What Counts
SB 21220, Chapter No. 2011-55, redefines the terms “core-curricula courses”. Prior to these changes, core course were defined by the Department of Education as mathematics, language arts/reading, science, social studies, foreign language, English for Speakers of Other Languages, exceptional student education, and course taught in traditional, self-contained elementary school classrooms. Under the bill, the courses meeting the definition are specified by grade levels, subjects measured by state assessments, high school graduation requirements, and subgroups of students. They are:
· Language arts/reading, mathematics, social studies, and science courses in prekindergarten through grade 3;
· Courses in grades 4 through 8 in subjects that are measured by state assessment at any grade level and courses required for middle school promotion;
· Courses in grades 9 through 12 in subjects that are measured by state assessment at any grade level;
· Courses that are specifically identified by name in statute as required for high school graduation and that are not measured by state assessments, excluding any extracurricular courses;
· Exceptional student education courses; and
· English for Speakers of Other Languages courses.
· The term “extracurricular courses” is further redefined so that courses that may result in college credit would not meet the definition and fall within the cap.
Exceeding the Cap
Under the bill, a timeframe is specified for satisfying and maintaining class size maximums, with specific exceptions for an extreme emergency beyond the district’s control and when a student enrolls after the October survey period. Based on a school district’s determination that assigning the student would be impractical, educationally unsound, or disruptive to student learning, a student could be assigned to an existing class that temporarily exceeds the class size maximums. However, the additional number of students who can be assigned to a teacher above the maximum may not exceed the following:
· Prekindergarten through 3rd grade, up to three students above the maximum;
· 4th grade through 8th grade, up to five students above the maximum: and
· 9th grade through 12th grade, up to five students above the maximum
· For a core-curricula high school course in which a student in grades 4 through 8 is enrolled for high school graduation credit, the maximum number of students would be 25.
Background:
Florida high school students are currently required to complete 24 credits in order to earn a high school diploma. Beginning in the 2010-2011 school year, high school graduation requirements are increased to include more courses. Students will be required to pass statewide, standardized end-of-course (EOC) assessments in specific courses beginning with the 2011-2012 school year. Beginning with students entering grade 9 in the following school years, courses include Geometry (2010-2011), Biology I (2011-2012), Algebra II (2012-2013), Chemistry or physics (2013-2014), and an additional science course (2013-2014). These courses would be considered core classes.
The DOE notes that in 2010-2011, there were 849 core courses. Under the current bill, there would be 303 core courses. The decrease is primarily due to foreign languages, honors and advanced courses at the middle and secondary grade levels, courses without state assessments, and courses that are not required for graduation at the middle and high school level, not meeting the revised definition.