High School and College Opportunities
Section 12. Section 1003.429, Florida Statutes, is created to read:
1003.429 Accelerated high school graduation options.—
WARNING IF YOU CHOOSE TO GRADUATE EARLY YOU LOSE YOUR FREE DUAL ENROLLMENT!
(1) Beginning with the 2003-2004 school year, all students scheduled to
graduate in 2004 and thereafter may select one of the following three high
school graduation options:
(a) Completion of the general requirements for high school graduation
pursuant to s. 1003.43;
(b) Completion of a 3-year standard college preparatory program requiring
successful completion of a minimum of 18 academic credits in grades 9
through 12. The 18 credits shall be primary requirements and shall be
distributed as follows:
1. Four credits in English, with major concentration in composition and
literature;
2. Three credits in mathematics at the Algebra I level or higher from the
list of courses that qualify for state university admission;
3. Three credits in natural science, two of which must have a laboratory
component;
4. Three credits in social sciences;
5. Two credits in the same second language unless the student is a native
speaker of or can otherwise demonstrate competency in a language other
than English. If the student demonstrates competency in another language,
the student may replace the language requirement with two credits in other
academic courses; and
6. Three credits in electives; or
(c) Completion of a 3-year career preparatory program requiring successful
completion of a minimum of 18 academic credits in grades 9 through 12.
The 18 credits shall be primary requirements and shall be distributed as
follows:
1. Four credits in English, with major concentration in composition and
literature;
2. Three credits in mathematics, one of which must be Algebra I;
3. Three credits in natural science, two of which must have a laboratory
component;
4. Three credits in social sciences;
5. Two credits in the same second language unless the student is a native
speaker of or can otherwise demonstrate competency in a language other
than English. If the student demonstrates competency in another language,
the student may replace the language requirement with two credits in other
academic courses; and
6. Three credits in electives.
Ch. 2003-391 LAWS OF FLORIDA Ch. 2003-391
(2) Beginning with the 2003-2004 school year, each district school board
shall provide each student in grades 6 through 12 and their parents with the
3-year and 4-year high school graduation options listed in subsection (1)
with curriculum for the students and parents to select the postsecondary
education or career plan that best fits their needs. The options shall include
a timeframe for achieving each graduation option.
(3) Selection of one of the graduation options listed in subsection (1) is
exclusively up to the student and parent. If the student and parent fail to
select a graduation option, the student shall be considered to have selected
the general requirements for high school graduation pursuant to paragraph
(1)(a).
(4) District school boards shall not establish requirements for accelerated
3-year high school graduation options in excess of the requirements in paragraphs
(1)(b) and (1)(c).
(5) Students pursuing accelerated 3-year high school graduation options
pursuant to paragraph (1)(b) or paragraph (1)(c) are required to:
(a) Earn passing scores on the FCAT as defined in s. 1008.22(3)(c).
(b) Achieve a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale, or its
equivalent, in the courses required by the chosen accelerated 3-year high
school graduation option pursuant to paragraph (1)(b) or paragraph (1)(c).
(6) A student who meets all requirements prescribed in subsections (1)
and (5) shall be awarded a standard diploma in a form prescribed by the
State Board of Education.
CREDITS NEEDED TO GRADUATE
