Florida Developmental Education Exemption
Overview
You may be impacted by state legislation regarding Developmental Education which went into effect January 1, 2014.
If you entered a Florida public high school in 2003-2004 or beyond and graduated from a Florida public high school, with a standard diploma; or are active duty military, you may be exempt from placement testing and taking Developmental Education coursework. If interested in learning more about exemptions, please read the information provided here. To see if you are eligible for the exemption or have further questions, please schedule an appointment with your academic advisor as soon as possible. You can find your assigned advisor and their contact information by viewing your Degree Audit in eSantaFe.
Students are not able to register for classes until they choose a Testing Option and Developmental Education Option. While in eSantaFe, students must go to the Advisement Tab and then Dev Ed Options Tab and make a selection in order to proceed. Students that need further assistance are encouraged to schedule an appointment with their academic advisor. Students can schedule an advising appointment with their assigned advisor from the Degree Audit Tab located on eSantaFe under the Advisement Tab.
Academic Resources
Frequently Asked Questions - Updates
Did Senate Bill 1720 replace references to college preparatory instruction?
Yes. Florida statute now refers to college preparatory or remedial instruction as developmental education.
May developmental education be delivered as a prerequisite to college credit coursework?
Yes. All developmental education options must meet one or more of the criteria listed in s. 1008.02, F.S., definitions.
May Florida College System (FCS) institutions charge tuition for developmental education options?
Yes.
Does Senate Bill 1720 apply to English for Academic Purposes programs/courses?
No.
How many developmental education enrollment attempts does a student have before being required to pay the full cost of instruction?
A student may enroll in a developmental education course twice. After the second attempt and starting with the third attempt, a student must pay 100% of the full cost of instruction. However, a student may be granted an exception based on extenuating circumstances.
Is State Board of Education Rule 6A-10.0315, College Preparatory Testing, Placement, and Instruction, still effective?
Yes. The common placement test and approved alternative assessments are authorized in this rule as well as the college ready scores.
Why does State Board of Education Rule 6A-10.0315, College Preparatory Testing, Placement, and Instruction, contain provisions that are contrary or not aligned with provisions in Senate Bill 1720?
The rule was updated in June 2013; however, the revisions were not intended to address the changes that will need to occur based on the passing of Senate Bill 1720. It is anticipated that the rule will be revised again this fall.
Did Senate Bill 1720 remove the limitation of 12 hours of lower division college credit coursework for students who have not completed developmental education requirements?
Yes; however, it is the expectation that students who are required to complete developmental education are completing developmental education as expeditiously as possible.
May a state university contract with a Florida College System institution for developmental education delivery on the state university campus?
Yes.
May a student who earns a high school certificate of completion (withdrawal code: W8A) be admitted to an associate degree program at a Florida College System institution?
Yes, a student who earns a certificate of completion is eligible for admission to an associate degree program at a Florida College System institution pursuant to s. 1003.433, F.S. These students must take a common placement test prior to enrollment.
Are high school students who meet certain scores on specified high school assessments still required to take the common placement test?
Yes.
Are high school students who are required to take the common placement test and do not meet college ready scores still required to enroll in postsecondary preparatory instruction prior to high school graduation?
Yes.
What are the specified dates by which certain activities must be completed per Senate Bill 1720?
- By October 31, 2013, the State Board of Education shall revise Rule 6A-10.0315 to include a provision for common placement testing and developmental education exemption. Additional revisions will be necessary to conform to provisions in Senate Bill 1720. It is anticipated that this rule will be on the September 17, 2013, State Board of Education agenda.
- By December 31, 2013, the State Board of Education shall approve a series of meta-majors and corresponding academic pathways. It is anticipated that this rule will be on the September 17, 2013, State Board of Education agenda.
- The Chancellor of the Florida College System must approve developmental education implementation plans. Statute requires all plans to be submitted for approval no later than March 1, 2014. It is recommended Florida College System institutions submit developmental education implementation plans by January 15, 2014. Plans submitted by January 15, 2014 will be reviewed and approved by March 1, 2014.
- Florida College System institutions must implement developmental education reform efforts no later than fall semester 2014.
- Beginning October 31, 2015, each Florida College System institution shall submit an annual accountability report that includes student success data related to each developmental education strategy implemented.
- By December 31, 2015, and every year thereafter, the Chancellor shall compile and submit the reports to the Governor, Legislature and State Board of Education.
Do all students have to take a common placement test?
No, according to s. 1008.30(4)(a), F.S., Florida standard high school diploma recipients who enter 9th grade in a Florida public school 2003-04 and thereafter and active duty military are not required to take a common placement test.
Who is required to take the common placement test?
All students who do not meet exemption criteria are required to take the common placement test.
Are students who begin 9th grade in a private school or non-Florida school then move to Florida and enter a Florida public school exempt from common placement testing and developmental education?
No.
Are all students eligible for the exemption from common placement testing and developmental education?
No, only those students who meet the exemption criteria in s.1008.30(4)(a), F.S., are exempted from common placement testing and developmental education.
Are students who earn a GED® exempted from common placement testing and developmental education?
No. A student with a high school equivalency diploma or GED® is not exempted from common placement testing and developmental education, if necessary.
Are prospective dual enrollment students exempted from taking the common placement test?
No.
Are home education students exempted from common placement testing and developmental education?
No.
Are Florida private high school students eligible for the exemption?
No.
Are veterans of the armed services exempt from common placement testing and developmental education?
Yes and no.
- Yes, veterans who meet the exemption criteria in s. 1008.30(4)(a), F.S., are exempted from common placement testing and developmental education.
- No, veterans who do not meet the exemption criteria in s. 1008.30(4)(a), F.S., are not exempted from common placement testing and developmental education, if necessary.
For students who meet the common placement testing and developmental education exemption criteria in s. 1008.30(4)(a), F.S.:
- Does the exemption apply to new, first-time-in-college students?
Yes. - Does the exemption apply to transfer students?
Yes. - Does the exemption apply to currently enrolled students?
Yes. - Does the exemption apply to currently enrolled students who have begun but not yet
completed developmental education requirements?
Yes.
May a student who meets the exemption criteria in s. 1008.30(4)(a), F.S., choose to take the common placement test?
Yes.
When does the common placement testing and developmental education exemption become effective?
The State Board of Education is required to establish the exemption in rule by October 31, 2013; therefore, students who meet the specified criteria in s. 1008.30(4)(a), F.S., will be eligible to opt for the exemption from common placement testing and/or developmental education starting with the rule effective date or no later than spring semester of the 2013-14 academic year.
Must a FCS institution administer the common placement test to an exempted student who chooses to take it?
Yes, an exempted student who chooses to take the common placement test should be provided an opportunity to do so.
Do students who meet the exemption criteria in s. 1008.30(4)(a), F.S., and opt to take the common placement test but do not meet or exceed college ready scores have to enroll or participate in supplemental instruction or tutoring?
No.
For a student who meets the exemption criteria in s. 1008.30(4)(a), F.S., opts to take the common placement test and does not meet or exceed college ready scores, may a FCS institution encourage and advise enrollment in supplemental instruction or participation in tutoring?
Yes.
May a FCS institution require a student, who meets the exemption criteria in s. 1008.30(4)(a), F.S., and decides not to take the common placement test after being advised to do so, to sign (physically or electronically) an affidavit indicating they were advised of their options?
Yes, provided the requirement is written in the FCS institution's approved developmental education implementation plan.
Do students who are exempted from common placement testing have to enroll in developmental education?
No, students who are exempted from common placement testing are also exempted from developmental education.
If a student who meets the exemption criteria in s. 1008.30(4)(a), F.S., chooses to take the common placement test and scores below college ready, must that student enroll in developmental education?
No. Exempted students may choose to enroll directly in college credit coursework regardless of test scores.
If a student who meets the exemption criteria in s. 1008.30(4)(a), F.S., chooses to take the common placement test and scores below college ready, may a FCS institution require that student enroll in developmental education?
No.
Must a FCS institution provide a student who meets the exemption criteria in s. 1008.30(4)(a), F.S., an opportunity to enroll in developmental education?
Yes, a student who meets the exemption criteria in s. 1008.30(4)(a), F.S., and who chooses to enroll in developmental education should be provided an opportunity to do so.
If a student meets the exemption criteria in s. 1008.30(4)(a), F.S., enrolls in but is not successful in a gatekeeper course, may a FCS institution require the student to enroll in developmental education before their second attempt in the gatekeeper course?
No.
If a student meets the exemption criteria in s. 1008.30(4)(a), F.S., enrolls in but is not successful in a gatekeeper course, may the student opt to enroll in developmental education before their second attempt in the gatekeeper course?
Yes. If the FCS institution has a policy to allow students to "go back" to a prerequisite course after an unsuccessful attempt in the subsequent course, then the policy may apply to exempted students.
To whom must a Florida College System institution provide admission counseling?
A Florida College System institution must provide admission counseling to all entering, first-time-in-college students. For students who are not exempted from the common placement test, scores shall be used to counsel students regarding developmental education options, should scores indicate a need pursuant to State Board of Education Rule 6A-10.0315.
Florida College System institutions shall have policies regarding notification to students about developmental education options. Students shall also be notified about tutoring, extended time in gateway courses, free online courses, adult secondary education, adult basic education, or private provider instruction
Are students who are required to take the common placement test required to enroll in developmental education if they do not meet or exceed college ready scores?
Yes, students who are required to test and do not meet or exceed college ready scores are required to enroll in developmental education. A FCS institution must offer the student a minimum of two developmental education options identified in s. 1008.02(1)(a-d), F.S., and the student must select an option.
If a FCS institution incorporates the use of additional data for placement purposes into its approved developmental education plan, then direct enrollment in a gateway course may be considered one of the student's options, if the student meets the eligibility requirements outlined in the plan.
May FCS institutions continue to deliver traditional developmental education courses for 3 developmental credits?
No. There is no explicit prohibition against offering 3 developmental credit courses; however, all developmental education offerings must meet at least one of the strategies identified in the developmental education definition in s. 1008.02, F.S. (i.e., modularized, compressed, contextualized or co-requisite).
Developmental education coursework should employ instructional strategies that are individualized to the student's specific skill deficiencies with the intent of expediting the student's transition to gateway courses.
Prior to the passing of Senate Bill 1720, did Florida College institutions have the authority to deliver developmental education in a modularized, compressed or contextualized format?
Yes.
Prior to the passing of Senate Bill 1720, did Florida College System institutions have the authority to deliver developmental education in a co-requisite format?
No. Provisions included in Senate Bill 1720 allow Florida College System institutions to deliver co-requisite developmental education that is taught concurrently with a gateway course. Florida College System institution developmental education implementation plans should indicate the procedures for student placement into co-requisite developmental education.
May a FCS institution submit its developmental education implementation plan pursuant to s. 1008.30(6)(a), F.S., or a portion of its plan early?
Yes, FCS institutions interested in submitting early for approval to begin implementation in fall 2013, please contact Julie Alexander at alexander@fldoe.org by July 31, 2013.
When are developmental education implementation plans due to the Division of Florida Colleges?
FCS institutions are recommended to submit a developmental education plan by January 15, 2014, for Chancellor's approval by March 1, 2014. Once approved, FCS institutions will have the remainder of the spring and the summer terms to prepare for fall 2014 implementation. Early submissions are encouraged and will be reviewed immediately following submission.
Will a format be specified for the FCS institution developmental education implementation plans that are due by January 15, 2014?
Yes. The Division of Florida Colleges is planning a July 10 workshop with FCS institution representatives to develop a developmental education implementation plan template for review and feedback by all 28 FCS institutions. It is anticipated the template will be distributed then discussed at a Developmental Education Summit to be held in September or October 2013.
Is the legislative intent to allow every first-time-in-college student to choose a meta-major?
Yes.
May a FCS institution require a student who meets the exemption criteria in s. 1008.30(4)(a), F.S., to take a common placement test?
No.
Are there students whose common placement test results shall be used by a FCS institution?
Yes. Common placement test results shall be used for students who do not meet the exemption criteria in s. 1008.30(4)(a), F.S., for the purposes of counseling the student into college credit courses as quickly and effectively as possible.