This docum ent does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill sponsor or House of Representatives.
STORAGE NAME: h0459a.PEW
DATE: 3/22/2023
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES STAFF ANALYSIS
BILL #: HB 459 Education
SPONSOR(S): Giallombardo and others
TIED BILLS: None IDEN./SIM. BILLS: SB 1654
REFERENCE ACTION ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR or
BUDGET/POLICY CHIEF
1) Postsecondary Education & Workforce
Subcommittee
13 Y, 0 N McDaniel Kiner
2) Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee
3) Education & Employment Committee
SUMMARY ANALYSIS
Computer science, including computer coding and programming, is defined by Florida law as "the study of
computers and algorithmic processes, including their principles, hardware and software designs, applications,
and societal impact." Problem solving, such as computational thinking, understanding and recognizing
patterns, understanding and implementing sequencing, and understanding representation, or how computers
represent data, are all foundational skills for computer science learning.
At the secondary level, all Florida College System (FCS) institutions and state university systems (SUS)
require two credits of sequential foreign language instruction. A student must complete two consecutive years
of a foreign language course in order to be eligible for the Florida Bright Futures Program.
The bill requires high schools to provide computer science courses with enough rigor that two credits in such
courses and attainment of a related industry certification or technical certificate are equivalent to two credits of
sequential foreign language instruction. The bill requires FCS and SUS institutions to recognize these credits
as foreign language credits. The Commissioner's designated computer science courses, as well as computer
science courses taken toward earning the relevant industry certification or technical certificate, must be
included in the Course Code Directory.
The bill requires the Department of Education to include in the Bright Futures advertisement notification sent to
students, teachers, school leaders, parents, and certified school counselors a list of approved apprenticeship
programs, eligible postsecondary educational institutions, high-demand jobs and critical skill sets in the state,
and a wage breakdown of jobs in the state. Beginning with the student's first year of high school, this
notification must be sent.
The bill makes specific industry and career certificate pathway options, as well as designated apprenticeship
programs, eligible for a Florida Bright Futures student award in the 2023-24 academic year and thereafter.
The bill contains clarifying language that converts semester credit hours to equivalent clock hours for award
eligibility purposes. In addition, the bill provides retroactive authority for students to combine volunteer service
and paid work to meet the volunteer service or paid work requirement. Eligible paid work completed on or after
June 27, 2022 must be counted toward a student's total required paid work hours.
The bill has an indeterminate fiscal impact. See Fiscal Comments.
The bill has an effective date of July 1, 2023.
STORAGE NAME: h0459a.PEW PAGE: 2
DATE: 3/22/2023
FULL ANALYSIS
I. SUBSTANTIVE ANALYSIS
A. EFFECT OF PROPOSED CHANGES:
Present Situation
Computer Science Courses and Instruction
Florida law defines computer science as “the study of computers and algorithmic processes, including
their principles, hardware and software designs, applications, and their impact on society.”
1
Computer
science also includes computer coding and computer programming.
Foundational skills for computer science learning include problem solving, such as computational
thinking, understanding and recognizing patterns, understanding and implementing sequencing, and
understanding representation, meaning how computers represent data.
2
One application of these skills
is computational thinking, which refers to the thought processes involved in expressing solutions as
computational steps or algorithms that can be carried out by a computer.
3
Essentially, it is a problem-
solving process that designs solutions that capitalize on the power of computers.
4
Although typically
associated with computer science, computational thinking can be applied in the classroom setting
through lessons in core subject areas. For example, in English language arts, students may be asked
to analyze simple sentences and determine a framework for generating similar sentences, using
pattern recognition and problem solving skills.
5
Public schools are required to provide students in grades K-12 opportunities for learning computer
science including computer coding and computer programming.
6
Such opportunities may include:
7
instruction on computer coding in elementary and middle school;
instruction to develop computer usage and digital literacy skills in middle school; and
courses in computer science, computer coding, and computer programming in high school,
including opportunities to earn industry certifications related to the courses.
Computer science courses must be offered to students in high school and middle school.
8
The Florida
Virtual School (FLVS) must offer computer science courses identified in the Course Code Directory. If a
school district does not offer an identified course, the district must provide students access to the
course through FLVS or through other means.
9
There are 70 middle and high school computer science
courses currently identified in the Course Code Directory.
10
1
Section 1007.2616(1), F.S.
2
K-12 Computer Instruction Framework Steering Committee, K-12 Computer Instructional Framework, pgs. 183-198, available at
https://k12cs.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/K%E2%80%9312-Computer-Science-Framework.pdf (last visited Feb. 24, 2023).
3
Id. at 86.
4
Id.
5
Code.org, Computational Thinking Lesson Assessment, available at https://code.org/curriculum/course3/1/Assessment1-
CompThinking.pdf (last visited Feb. 1, 2023). If provided the following sentences: “The triangle has three sides.” and “The square has
four sides.” A student can determine a framework sentence of “The ____ has ____ sides.” This framework provides the student a basis
for describing additional shapes. Id.
6
Section 1007.2616(2)(a), F.S.
7
Id.
8
Id.
9
Section 1007.2616(3), F.S.
10
Florida Department of Education, Florida Course Code Directory Computer Science Course Information 2022-2023 (2023),
available at https://www.fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/7746/urlt/2223CompSci.pdf (last visited Feb. 24, 2023). STORAGE NAME: h0459a.PEW PAGE: 3
DATE: 3/22/2023
Foreign Language Requirement
All Florida College System (FCS) institutions and state universities require two credits of sequential
foreign language instruction at the secondary level.
11
A student whose first language is not English is
exempt from this requirement if he or she demonstrates proficiency in his or her native language. The
foreign language requirement can be satisfied with two credits of American Sign Language.
12
The Board of Governors (BOG) of the State University System oversees the performance of state
university boards of trustees in the enforcement of laws, rules, and regulations.
13
The BOG provides
that a limited number of first-time-in-college, degree-seeking students who do not meet the foreign
language requirement may be admitted; however, these students must complete the foreign language
requirement prior to receiving their baccalaureate degree.
14
Effect of Proposed Changes
Under the bill, high schools are required to offer computer science courses with sufficient rigor, such
that two credits in such courses and the attainment of a related industry certification or technical
certificate are equivalent to two credits of sequential foreign language instruction.
The bill specifies that FCS and SUS institutions must recognize the credits as foreign language credits.
The Course Code Directory must include computer science courses designated by the commissioner
and computer science courses taken to earn the relevant industry certification or technical certificate.
Present Situation
Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program
In 1997,
15
the Florida Legislature created the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program (Bright
Futures Program), a lottery-funded scholarship program, to reward any Florida high school graduate
who merits recognition of high academic achievement and who enrolls in a degree program, certificate
program, or applied technology program at an eligible Florida public or private postsecondary education
institution.
16
The Bright Futures Program consists of the following awards:
Florida Academic Scholarship (FAS);
Florida Medallion Scholarship (FMS);
Florida Gold Seal Career and Professional Education (CAPE) Scholarship; and
Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholarship(FGSV).
17
Florida Academic Scholarship and Florida Medallion Scholarship
A Florida high school student who wishes to qualify for the Florida Academic Scholar (FAS) award or
the Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS) award must graduate from a Florida public high school with a
standard high school diploma, graduate from a registered Florida Department of Education (DOE)
private high school, earn a general education diploma (GED), complete a home education program, or
graduate from a non-Florida high school as an eligible student.
18
11
Section 1007.262, F.S., and BOG Regulation 6.002(1)(h).
12
Id.
13
Section 1008.322(1), F.S.
14
Board of Governor’s Regulation 6.002(1)(h)
15
Chapter 97-379, L.O.F.
16
Section 1009.53(1), F.S.
17
Section 1009.53(2), F.S.
18
2022-23 Bright Futures Student Handbook, Chapter 1: Initial Eligibility Requirements (Oct. 2022), at 2, available at
https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/PDF/BFHandbookChapter1.pdf. An out-of-state student may qualify for a Bright Futures
Scholarship if the student earned a high school diploma from a non-Florida school while living with a parent or guardian who is a
Florida resident and on military or public service assignment away from Florida during the student’s last year of high school. Florida STORAGE NAME: h0459a.PEW PAGE: 4
DATE: 3/22/2023
A student must also meet the following initial eligibility requirements:
19
Scholarship
Type
16 High School Course
Credits
20
High School
Weighted
Bright Futures
GPA
College
Entrance
Exams
(ACT/SAT)
21
Volunteer
Service
22
Service
Hours
23
FAS
24
4 - English
(three must include substantial
writing)
4 - Mathematics
(at or above the Algebra I level)
3 - Natural Science
(two must have substantial
laboratory)
3 - Social Science
2 - World Language
(sequential, in same language)
3.50
2022-23
Graduates
29/1330
2023-24
Graduates
29/1340
100 hours
100
hours
FMS
25
3.00
2022-23
Graduates
25/1210
2023-24
Graduates
25/1210
75 hours 75 hours
A student who has demonstrated academic merit through a recognition program may be eligible for an
FAS or FMS award without having to meet one or more of the requirements identified in the table
above. These merit recognition programs include:
26
National Merit Finalists and Scholars;
National Hispanic Scholars;
Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) Diploma;
International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma;
AICE Curriculum; and
IB Curriculum.
An FAS award recipient is eligible for an award equal to the amount necessary to pay 100 percent of
tuition and applicable fees and an additional stipend for textbooks as specified in the General
Appropriations Act (GAA).
27
An FMS award recipient is eligible for an award equal to the amount
necessary to pay 75 percent of tuition and fees,
28
however, an eligible FMS recipient enrolled at a
Florida College System (FCS) institution is eligible for an award amount equal to the amount necessary
to pay 100 percent of tuition and fees.
29
Department of Education, Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program and the Out-Of-State Student (2022-23), at 2, available at
https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/PDF/BFOOSGuide.pdf.
19
2022-23 Bright Futures Student Handbook, Chapter 1: Initial Eligibility Requirements (Oct., 2022), at 2, available at
https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/PDF/BFHandbookChapter1.pdf.
20
The required coursework aligns with the State University System admission requirements found in Florida Board of Governor’s
Regulation 6.002, Admission of Undergraduate First-Time-in-College, Degree-Seeking Freshmen, available at
https://www.flbog.edu/wp-content/uploads/6_002FINAL_FTIC_03252020.pdf.
21
Section 1009.531(6)(b)-(d), F.S. To ensure the required exam scores represent top student performance and are equivalent between
the ACT and SAT, the department determines the score for FAS as no lower than 89
th
national percentile on the SAT, for FMS no
lower than 75
th
national percentile on the SAT, and the required ACT score must be made concordant. The department must publish
any changes to the exam requirements that apply to students graduating in the next 2 years.
22
Section 1009.534(1), F.S. (Flush-left provision at end of section). Beginning with a high school student graduating in the 2022-23
academic year and thereafter, 100 hours may be in either volunteer work or paid work. Id.
23
Id.
24
Section 1009.534, F.S.
25
Section 1009.535, F.S.
26
Section 1009.534(1)(b)-(e), F.S.
27
Section 1009.534(2), F.S.
28
Section 1009.535(2), F.S. and BOG Regulation
29
Id. Beginning with the fall 2021 semester, an FMS who is enrolled in an associate degree program at an FCS institution is eligible
for the award. STORAGE NAME: h0459a.PEW PAGE: 5
DATE: 3/22/2023
A student may receive an FAS or FMS award for a maximum of 100 percent of the number of credit
hours required to complete an associate degree, baccalaureate degree, or postsecondary career
certificate program.
30
For the 2021-2022 academic year, a total of $396,650,804 dollars
31
were disbursed to 68,585
students
32
receiving an FAS award and $207,279,974 dollars
33
to 50,355 students
34
receiving an FMS
award.
Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholarship
A Florida high school student who wishes to qualify for the Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholarship
(FGSV) award must meet the following initial eligibility requirements:
35
Achieve a minimum 3.0 weighted GPA in the non-elective high school courses.
Take at least three full credits in a single career and technical education program.
Achieve a minimum 3.5 unweighted GPA in the career education courses.
Complete 30 service hours or 100 hours of paid work (beginning with 2022-2023 graduates).
Achieve the required minimum score on the ACT, SAT, or Florida Postsecondary Education
Readiness Test (P.E.R.T.) exams depicted in the table below:
36
Exam Type Sub-test Required Score
ACT Reading 19
English 17
Mathematics 19
SAT Reading Test 24
Writing and Language Test 25
Math Test 24
P.E.R.T. Reading 106
Writing 103
Mathematics 114
A student may receive an FGSV award for a maximum of 100 percent of the number of credit hours or
equivalent clock hours required to complete an applied technology diploma, associate in applied
science or associate in science degree, or a postsecondary career certificate program.
37
An FGSV award recipient is eligible for an award equal to the amount specified in the GAA.
38
The
award amount in the GAA for FY 2022-23 is:
39
$39 per credit hour or equivalent for a career certificate program.
$39 per credit hour for an applied technology diploma program.
$48 per credit hour for an associate in applied science or associate in science degree program.
30
Section 1009.532(3)(a), F.S.
31
Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program, Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Disbursement History (as of Sep. 2022), available
at https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/PDF/PSI/BFReportsD2.pdf.
32
Id.
33
Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program, Florida Medallion Scholars Disbursement History (as of Sep. 2022), available at
https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/PDF/PSI/BFReportsD3.pdf.
34
Id.
35
Section 1009.532(1), F.S.; see also 2021-22 Bright Futures Student Handbook, Chapter 1: Initial Eligibility Requirements (Aug. 5,
2021), at 6, available at https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/PDF/BFHandbookChapter1.pdf.
36
Id.
37
Section 1009.532(5)(a)1., F.S.; see also 2021-22 Bright Futures Student Handbook, Chapter 2: What You Need to Know Now That
You Are Eligible (July 1, 2021), at 3, available at https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/PDF/BFHandbookChapter2.pdf.
38
Section 1009.536(3), F.S.
39
Specific Appropriation 3, s.1, ch. 2022-156, L.O.F. STORAGE NAME: h0459a.PEW PAGE: 6
DATE: 3/22/2023
For the 2021-2022 academic year, a total of $549,221 dollars
40
were disbursed to 655 students
41
receiving an FGSV award.
Florida Gold Seal Career and Professional Education (CAPE) Scholarship
A Florida high school student who wishes to qualify for the Florida Gold Seal Career and Professional
Education (FGSC) Scholarship must meet the following initial eligibility requirements:
42
Earn a minimum of five postsecondary credit hours through CAPE industry certifications which
articulate for college credit.
Complete 30 service hours.
A student may receive an FGSC award for a maximum of 100 percent of the number of credit hours or
equivalent clock hours required to complete an applied technology diploma, associate in applied
science or associate in science degree, or a postsecondary career certificate program.
43
An FGSC award recipient is eligible for an award equal to the amount specified in the GAA.
44
The
award amount in the GAA for FY 2022-23 is:
45
$39 per credit hour or equivalent for a career certificate program.
$39 per credit hour for an applied technology diploma program.
$48 per credit hour for an associate in applied science or associate in science degree program.
Upon completion of an eligible associate in science degree program, an FGSC scholar may also
receive an award for a maximum of 60 credit hours toward the baccalaureate degree.
46
The award
amount specified in the GAA for FY 2021-22 is:
47
$48 per credit hour for a bachelor of science program for which there is a statewide articulation
agreement.
$48 per credit hour for a bachelor of applied science program at an FCS institution.
For the 2021-2022 academic year, a total of $202,657 dollars
48
were disbursed to 242 students
49
receiving an FGSC award.
40
Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program, Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars Disbursement History (as of Sep. 2022),
available at https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/PDF/PSI/BFReportsD4.pdf.
41
Id.
42
Section 1009.536(2)(a)-(b), F.S.
43
Section 1009.532(5)(b)1., F.S.; see also 2021-22 Bright Futures Student Handbook, Chapter 2: What You Need to Know Now That
You Are Eligible (July 1, 2021), at 3, available at https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/PDF/BFHandbookChapter2.pdf.
44
Section 1009.536(3), F.S.
45
Specific Appropriation 3, s.1, ch. 2022-156, L.O.F.
46
Section 1009.536(5)(b)2., F.S.
47
Specific Appropriation 3, s.1, ch. 2022-156, L.O.F.
48
Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program, Florida Gold Seal CAPE Scholars Disbursement History (as of Sep. 2022), available
at https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/PDF/PSI/BFReportsD5.pdf.
49
Id. STORAGE NAME: h0459a.PEW PAGE: 7
DATE: 3/22/2023
Student Volunteer Requirements for the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program
Each award in the Bright Futures Program requires a student to complete a specified number of hours
of volunteer service work to be eligible to receive a scholarship award. A student must meet the
following service requirements:
Bright Futures Scholarship Program Required Service Hours
50
FAS 100 volunteer or paid
work hours
FMS 75 volunteer hours or 100
paid work hours
FGSV 30 volunteer hours or 100
hours of paid work
FGSC 30 volunteer hours or 100
hours of paid work
The student’s volunteer service work or paid work must be approved by the district school board, the
administrators of a nonpublic school, or the DOE for home education students.
51
Each district school board and the administrators of a nonpublic school must establish approved
activities and the process for documentation of service hours, including the deadline by which the hours
must be completed.
52
Service work may include, but is not limited to, a business or governmental
internship, work for a nonprofit community service organization, or activities on behalf of a candidate for
public office.
53
Except for credit earned through service-learning courses,
54
the student may not receive
payment or academic credit for service work performed.
55
The hours earned by a student must be documented in writing, signed by the student and the student’s
parent or guardian, and a representative of the organization where the work was performed.
In addition to the service hours, a student must identify a social or civic issue or a professional area that
interests him or her, develop a plan for their personal involvement in addressing the issue or learning
more about the area, and, through papers or presentations, evaluate and reflect upon his or her
experience.
56
Florida’s Career and Technical Education Credential Types
Public career, technical and adult education programs are found within three education sectors: Florida
public school districts; Florida school districts with workforce education programs; and FCS
institutions.
57
There are several different career and technical credential types offered in Florida.
58
The Career Certificate signifies a student has successfully completed a clock hour postsecondary
career education program and is ready for employment in a field that requires non-college credit
50
Sections 1009.534(1), 1009.535(1), 1009.536(1)(e), F.S.
51
Id.
52
2021-22 Bright Futures Student Handbook, Chapter 1: Initial Eligibility Requirements (Aug. 5, 2021), at 4 and 6-7, available at
https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/PDF/BFHandbookChapter1.pdf.
53
Id.
54
Section 1003.497, F.S.
55
2021-22 Bright Futures Student Handbook, Chapter 1: Initial Eligibility Requirements (Aug. 5, 2021), at 4 and 6-7, available at
https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/PDF/BFHandbookChapter1.pdf.
56
Id.
57
Kathy Hebda, Florida Department of Education, Workforce Education System Overview, presentation to the House Postsecondary
Education & Employment Committee (Jan. 24, 2023) at 3, available at
https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?PublicationType=Committees&CommitteeId=3247&Session=20
23&DocumentType=Meeting+Packets&FileName=pew+1-24-23.pdf.
58
Id at 6. STORAGE NAME: h0459a.PEW PAGE: 8
DATE: 3/22/2023
postsecondary training.
59
The program varies in length from 40 hours or more to more than 1,500
hours.
60
The Applied Technology Diploma (ATD) signifies a student has successfully completed a (clock hour or
college credit) postsecondary career education program and is ready for employment in a field. The
program has embedded statewide articulation leading to the award of an AS degree.
61
This pathway is
offered by colleges or in school districts as non-college credit. An ATD program is a course of study
that is part of an Associate in Science (AS) degree or an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree.
The AS and AAS prepares students for occupations that require a two-year technical degree.
62
The College Credit Certificate prepares students for entry into employment in a field that requires some
college credit but less than a degree and signifies a student has successfully completed part of an AS
degree.
63
The Advanced Technical Certificate (ATC) prepares students who already have earned an AS, AAS, or
baccalaureate degree with an advanced specialized program of instruction.
64
Apprenticeship Programs
Apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship training programs are an important part of Florida's workforce
education ecosystem. Registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship ensure the most qualified
workforce for Florida's industries; they also give students the opportunity to gain advanced skills and
knowledge, allowing them to find meaningful work and advance in and enjoy productive careers.
65
Florida had 328 registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs operating in 2021-22,
training a total of 17,179 apprentices and pre-apprentices.
66
Furthermore, 1,917 apprentices completed
their program, earning an apprenticeship certificate and an average exit wage of $23.86 per hour, or
$49,629 per year.
67
In 2021-22, the DOE registered 27 new apprenticeship programs, bringing the total
to 275 programs training 15,479 apprentices, as well as 16 new pre-apprenticeship programs, bringing
the total to 53 pre-apprenticeship programs.
68
Florida’s registered apprenticeship programs require the following five core components: business
involvement, structured on-the-job training, related technical instruction, rewards for skill gains, and a
nationally recognized credential.
69
Apprentices are individuals who are at least 16 years of age and who have entered into an agreement
with a registered apprenticeship sponsor. They are a hired employee of the participating employer in an
59
Id.
60
Florida Department of Education, The Florida College System Transparency, Accountability, Progress, and Performance, at 2,
available at https://www.fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/7724/urlt/0083531-fcsawardtypestapp.pdf.
61
Kathy Hebda, Florida Department of Education, Workforce Education System Overview, presentation to the House Postsecondary
Education & Employment Committee (Jan. 24, 2023) at 6, available at
https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?PublicationType=Committees&CommitteeId=3247&Session=20
23&DocumentType=Meeting+Packets&FileName=pew+1-24-23.pdf.
62
Florida Department of Education, The Florida College System Transparency, Accountability, Progress, and Performance, at 2,
available at https://www.fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/7724/urlt/0083531-fcsawardtypestapp.pdf.
63
Kathy Hebda, Florida Department of Education, Workforce Education System Overview, presentation to the House Postsecondary
Education & Employment Committee (Jan. 24, 2023) at 6, available at
https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?PublicationType=Committees&CommitteeId=3247&Session=20
23&DocumentType=Meeting+Packets&FileName=pew+1-24-23.pdf.
64
Id.
65
Florida Department of Education, Florida’s Annual Apprenticeship and PreApprenticeship Report (2021-22), at 4, available at
https://www.fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/9904/urlt/2122ApprenticeshipReport.pdf.
66
Id at 6.
67
Id.
68
Id.
69
Id at 9-10. STORAGE NAME: h0459a.PEW PAGE: 9
DATE: 3/22/2023
“earn while you learn” model and engaged in learning the occupation through actual supervised work
experiences.
70
Effect of Proposed Changes
The bill amends the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program to incorporate student enrollment in
designated apprenticeship programs as eligible to receive scholarship funding.
The bill requires the DOE to include a list of approved apprenticeship programs, eligible postsecondary
educational institutions, high-demand jobs and critical skill sets in the state, and a wage breakdown of
jobs in the state in the Bright Futures advertisement notification sent to students, teachers, school
leaders, parents, and certified school counselors. This notification must be sent beginning with the
student's first year of high school.
The bill includes clarifying language that converts semester credit hours to equivalent clock hours for
the purpose of award eligibility. Furthermore, the bill changes the volunteer and work requirements to
75 hours of volunteer service, 100 hours of paid work, or a combination totaling 100 hours. Eligible paid
work completed on or after June 27, 2022 must be included in a student's total number of required paid
work hours.
The bill adds industry and career certificate options as eligible for a Florida Bright Futures student
award in the 2023-24 academic year and thereafter. Students pursuing an industry certification will be
eligible for an award for the following pathways:
Pathway Credit Hours Exceptions or Provisions
Industry Certification
Up to the number of hours
required for the certificate
Not to exceed 36 credit hours or
equivalent clock hours.
Technical Certificate
Up to the number of hours
required for a specific certificate
Not to exceed 15 credit hours or
equivalent clock hours.
Applied Technology
Diploma
Up to the number of hours
required for a specific diploma
Not to exceed 50 credit hours or
equivalent clock hours.
Career and Technical
Certificate
Up to the number of hours
required for a specific certificate.
Not to exceed 19 credit hours or
equivalent clock hours.
Apprenticeship
Program
Up to the number of credit hours
for a certificate of completion.
The student must not be not exempt from
paying tuition and fees, including lab fees.
100 percent of the books, tools, and
materials necessary to complete the
apprenticeship program must not exceed
$2,000.
B. SECTION DIRECTORY:
Section 1. Amending s. 1007, 2616, F.S., requiring high schools to offer certain computer science
courses; requiring such courses to satisfy specified instruction requirements; requiring
Florida College System institutions and state universities to recognize credits from such
courses as foreign language credits; requiring such courses to be included in the Course
Code Directory.
Section 2. Amending s. 1009.53, F.S., conforming provisions to changes made by the act; requiring
the Department of Education to include specified information in an annual notification to
certain individuals.
70
Id at 12. STORAGE NAME: h0459a.PEW PAGE: 10
DATE: 3/22/2023
Section 3. Amending s. 1009.532, F.S., beginning in a specified academic year, authorizing
students who earn a Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars award to enroll in certain
programs.
Section 4. Amending s. 1009.533, F.S., providing that entities that operate apprenticeship
programs are considered a postsecondary institution eligible for participation in the
program.
Section 5. Amending s. 1009.534, F.S., authorizing students to use a combination of volunteer
service hours and paid work hours to meet certain program eligibility requirements;
providing that paid work hours completed on or after a specified date shall be used to
meet certain program eligibility requirements.
Section 6. Amending s. 1009.535, F.S., authorizing students to use a combination of volunteer
service hours and paid work hours to meet certain program eligibility requirements;
providing that paid work hours completed on or after a specified date shall be used to
meet certain program eligibility requirements.
Section 7. Amending s. 1009.536, F.S., authorizing the department to identify aptitude tests
students may use to demonstrate readiness for postsecondary education for specified
purposes; authorizing students to use a combination of volunteer service hours and paid
work hours to meet certain program eligibility requirements; providing that paid work
hours completed on or after a specified date shall be used to meet certain program
eligibility requirements; authorizing students who earn a Florida Gold Seal Vocational
Scholars award to enroll in certain programs.
Section 8. Provides an effective date.
II. FISCAL ANALYSIS & ECONOMIC IMPACT STATEMENT
A. FISCAL IMPACT ON STATE GOVERNMENT:
1. Revenues:
None.
2. Expenditures:
See Fiscal Comments.
B. FISCAL IMPACT ON LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
1. Revenues:
None.
2. Expenditures:
None.
C. DIRECT ECONOMIC IMPACT ON PRIVATE SECTOR:
The bill may save students money and increase access to postsecondary opportunities by authorizing
approved apprenticeship programs and alternative aptitude tests to qualify for the Bright Futures
Program.
D. FISCAL COMMENTS: STORAGE NAME: h0459a.PEW PAGE: 11
DATE: 3/22/2023
The fiscal impact of the bill is indeterminate. By authorizing approved apprenticeship programs and
alternative aptitude tests to meet eligibility requirements under the Bright Futures Program, the number
of students who may qualify and program cost/expenditures may increase.
III. COMMENTS
A. CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES:
1. Applicability of Municipality/County Mandates Provision:
None.
2. Other:
None.
B. RULE-MAKING AUTHORITY:
None.
C. DRAFTING ISSUES OR OTHER COMMENTS:
None.
IV. AMENDMENTS/COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE CHANGES
None.