition or grandfathering provisions relating to ESOL inservice training that no longer apply; specifies that certain inservice requirements do not apply to reading teachers; adopts existing requirement that a teacher obtaining ESOL certification through a subject area examination must obtain 120 hours of inservice in ESOL within 3 years and providing that reading certified teachers who pass the ESOL subject area examination have met the inservice requirement; adopts existing requirement that school guidance counselors and school administrators must complete 60 hours of inservice training in ESOL; provides for use of ESOL inservice training as credit towards certificate renewal requirements.
Rule 6A-6.0909 – modifies existing rules to allow only students who have been enrolled in school in the United States for less than twelve months to be exempted from statewide assessment in reading, and specifies that such students must take the annual English language proficiency assessment; deletes provisions for alternative assessments; clarifies that students who are exempted may count against a school’s participation rate in various accountability reports.
Rule 6A-6.09091 – deletes outdated reference to “High School Competency Test”

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY:

1001.02(1), 1008.22, 1012.55, 1012.56, 1012.575, 1003.56 FS.

LAW:

1003.56, 1008.22, 1012.55, 1012.56, 1012.575 FS.

PRINT PUBLISH DATE:

2/6/2009 Vol. 35/05

COMMENTS:

From 2/6/2009 To 2/27/2009 (21 Days)
The public comment period for this notice has already expired.

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

No reference(s).

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