1. (1) Definitions. For the purposes of this rule and forms incorporated herein, the following definitions shall be used.

   1. (a) “Department” means the Florida Department of Education.
   2. (b) “Developmental education” means instruction that prepares students for college level reading, writing, and mathematics coursework.
   3. (c) “Division” means the Division of Florida Colleges.
   4. (d) “Institution” means a Florida College System institution or a school district career center approved as a site-determined associate in applied science and associate in science degree granting institution in accordance with Section 1007.331, F.S.

2. (2) Purpose. The purpose of this rule is to establish methods for assessing communication and computation skills and the minimum standards a student must achieve to demonstrate readiness to perform college-level work pursuant to Section 1008.30, F.S. A student admitted to an institution who is assessed for readiness for college-level computation and communication under paragraph (2)(a) or (2)(b) and whose assessment results indicate a need for developmental education must be advised of all the developmental education options offered at the institution and, after advisement, shall be allowed to enroll in the developmental education option of his or her choice.

   1. (a) Exempt students. Further in accordance with Section 1008.30, F.S., a student who entered 9th grade in a Florida public school in the 2003-2004 school year, or any year thereafter, and earned a Florida standard high school diploma or a student who is serving as an active duty member of any branch of the United States Armed Services shall not be required to be assessed for readiness for college-level work in communication and computation and shall be considered exempt. Exempt students shall not be required to enroll in developmental education instruction. However, an exempt student may opt to be assessed and to enroll in developmental education, and the instruction shall provide such assessment and courses upon the student’s request.
   2. (b) Non-exempt students. Non-exempt students who have not earned credit for college-level coursework for reading, writing, and mathematics shall be assessed for readiness for college-level work prior to the completion of initial registration. Non-exempt students whose assessment results indicate a need for developmental education shall enroll in developmental education in the area of the deficiency.
3. (3) Common placement tests. Exempt and non-exempt students meeting or exceeding standard scores on any of the following tests, using the highest score in the case of multiple scores, may be enrolled in college-level courses. Institutions shall accept scores on the public high school transcript as an official record of scores in addition to official score reports from the issuing entity listed in this subsection. A student who demonstrates readiness by achieving or exceeding standard test scores established herein and enrolls in an institution within two (2) years after achieving such scores shall not be required to retest or complete developmental education.

1. (4) Alternative methods to common placement tests. Pursuant to Section 1008.30, F.S., institutions may use alternative methods in lieu of the common placement tests under subsection (3) to assess student readiness for college-level work in communication and computation. Institutions shall recognize scores and grades on alternative methods specified in paragraphs (4)(a) through (4)(c) as valid for placement purposes for a minimum of two years.

   1. (a) Tests and assessments. A score that meets or exceeds the standard score on any one of the assessments shall be accepted as demonstration of readiness for college-level work. Institutions shall accept scores on the public high school transcript in addition to official score reports from the issuing entity listed in this subsection as an official record.

1. (b) Performance in high school coursework. Any student who has an unweighted high school GPA of 3.0 and achieves a grade of “B” or better in any of the courses listed below shall have demonstrated readiness for college-level work. Institutions shall accept courses and grades on the public high school transcript as an official record.

   1. Courses Taught at a Florida Public High School

2. Accelerated High School Courses

1. (c) Credit-by-examination. Students achieving passing scores and receiving credit for college-level communication or computation pursuant to the credit-by-examination equivalency list in Rule 6A-10.024, F.A.C., shall have previously demonstrated readiness for college-level coursework.

2. (d) Local placement methods for developmental education (Florida College System institutions only). To use a local placement method, a Florida College System institution must first receive approval of that method by the Department. Approval is based on a satisfactory demonstration that the method is a valid and reliable indication of a student’s readiness for college-level coursework in the subject area addressed in the method. The process for receiving approval is as follows.

   1. A Florida College System institution seeking consideration of approval must complete and submit the Application to Use Local Method to Determine College Readiness for Developmental Education, Form No. ALTPLACE-01 ( HYPERLINK "http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-14065" http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-14065) which is hereby incorporated by reference in this rule effective March 2022. A copy of the form may be found at https://www.fldoe.org/schools/higher-ed/fl-college-system/academic-student-affairs/ or by writing to the Division at 325 West Gaines Street, Suite 1244, Tallahassee, Florida 32399.

   2. Florida College System institutions must complete Form No. ALTPLACE-01 for each local placement method requested. Evidence must include information on the method’s availability and accessibility and supporting documentation containing quantitative and/or qualitative data to demonstrate the validity and reliability of the local placement method. The documentation must be recent, which is defined as within the last three to five years, and must demonstrate why the method and the minimum standard identified by the college for the method represent an accurate measure of college readiness comparable to other alternative assessments and standards identified in this rule.

   3. Florida College System institutions must submit Form No. ALTPLACE-01 the term preceding the term in which the local placement method becomes effective: spring for a summer effective date, summer for a fall effective date, and fall for a spring effective date. The Division will publish the specific deadlines at https://www.fldoe.org/schools/higher-ed/fl-college-system/academic-student-affairs/. Form No. ALTPLACE-01 and supporting documentation must be submitted via email to FCSInfo@fldoe.org.

   4. The Division will provide the institution with a written decision upon review of a complete submission.

   a. “Full approval” indicates the application and supporting documentation were sufficient in demonstrating the local placement method is a valid and reliable placement tool; the Florida College System institution is fully approved to use the local placement method for developmental education placement.

   b. “Provisional approval” indicates the application and supporting documentation demonstrated the local placement method may be a valid and reliable placement tool, but up-front information is limited. The provisionally approved Florida College System institution has approval to use the local placement method for a period of three terms, during which time the institution will be required to collect data on the efficacy of the method. At the conclusion of the provisional period, the Florida College System institution will be required to resubmit their application and supporting documentation to the Division for consideration.

   c. “Denial” indicates the application and supporting documentation did not demonstrate the local placement method may be a valid and reliable placement tool. If the application is denied, the Florida College System institution will receive written notification identifying the specific areas of deficiency and may resubmit its application at a later date once any outstanding issues are resolved.

   5. Florida College System institutions receiving approval must participate in an annual data collection process to monitor usage of local methods and student performance in coursework.

3. (5) Student records and test scores are confidential education records under Section 1002.221, F.S. Institutions are required to comply with Section 1002.221, F.S., in maintaining confidentiality of these records.
4. (6) Institutions may establish local policies and procedures governing the use of assessments and alternative methods for placement.

Rulemaking Authority 1001.02(6), 1008.30(1), (2) FS. Law Implemented 1001.02, 1007.263, 1007.271, 1008.02, 1008.30 FS. History–New 7-15-84, Amended 6-6-85, Formerly 6A-10.315, Amended 5-17-88, 7-25-91, 10-18-94, 8-28-95, 6-25-96, 3-28-00, 2-12-12, 8-21-12, 6-27-13, 10-22-13, 11-29-16, 9-24-19, 3-15-22, 8-16-22, 6-27-23, 8-22-23, 7-8-25.