Florida 2024 2024 Regular Session

Florida House Bill H7051 Analysis / Analysis

Filed 05/16/2024

                     
This document does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill sponsor or House of Representatives. 
STORAGE NAME:      
DATE:      
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES STAFF FINAL BILL ANALYSIS  
 
BILL #: CS/CS/HB 7051          PCB PEW 24-01    Education 
SPONSOR(S): Education & Employment Committee and Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee and 
Postsecondary Education & Workforce Subcommittee, Melo 
TIED BILLS:  None. IDEN./SIM. BILLS: CS/SB 7032 
 
 
 
 
FINAL HOUSE FLOOR ACTION: 112 Y’s 
 
0 N’s GOVERNOR’S ACTION: Approved 
 
 
SUMMARY ANALYSIS 
CS/CS/HB 7051 passed the House on March 6, 2024, as CS/SB 7032 as amended. The Senate concurred in 
the House amendment to the Senate bill and subsequently passed the bill as amended on March 6, 2024. 
 
The bill creates the Graduation Alternative to Traditional Education (GATE) Program, GATE Scholarship 
Program, GATE Startup Grant Program, and GATE Program Performance Fund to provide individuals aged 16 
to 21 who have withdrawn from high school the opportunity to earn, at no cost, a standard high school diploma, 
or equivalent, and a workforce credential. The bill provides eligibility criteria and defines the programs and 
certificates that may be offered. 
 
The bill requires postsecondary career centers and Florida College System institutions to waive 100 percent of 
tuition, certain fees, and instructional materials costs for students participating in the program. However, after a 
student’s first term in the GATE Program, the bill requires participating institutions to first apply Open Door 
Grant funds to pay student tuition & fees prior to waiving such costs and seeking reimbursement through the 
GATE Scholarship Program. Subject to availability of funds, participating students will also be eligible for a 
stipend through the Open Door Grant Program to pay for transportation. 
 
The bill tasks the Department of Education (DOE) with state-level administration of the new GATE programs, 
including administering the GATE Startup Grant Program. School districts and institutions in rural areas without 
programs that meet GATE Program requirements may apply for startup grant funds. 
 
The bill creates the GATE Program Performance Fund (Fund) to reward participating institutions for successful 
student outcomes. Specifically, the fund will award an institution $1,000 for each student that receives a high 
school credential and a workforce credential within 3 years. If the student completes one portion of the GATE 
program at one institution and another component at another institution, each institution would receive $500.  
 
The bill provides several provisions to identify and enroll eligible students. First, when students choose to 
disenroll from school, the bill requires they be made aware of the GATE program and its opportunities. The bill 
also requires GED candidates be made aware of the program and eligibility requirements. For those who have 
been separated for longer periods of time and may engage with a one-stop center, the bill requires they be 
made aware of adult education generally, and the GATE program specifically. 
 
Additionally, DOE will be required to develop and implement a statewide recruitment campaign in conjunction 
with other entities that interact with the target population. To provide accountability and assess the overall 
success of the program, the bill requires DOE to annually report certain information. 
 
To the extent funds are specifically appropriated, the bill will have an indeterminate fiscal impact on school 
districts and Florida College System institutions relating to the implementation of the GATE Program. See 
fiscal comments.  
 
The bill was approved by the Governor on May 9, 2024, ch. 2024-161, L.O.F., and will become effective on 
July 1, 2024.    
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I. SUBSTANTIVE INFORMATION 
 
A. EFFECT OF CHANGES:  
 
Current Situation 
 
Compulsory Age of Attendance 
 
When a student reaches 16 years of age, he or she is no longer required to attend school if he/she files 
a formal declaration of intent to terminate school enrollment with the school district.
1
 The declaration 
must be signed by the student and the student's parent.
2
 
 
In signing the declaration, the student must acknowledge that leaving school is likely to reduce earning 
potential.
3
 
 
The student's school counselor is required to conduct an exit interview with the student to determine 
reasons for the student's decision and actions that could be taken to keep the student in school.
4
 The 
school counselor is also required to inform the student of opportunities to continue his or her education 
in a different environment, including, but not limited to, adult education and high school equivalency 
examination preparation.
5
 
 
High School Graduation in Florida 
 
Florida’s High School Graduation Requirements 
 
To earn a standard high school diploma a student must complete 24 credits, an International 
Baccalaureate curriculum, or an Advanced International Certificate of Education curriculum.
6
  
 
The 24-credit option for a standard high school diploma includes:
7
 
 Four credits in English Language Arts (ELA) I, II, III, and IV. 
 Four credits in mathematics, including one in Algebra I and one in Geometry. 
 Three credits in science, two of which must have a laboratory component and one of which 
must include Biology I. 
 Three credits in social studies including one credit in United States History, one credit in World 
History, one-half credit in economics, and one-half credit in United States Government. 
 One credit in fine or performing arts, speech and debate, or career and technical education. 
 One credit in physical education which includes the integration of health. 
 Seven and one-half credits in electives. 
 One-half credit in personal financial literacy. 
 
All students must pass the statewide, standardized grade 10 ELA assessment, or earn a concordant 
score, and must pass the statewide, standardized Algebra I end-of-course (EOC) assessment, or earn 
a comparative score, in order to earn a standard high school diploma.
8
  
 
                                                
1
 s. 1003.21(1)(c), F.S. 
2
 Id. 
3
 Id. 
4
 Id. 
5
 Id. 
6
 s. 1003.4282(1)(a), F.S. 
7
 s. 1003.4282(3)(a)-(g), F.S. 
8
 s. 1003.4282(3), F.S. A student enrolled in an Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), or Advanced 
International Certificate of Education (AICE) course who takes the respective AP, IB, or AICE assessment and earns a specified score 
is not required to take the corresponding EOC assessment. See section 1008.22(3)(b)6., F.S.   
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Students who earn the required credits to graduate, but fail to pass the required assessments or 
achieve a 2.0 grade point average (GPA) are awarded a certificate of completion in a form prescribed 
by the State Board of Education (SBE)
9
. In the 2022-2023 graduation cohort, 5,818 students earned a 
certificate of completion.
10
 
 
High School Equivalency Diploma Program 
 
The high school equivalency diploma offers students who are no longer enrolled in high school an 
opportunity to earn a high school diploma by successfully passing the standard GED tests. To be 
eligible for the high school equivalency diploma program students must meet the following criteria:
11
 
 At least 16 years old and currently enrolled in a prekindergarten-12 program. 
 Enrolled in and attending high school courses that meet high school graduation requirements.  
 In jeopardy of not graduating with their kindergarten cohort because they are overage for grade, 
behind in credits, or have a low GPA. 
 Assessed at a seventh grade reading level or higher at the time of selection as documented by 
the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) reading component or other assessment to determine 
grade level proficiency. 
 
Each school district is required to offer and administer the high school equivalency diploma 
examinations and the subject area examination to candidates.
12
 A candidate for a high school 
equivalency diploma must be at least 18 years of age on the date of the examination, except that in 
extraordinary circumstances, as provided for in rules of the district school board of the district in which 
the candidate resides or attends school, a candidate may take the examination after reaching the age 
of 16.
13
 School districts may not require a student who has reached the age of 16 to take any course 
before taking the examination unless the student fails to achieve a passing score on the GED practice 
test.
14
 
 
As seen in the tables below, the number of students enrolling in GED programs at both school districts 
and colleges in the Florida College System (FCS) has increased since the 2020-21 school year.
15
 
 
Students enrolled in a School District GED program 
School Year 
Number of 
Students enrolled 
in a GED program 
Number Students enrolled in 
a GED program who are 21 
years of age or less 
2020-2021 5,256 	2,851 
2021-2022 7,499 	4,123 
2022-2023 8,888 	5,330 
 
Students enrolled in an FCS GED program 
                                                
9
 s. 1003.4282(5)(c), F.S. 
10
 Florida Department of Education, Florida’s High School Cohort 2022-23 Graduation Rate, 
https://www.fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/7584/urlt/GradRates2223.pdf (last visited March 6, 2024). 
11
 Rule 6A-6.0212, F.A.C 
12
 s. 1003.435(3), F.S. 
13
 s. 1003.435(4), F.S. 
14
 Id.  
15
 Data provided by Florida Department of Education.   
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School Year 
Number of 
Students enrolled 
in a GED program 
Number Students enrolled in 
a GED program who are 21 
years of age or less 
2020-2021 780 	353 
2021-2022 1,034 	525 
2022-2023 1,166 	552 
 
Existing Initiatives in Adult Secondary and Career Education 
 
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 
  
In 2014, Congress passed the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), which superseded 
the Workforce Investment Act of 1998.
16
 WIOA requires each state to develop a single, unified plan for 
aligning workforce services through the identification and evaluation of core workforce programs.
17
  
 
WIOA identifies four core programs that coordinate and complement each other to ensure job seekers 
have access to needed resources.
18
 The core programs are: 
 Adult, Dislocated Worker and Youth Programs; 
 Adult Education and Literacy Activities;  
 Employment Services under the Wagner-Peyser Act;
19
 and 
 Vocational Rehabilitation Services.
20
 
 
In Fiscal Year 2022-2023, CareerSource Florida allocated $238 million in funding
21
 and assisted nearly 
64,000 job seekers in obtaining employment.
22
 
 
WIOA includes funding to provide adult education and literacy activities for individuals who are at least 
16 years of age, not enrolled in secondary school, and do not have a secondary school diploma or its 
recognized equivalent.
23
 Adult education and family literacy activities include programs, activities, and 
services that include adult education, literacy, workplace adult education and literacy activities, family 
literacy activities, English language acquisition activities, integrated English literacy and civics 
education, workforce preparation activities, or integrated education and training.
24
 The estimated award 
for Fiscal Year 2023 for basic adult education and family literacy activities in Florida is $40,506,044.
25
 
 
                                                
16
 Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, 29 U.S.C. s. 3101 et seq. (2014). 
17
 See 29 U.S.C. s. 3112(a). 
18
 See 29 U.S.C. s. 3102(13). 
19
 See 29 U.S.C. s. 49 et seq. The Wagner-Peyser Act establishes a system of public employment offices to bring together individuals 
seeking employment and employers seeking workers. 
20
 See 29 U.S.C. s. 720 et. seq. 
21
 CareerSource Florida, 2022-2023 CareerSource Florida Annual Report, https://careersourceflorida.com/wp-
content/uploads/2023/12/CAREERSOURCE-FLORIDA-FY-22-23-ANNUA L-REPORT_DIGITA L.pdf (last visited March 6, 2024). 
22
 CareerSource Florida, CareerSource Florida Celebrates 2023 Workforce Development Accomplishments, 
https://careersourceflorida.com/2023/12/28/2023-workforce-development-accomplishments/ (last visited March 6, 2024). 
23
 29 U.S.C. s. 3272(4). 
24
 29 U.S.C. s. 3272(2). 
25
 USDOE, Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education, FY_2023_State_Grant_Allocations_Memo, https://aefla.ed.gov/state-
grants at 2 (last visited March 6, 2024).   
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WIOA also provides funds to local workforce boards to provide youth workforce investment activities 
that provide:
26
  
 Activities leading to the attainment of a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent, 
or a recognized postsecondary credential; 
 Preparation for postsecondary educational and training opportunities; 
 Strong linkages between academic instruction and occupational education that lead to the 
attainment of recognized postsecondary credentials; 
 Preparation for unsubsidized employment opportunities, in appropriate cases; and 
 Effective connections to employers, including small employers, in in-demand industry sectors 
and occupations of the local and regional labor markets. 
 
Florida’s allotment for youth workforce investment activities under WIOA is $39,224,930 for the 2023 
Program Year.
27
  
 
Perkins V 
 
The Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006, as amended by the Strengthening 
Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V), assists states and outlying areas 
in expanding and improving career and technical education (CTE) in secondary schools, technical 
schools, and community colleges.
28
 The term “career and technical education” means organized 
educational activities that:
29
 
 Offer a sequence of courses that provides individuals with rigorous academic content and 
relevant technical knowledge and skills needed to prepare for further education and careers. 
 Include competency-based, work-based, or other applied learning that supports the 
development of academic knowledge, higher-order reasoning and problem-solving skills, work 
attitudes, employability skills, technical skills, and occupation-specific skills, and knowledge of 
all aspects of an industry, including entrepreneurship, of an individual. 
 To the extent practicable, coordinate between secondary and postsecondary education 
programs through programs of study that provide postsecondary credit or advanced standing. 
 May include career exploration at the high school level or as early as the middle grades. 
 
Florida received $82,363,333 under Perkins V for Fiscal Year 2023.
30
 
 
Florida Workforce Education 
 
“Workforce education” is adult general education or career education and may consist of a continuing 
workforce education course or a program of study leading to an occupational completion point, a career 
certificate, an applied technology diploma, a career degree, or a registered apprenticeship certificate of 
completion. 
 
At the postsecondary level, the terms “workforce education” and “workforce education program” 
include:
31
 
 Adult general education programs designed to improve the employability skills of the state’s 
workforce.
32
 
                                                
26
 29 U.S.C. s. 3164(c)(1)(C). 
27
 USDOL, ETA, WIOA Youth Activities State Allotments (2023), 
https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ETA/budget/pdfs/23you%24.pdf (last visited March 6, 2024). 
28
 20 U.S.C. s. 2301 et seq. 
29
 20 U.S.C. s. 2302(5). 
30
 USDOE, Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education, Final_Program_Memo-
Estimated_FY_2023_Perkins_State_Allocations, https://s3.amazonaws.com/PCRN/docs/Final_Program_Memo-
Estimated_FY_2023_Perkins_State_Allocations.pdf (last visited March 6, 2024). 
31
 s. 1011.80(1), F.S. 
32
 s. 1011.80(1)(a), F.S.   
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 Career certificate programs, which are defined as a course of study that leads to one completion 
point.
33
 
 Applied technology diploma programs. 
 Continuing workforce education courses. 
 Degree career education programs. 
 Apprenticeship and preapprenticeship programs. 
 
Adult education programs in Florida were established to encourage the provision of educational 
services that will enable adults to acquire:
34
 
 The basic skills necessary to attain basic and functional literacy. 
 A high school diploma or successfully complete the high school equivalency examination. 
 An educational foundation that will enable them to become more employable, productive, and 
self-sufficient citizens. 
 
The major program areas are Adult Basic Education Adult High School and GED® Preparation, and 
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). These programs emphasize basic skills such as 
reading, writing, math, and English language competency. Adult education programs also help adult 
learners gain the knowledge and skills they need to enter and succeed in postsecondary education.
35
 
 
“Adult secondary education” is a course through which a person receives high school credit that leads 
to the award of a high school diploma or a course of instruction through which a student prepares to 
take the high school equivalency examination.
36
 
 
An “applied technology diploma program” (ATD) is a course of study that is part of a technical degree 
program, is less than 60 credit hours, and leads to employment in a specific occupation.
37
 An ATD 
program may consist of either technical credit or college credit. A public school district may offer an 
ATD program only as technical credit, with college credit awarded to a student upon articulation to an 
FCS institution. Statewide articulation among public schools and FCS institutions is guaranteed.
38
  
 
To qualify for admission to an ATD program, a student must:
39
 
 Have a high school diploma, a high school equivalency diploma, or a certificate of completion; 
or 
 Submit a signed affidavit by the student's parent or legal guardian attesting that the student has 
completed a home education program that satisfies school attendance requirements.
40
 
 
A “career certificate program” is a course of study that leads to at least one occupational completion 
point.
41
 An “occupational completion point” means the occupational competencies that qualify a person 
to enter an occupation that is linked to a career and technical program.
42
 The career certificate program 
may also confer credit that may articulate with a diploma or career degree education program.
43
 The 
                                                
33
 s. 1004.02(20), F.S. 
34
 s. 1004.93(1)(a), F.S. 
35
 Florida Department of Education, Adult Education, https://www.fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu/adult-edu/, (last visited 
March 6, 12, 2024). 
36
 s. 1004.02(4), F.S. 
37
 s. 1004.02(7), F.S. 
38
 s. 1007.23(5), F.S. 
39
 Rule 6A-10.024(7), F.A.C. 
40
 s. 1002.41, F.S. 
41
 s. 1004.02(20), F.S. 
42
 s. 1004.02(21), F.S. 
43
 s. 1004.02(20), F.S.   
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DOE has established 29 statewide articulation agreements for career certificate programs to career 
degree education programs.
44
 
 
Rural Areas of Opportunity 
 
A rural area of opportunity (RAO) is a rural community, or a region consisting of rural communities, 
which has been negatively impacted by an extraordinary economic event, severe distress, or a natural 
disaster or presents a unique development opportunity of regional impact.
45 
The Governor designates 
RAOs by executive order to establish those regions as priority assignments for Rural and Economic 
Development Initiative (REDI) agencies. The designation allows the Governor to waive criteria of any 
economic development incentive including:
46
 
 
 The Qualified Target Industry Tax Refund Program under s. 288.106, F.S. 
 The Quick Response Training Program and the Quick Response Training Program for 
participants in the welfare transition program under s. 288.047, F.S. 
 Transportation projects under s. 339.2821, F.S.  
 The brownfield redevelopment bonus refund under s. 288.107, F.S.  
 The rural job tax credit program under s. 212.098, F.S. and s. 220.1895, F.S. 
 
The Governor designates RAOs by executive order. The currently designated RAOs are:
47
 
 
 Northwest Rural Area of Opportunity: Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, 
Liberty, Wakulla, and Washington counties, and the area within the city limits of Freeport and 
Walton County north of the Choctawhatchee Bay and intercoastal waterway. 
 South Central Rural Area of Opportunity: DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, and 
Okeechobee counties, and the cities of Pahokee, Belle Glade, and South Bay (Palm Beach 
County), and Immokalee (Collier County). 
 North Central Rural Area of Opportunity: Baker, Bradford, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, 
Hamilton, Jefferson, Lafayette, Levy, Madison, Putnam, Suwannee, Taylor, and Union counties. 
 
Funds for Operation of Workforce Education Programs 
 
State funding for workforce education programs is calculated based on weighted student enrollment 
and program costs, minus tuition and fee revenues, and including various supplemental cost factors.
48
 
To ensure equitable funding for all school district workforce education programs and to recognize 
enrollment growth, the Department of Education uses and submits to the Legislature, a funding model 
developed by the District Workforce Education Funding Steering Committee to determine each district’s 
workforce education funding needs.
 49
  
 
Continuing workforce education programs provided by district school boards or Florida College System 
institutions must be fully supported by fees.
50
 For fee-exempt students, such as students in an 
apprenticeship program, state funding is 100 percent of the average cost of instruction.
51
  
 
                                                
44
 Florida Department of Education, Statewide Articulation Agreements: Statewide Career Pathways, 
https://www.fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu/career-technical-edu-agreements/psav-to-aas-as-degree.stml (last visited March 6, 
2024). 
45
 s. 288.0656(2)(d), F.S. 
46
 Florida Department of Commerce, Rural Areas of Opportunity, https://www.floridajobs.org/community-planning-and-
development/rural-community-programs/rural-areas-of-opportunity (last visited March 6, 2024). 
47
 Id. 
48
 s. 1011.80(6)(b), F.S.  
49
 s. 1011.80(7)(a), F.S. 
50
 See s. 1011.80(6)(a), F.S. 
51
 See s. 1011.80(6)(c), F.S.   
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Workforce Education Tuition and Fees 
 
For programs leading to a career certificate or an ATD, the standard tuition is $2.33 per contact hour for 
residents.
52
 A block tuition of $45 per half year or $30 per term is assessed for students enrolled in 
adult general education, which includes adult secondary education programs.
53
 Each district school 
board and FCS institution may adopt tuition that is within the range of five percent below to five percent 
above the standard tuition.
54
 Institutions may also adopt student financial aid,
55
 capital improvement,
56
 
and technology fees
57
 for students that are not enrolled in adult general education programs. The 
student financial aid fee is capped at 10 percent of tuition, while the capital improvement and 
technology fees are capped at 5 percent of tuition.
58
 
 
Florida College System institution boards of trustees and district school boards are also authorized to 
establish fee schedules for the following user fees and fines: laboratory fees; parking fees and fines; 
library fees and fines; fees and fines relating to facilities and equipment use or damage; access or 
identification card fees; duplicating, photocopying, binding, or microfilming fees; standardized testing 
fees; diploma replacement fees; transcript fees; application fees; graduation fees; and late fees related 
to registration and payment. Such user fees and fines may not exceed the cost of the services provided 
and may only be charged to persons receiving the service.
59
 
 
The total tuition and fee estimate for district career centers for postsecondary certificate and adult 
general education programs in the 2023-2024 fiscal year is $40,152,198.
60
  
 
Workforce Education Funding for Co-enrollment 
 
School districts and FCS institutions are permitted to allow students currently enrolled in high school to 
co-enroll in their Adult High School program.
61
 A student who is coenrolled in a K-12 education program 
and an adult education program may be reported for purposes of funding in an adult education 
program. If a student is coenrolled in core curricula courses for credit recovery or dropout prevention 
purposes and does not have a pattern of excessive absenteeism or habitual truancy or a history of 
disruptive behavior in school, the student may be reported for funding for up to two courses per year. 
Such a student is exempt from the payment of the block tuition for adult general education programs. 
The Department of Education is required to develop a list of courses to be designated as core curricula 
courses for the purposes of coenrollment.
62
 
 
State Financial Aid and Grant 
 
The general requirements for eligibility of students for state financial aid awards and tuition assistance 
grants consist of the following:
63
 
                                                
52
 s. 1009.22, F.S. 
53
 s. 1009.22(3)(c), F.S. 
54
 s. 1009.22(3)(d), F.S. Florida Department of Education, State Funding for Districts: 2023-24 District Workforce Education Tuition 
and Fees (Attachment), https://www.fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/7529/urlt/2023-24-Workforce-Education-Tuition-and-Fees-
Attachment.pdf at 1 (last visited March 6, 2024). 
55
 s. 1009.22(6), F.S. 
56
 s. 1009.22(7), F.S. 
57
 s. 1009.22(8), F.S. 
58
 s. 1009.22(6)-(8), F.S. 
59
 s. 1009.22(10), F.S. 
60
 Florida Department of Education, 2023-24 District Workforce Education Funding Summary, 
https://www.fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/7529/urlt/2324-wf-fundingsummary.pdf at 32 (last visited Feb. 12, 2024). 
61
 Florida Department of Education, Memorandum: 2023-24 Adult High School Co-Enrollment Program Eligible Course List (May 
23, 2023), https://www.fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/7522/urlt/2324AdultHSCoEnroll-ProMemo.pdf (last visited March 6, 2024). 
62
 s. 1011.80(10), F.S. 
63
 s. 1009.40(1)(a), F.S.   
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 Achievement of the academic requirements of and acceptance at a state university or state 
college; a nursing diploma school approved by the Florida Board of Nursing; a Florida college or 
university which is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the SBE; a Florida 
institution the credits of which are acceptable for transfer to state universities; a career center; 
or a private career institution accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the SBE. 
 Residency in this state for no less than one year preceding the award of aid or a tuition 
assistance grant.
64
 Residency in this state must be for purposes other than to obtain an 
education. 
 Submission of certification attesting to the accuracy, completeness, and correctness of 
information provided to demonstrate a student’s eligibility to receive state financial aid awards or 
tuition assistance grants. 
 
Open Door Grant Program 
 
The Open Door Grant Program is a financial aid program for students of a state college or career 
center to incentivize current and future workers to enroll in an adult education integrated education and 
training program or a workforce education program on the Master Credentials List that leads to a 
credential, certificate, or degree.
65
  
 
In order to be eligible for the Open Door Grant Program, a student must:
66
 
 Be a resident of Florida for tuition purposes and attest to the accuracy, completeness, and 
correctness of information provided to demonstrate the student’s eligibility to receive state 
financial aid awards or tuition assistance grants; 
 Be enrolled in an integrated education and training program, career certificate, applied 
technology diploma, continuing workforce education, associate’s degree, or apprenticeship and 
preapprenticeship programs included on the Master Credentials List or lead to a certification on 
the Master Credentials list; 
 Be enrolled at a school district postsecondary technical career center, a state college, or a 
charter technical career center. 
 
A student is eligible to receive an award equal to the amount needed to cover 100 percent of the cost 
for the eligible workforce education program after all other federal and state financial aid and any other 
private or public financial assistance is applied. These costs may include tuition and fees, exam or 
assessment costs, books, or related materials. Additionally, a student is eligible to receive a stipend up 
to $1,500 per academic year to cover other educational expenses related to cost of attendance. The 
awards are subject to availability of funding and stipend amounts may be specified in the General 
Appropriations Act. 
 
For the 2023-2024 fiscal year, the Legislature appropriated $35 million in recurring general revenue 
funds for the Open Door Grant Program, including $15 million for District Workforce Education and $20 
million for the Florida College System.
67
 
 
CAPE Industry Certification Funding List 
 
The State Board of Education is required to adopt, at least annually, based on recommendations by the 
Commissioner of Education, the CAPE Industry Certification Funding List that assigns additional full-
time equivalent membership to certifications identified in the Master Credentials List that meet a 
statewide, regional, or local demand.
68
  
                                                
64
 The residency requirement is specific to awards under ss. 1009.50, 1009.505, 1009.51, 1009.52, 1009.53, 1009.60, 1009.62, 
1009.72, 1009.73, 1009.75, 1009.77, 1009.89, and 1009.894, F.S. 
65
 s. 1009.895, F.S. 
66
 Id. 
67
 Specific Appropriation 59B, ch. 2023-239, L.O.F. 
68
 s. 1008.44(1), F.S.   
STORAGE NAME:      	PAGE: 10 
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Certifications included on the CAPE Industry Certification Funding List:
69
 
 Require at least 150 hours of instruction and 
 Can be earned in middle and high school. 
 Usually require passage of a subject area examination and some combination of work 
experience, educational attainment, or on-the-job training. 
 
Unless otherwise specified in the General Appropriations Act, district workforce education programs 
and FCS institutions may receive $1,000 in performance funding for each eligible postsecondary 
industry certification that their students earn in an academic year.
70
 If funds are insufficient to fully fund 
the calculated total award, they will be prorated accordingly.
71
 
 
For the 2023-2024 fiscal year, the Legislature appropriated $8.5 million in recurring general revenue 
funds for CAPE incentive funds to district workforce education programs and $20 million in recurring 
general revenue funds for CAPE incentive funds for Florida College System institutions.
72
 
 
Effect of the Bill 
 
The bill creates the Graduation Alternative to Traditional Education (GATE) Program, GATE 
Scholarship Program, GATE Startup Grant Program, and GATE Program Performance Fund to provide 
individuals aged 16 to 21 who have withdrawn from high school the opportunity to earn, at no cost, a 
standard high school diploma, or equivalent, and a workforce credential. 
 
GATE Program 
 
The bill provides eligibility criteria for students to enroll in the GATE Program and defines the career 
education programs and certificates that may be offered through the program. The bill specifies that a 
student must: 
 Not have earned a standard high school diploma or a high school equivalency diploma. 
 Be a resident of this state for tuition purposes. 
 Be 16 to 21 years of age at the time of initial enrollment, and if 16 or 17 years of age has 
withdrawn from school enrollment pursuant to the requirements and safeguards of state law 
which require for example, written parental permission and counseling to remain in school. 
 Select the adult secondary education program and career education program of his or her 
choice at the time of admission to the GATE program, provided the program is included on the 
Master Credentials List. The student may not change the requested pathway after enrollment, 
except that, if necessary, the student may enroll in an adult basic education program prior to 
enrolling in the adult secondary education program. 
 Maintain a 2.0 grade point average (GPA) for career and technical education coursework. 
 Complete the adult secondary education program and the career education program within 
three years unless the institution determines that an extension is warranted due to extenuating 
circumstances. 
 
The bill defines a “career education program” as an applied technology diploma program or a career 
certificate program and defines an “institution” as a school district career center, a charter technical 
career center, or a Florida College System institution. 
 
The bill requires institutions to waive 100 percent of the registration, tuition, laboratory, and examination 
fees and instructional materials costs. However, after a student’s first term in the GATE Program, the 
bill requires participating institutions to first apply Open Door Grant funds to pay student tuition & fees 
                                                
69
 Rule 6A-6.0576(5)-(6), F.S. 
70
 ss. 1011.80(7)(b) and 1011.81(2)(b), F.S. 
71
 Id. 
72
 Specific Appropriations 111 and 120, ch. 2023-239, L.O.F.   
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prior to waiving such costs and seeking reimbursement through the GATE Scholarship Program. 
Subject to the eligibility of funds, students participating in the program will also be eligible for a stipend 
to cover other educational expenses related to the cost of attendance through the Open Door Grant.
73
 
 
The bill provides several provisions to engage eligible students. First, when students choose to 
disenroll from school, the bill requires they be made aware of the GATE program and the opportunities 
it offers. The bill also requires GED candidates be made aware of the program and its eligibility 
requirements. For those who have been separated for longer periods of time and may engage with a 
one-stop center, the bill requires they be made aware of adult education generally, and the GATE 
program specifically. 
 
Additionally, the Department of Education will be required to develop and implement a statewide 
recruitment campaign in conjunction with eligible institutions, local workforce development boards, and 
other local, regional, or state initiatives that interact with the target population. 
 
To provide accountability and assess the overall success of the program, the bill requires the 
Department of Education to annually report the number and value of registration, tuition, laboratory, and 
examination fees and instructional materials costs waived and reimbursed; and the number of students 
who have obtained a standard high school diploma or high school equivalency diploma, completed an 
applied technology diploma or career certificate, number of students that receive an Open Door Grant 
stipend, and earned an industry certificate, while participating in the program. 
 
The bill requires the State Board of Education to adopt rules to implement the GATE Program. 
 
GATE Scholarship Program 
 
The bill creates the GATE Scholarship Program to reimburse eligible institutions for registration, tuition, 
laboratory, and examination fees and related instructional materials costs for students enrolled in the 
GATE Program. The bill requires the GATE Scholarship Program to reimburse career centers and 
Florida College System institutions at their respective in-state resident tuition rates. 
 
Each participating institution is required to report to DOE all students enrolled in the GATE Program 
during the fall, spring, or summer terms within 30 days after the end of regular registration. For each 
eligible student, the institution is required to report the total reimbursable expenses by category, which 
the DOE must consider in determining an institution’s GATE Scholarship Program award. The bill 
requires the DOE to reimburse each participating institution no later than 30 days after the institution 
has reported enrollment for that term. 
 
The bill provides that reimbursements from the GATE Scholarship Program are contingent upon an 
annual appropriation in the General Appropriations Act (GAA). If the statewide reimbursement amount 
is greater than the appropriation, the institutional reimbursement amounts must be prorated among the 
institutions that have timely reported eligible students. 
 
The bill requires the State Board of Education to adopt rules to implement the GATE Scholarship  
Program. 
 
GATE Startup Grant Program 
 
The bill establishes the GATE Startup Grant Program (grant program) within the Department of 
Education (DOE) to fund and support the startup and implementation of new GATE programs. Funding 
for the grant program is subject to legislative appropriation. The purpose of the grant program is to 
increase access statewide to programs that support adult learners earning a high school credential and 
workforce credential aligned to statewide or regional demand.  
                                                
73
 s. 1009.895(3), F.S.   
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The bill tasks DOE with administering the grant program, including soliciting and funding proposals. 
Only school districts and Florida College System institutions in counties that do not have programs that 
are eligible for the GATE Program may apply for and receive grant program funds. Such school districts 
and institutions must also be located in or serve a rural area of opportunity. The bill requires the 
department to prioritize grant proposals that combine adult basic education, adult secondary education 
and career education programs at one location or allow students to complete programs via distance 
learning. Pursuant to the bill, an applicant may not receive more than 10 percent of the total amount 
appropriated by the Legislature. 
 
The bill requires DOE to make the grant application available to potential applicants no later than 
August 15, 2024. Grant proposals must include the following: 
 The institution or institutions that will provide the adult basic education, adult secondary 
education and career education programs; 
 The proposed adult basic education adult secondary education program or programs the 
institution or institutions will provide and projected enrollment; 
 The proposed career education program or programs and the institution or institutions will 
provide and projected enrollment; 
 The credential or credentials associated with the career education program or programs. Such 
credential or credentials must be included on the Master Credentials List; 
 The cost of instruction for all programs contemplated in the proposal, including costs for tuition, 
fees, registration, laboratory, examination, and instructional materials costs. 
 Outreach strategies including local workforce development boards; and 
 A plan or timeline for implementing the provisions of the GATE program and enrolling students. 
 
The bill specifies grant funds may be used for planning activities and other expenses associated with 
the creation of a new GATE program, such as expenses related to program instruction, instructional 
equipment, supplies, instructional personnel, and student services. Grant funds may not be used for 
indirect costs. Grant recipients must submit an annual report in a format prescribed by the department. 
 
The State Board of Education may adopt rules to administer the grant program. 
 
GATE Program Performance Fund 
 
The bill creates the GATE Program Performance Fund (Fund) to reward participating institutions for 
successful student outcomes. Specifically, the fund will award an institution $1,000 for each student 
that receives a high school credential and a workforce credential within 3 years. If the student 
completes one portion of the GATE program at one institution and another component at another 
institution, each institution would receive $500.  
 
The bill provides that if funding is insufficient to fully fund the calculated total award, such funds must be 
prorated among the institutions. 
 
Open Door Grant Program 
 
The bill makes adult secondary education programs, which are a component of the GATE Program, 
eligible for the Open Door Grant Program. 
 
Funds for the Operation of Workforce Programs 
 
The bill increases from two to four the number of courses that may be reported for funding for a student 
who is coenrolled in a K-12 education program and adult education program. The bill also removes the 
requirement that the courses funded must be core curricula. 
   
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II.  FISCAL ANALYSIS & ECONOMIC IMPACT STATEMENT 
 
A. FISCAL IMPACT ON STATE GOVERNMENT: 
 
1.  Revenues: 
 
 None. 
 
2. Expenditures: 
 
None. 
 
B. FISCAL IMPACT ON LOCAL GOVERNMENTS: 
 
1. Revenues: 
 
None. 
 
2. Expenditures: 
 
None. 
 
C. DIRECT ECONOMIC IMPACT ON PRIVATE SECTOR: 
 
See fiscal comments. 
 
D. FISCAL COMMENTS: 
 
The bill’s fiscal impact is indeterminate due to the unknown number of individuals who qualify for, and 
will choose to enroll in, the GATE program. However, during the 2022-2023 academic year, there were 
5,882 students who were 21 years of age or younger enrolled in GED programs at career centers or 
state colleges. This figure does not include the number of individuals not currently enrolled in an adult 
secondary education program or career education program who may learn of the GATE Program as a 
result of the statewide recruitment campaign or one of the bill’s other provisions to identify and engage 
eligible students.  
 
To the extent funding is provided, school districts and Florida College System institutions would incur 
the following costs to implement the GATE Program per student: 
 adult education tuition & fees ($90/student);  
 career education program tuition & fees ($2.33/hour);  
 lab equipment ($1,000/per student); and  
 instructional materials ($500/student).  
 
The bill requires institutions to waive 100 percent of the registration, tuition, laboratory, and examination 
fees and instructional materials costs. However, after a student’s first term in the GATE Program, the 
bill requires participating institutions to first apply Open Door Grant funds to pay student tuition & fees 
prior to waiving such costs and seeking reimbursement through the GATE Scholarship Program. 
Subject to the eligibility of funds, students participating in the program will also be eligible for a stipend 
to cover other educational expenses related to the cost of attendance through the Open Door Grant.  
 
Total costs per student and total number of students is unknown and will vary by institution and 
program type. However, for the 5,882 students enrolled in the 2022-2023 academic year, the fiscal 
impact of the waivers and subsequent institution reimbursements would be approximately $7M. 
   
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Funding for the GATE Scholarship Program, GATE Startup Grant Program, and GATE Program 
Performance Fund are subject to appropriation.