Considering Attending Aegis: FAQ’s, Answers, and Comparative Analyses
This page will provide you will a comprehensive overview of State of Florida legislation concerning private education and how our school square’s with the law regarding Florida high school graduation and diploma awarding, Florida Bright Futures Scholarship qualifications, other State of Florida merit and need based scholarships, and public/private school athletic partinerships. We will also show you how our grade 7-12 secondary school not only fulfills all public standards and expectations for Florida high school graduate and “Scholar Diploma” awarding but how we go far beyond these requirements to provide your child with an education that will uniquely position them for college admission and career success.
1. Definition and Requirements of a Private School
This information is found under Title XLVIII, Chapter 1002, Section 1002.41: Private Schools
1a. Definition of a “Private School” per SoFL regulation (click to expand)
Section (2): ”A ‘private school’ is a nonpublic school defined as an individual, association, copartnership, or corporation, or department, division, or section of such organizations, that designates itself as an educational center that includes kindergarten or a higher grade or as an elementary, secondary, business, technical, or trade school below college level or any organization that provides instructional services that meet the intent of s. 1003.01(13) or that gives preemployment or supplementary training in technology or in fields of trade or industry or that offers academic, literary, or career training below college level, or any combination of the above, including an institution that performs the functions of the above schools through correspondence or extension, except those licensed under the provisions of chapter 1005. A private school may be a parochial, religious, denominational, for-profit, or nonprofit school. This definition does not include home education programs conducted in accordance with s. 1002.41.
1b. Requirements of the Private School per SoFL regulation:
Faculty and Staff Fingerprinting: (expand)
Under paragraph c: “… each person who is an owner or who establishes, purchases, or otherwise becomes an owner of a private school shall, within 5 days of assuming ownership of a school, file with the Department of Law Enforcement a complete set of fingerprints for state processing and checking for criminal background. The fingerprints shall be taken by an authorized law enforcement officer or an employee of the school who is trained to take fingerprints. The costs of fingerprinting, criminal records checking, and processing shall be borne by the applicant or private school. The result of the criminal records checking by the Department of Law Enforcement shall be forwarded to the owner of the private school and shall be made available for public inspection in the private school office as soon as it is received.”
Under paragraph g: “The failure of any institution to submit the annual database survey form and notarized statement of compliance with the provisions of paragraph (c), as required by this section, shall be judged a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, proper authorities of such institution shall be subject to a fine not exceeding $500.”
Attendance Records and Reports: (expand)
Under section 4: “All officials, teachers, and other employees in parochial, religious, denominational, and private schools shall keep and prepare records in accordance with the provisions of s. 1003.23(2).”
School-Entry Health Examinations & Immunizations: (expand)
Under section 5, titled “HEALTH RECORDS”
- “The governing authority of each private school shall require students to present a certification of a school-entry health examination in accordance with the provisions of s. 1003.22(1) and (2).”
Under section 6, titled “IMMUNIZATIONS”: The governing authority of each private school shall:
- paragraph (a): ”Require students to present a certification of immunization in accordance with the provisions of s. 1003.22(3)-(11).”
- paragraph (b): ”Provide information on the importance of student health and available immunizations and vaccinations, including, but not limited to a recommended immunization schedule in accordance with United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations.”
2. Extracurricular Activities and Sports Partnership between Public and Private Schools
Extracurricular Activity Partnership between Public and Private Schools: According to Title XLVIII, Chapter 1006.15 “Early Learning-20 Education Code Support for Learning,” Student standards for participation in interscholastic and interscholastic extracurricular student activities; regulation.
Students attending a private school are allowed to participate in their local public school’s athletics program so long as they meet all the requirements of that athletic program (conduct, academics, try-outs, etc.). Public school are disallowed from discriminating against student athletes from private institutions wishing to participate in public school athletic programs.
2a. DISCRIMINATION CLAUSES:
Section (5): ”Any organization or entity that regulates or governs interscholastic extracurricular activities of public schools…. (b) Shall not discriminate against any eligible student based on an educational choice of public, private, or home education.”
Section (6): ”Public schools are prohibited from membership in any organization or entity which regulates or governs interscholastic extracurricular activities and discriminates against eligible students in public, private, or home education.”
2b. REGULATIONS CLAUSE (Section 8)
(a) ”The Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA), in cooperation with each district school board, shall facilitate a program in which a middle school or high school student who attends a private school shall be eligible to participate in an interscholastic or intrascholastic sport at a public high school, a public middle school, or a 6-12 public school to which the student would be assigned according to district school board attendance area policies and procedures or which the student could choose to attend pursuant to s. 1002.31, provided the public school has not reached capacity as determined by the district school board, if:
- The private school in which the student is enrolled is not a member of the FHSAA.
- The private school student meets the guidelines for the conduct of the program established by the FHSAA’s board of directors and the district school board. At a minimum, such guidelines shall provide:
- A deadline for each sport by which the private school student’s parents must register with the public school in writing their intent for their child to participate at that school in the sport.
- Requirements for a private school student to participate, including, but not limited to, meeting the same standards of eligibility, acceptance, behavior, educational progress, and performance which apply to other students participating in interscholastic or intrascholastic sports at a public school or FHSAA member private school.
(b) The parents of a private school student participating in a public school sport under this subsection are responsible for transporting their child to and from the public school at which the student participates. The private school the student attends, the public school at which the student participates in a sport, the district school board, and the FHSAA are exempt from civil liability arising from any injury that occurs to the student during such transportation.
(c) For each academic year, a private school student may only participate at the public school in which the student is first registered under sub-subparagraph (a)2.a. or makes himself or herself a candidate for an athletic team by engaging in a practice.
(d) The athletic director of each participating FHSAA member public school shall maintain the student records necessary for eligibility, compliance, and participation in the program.
(e) Any non-FHSAA member private school that has a student who wishes to participate in this program must make all student records, including, but not limited to, academic, financial, disciplinary, and attendance records, available upon request of the FHSAA.
(f) A student must apply to participate in this program through the FHSAA program application process.
(g) Only students who are enrolled in non-FHSAA member private schools consisting of 125 students or fewer are eligible to participate in the program in any given academic year.
3. State of Florida Educational Scholarships, Fees, and Financial Assistance (Chapter 1009)
This information is outlined in Chapter 1009 of Title XLVIII (58) of the State of Florida law under the title “EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS, FEES, AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE“
3a. General requirements for student eligibility for state financial aid awards and tuition assistance grants (1009.40)
The general requirements for eligibility of students for state financial aid awards and tuition assistance grants consist of the following:
- “Achievement of the academic requirements of and acceptance at a state university or Florida College System institution; 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 State Board of Education; 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 State Board of Education.”
- “Residency in this state for no less than 1 year preceding the award of aid or a tuition assistance grant for a program established pursuant to s. 1009.50, s. 1009.505, s. 1009.51, s. 1009.52, s. 1009.53, s. 1009.60, s. 1009.62, s. 1009.72, s. 1009.73, s. 1009.75, s. 1009.77, s. 1009.89, or s. 1009.894. Residency in this state must be for purposes other than to obtain an education. Resident status for purposes of receiving state financial aid awards shall be determined in the same manner as resident status for tuition purposes pursuant to s. 1009.21.”
- “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….”
- “No student is eligible to receive more than one state scholarship that is based on academic merit. Students who qualify for more than one such scholarship shall be notified of all awards for which they qualify and shall be provided the opportunity to accept one of their choosing.”
3b. Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program (Chapter 1009.53)
This information is found under the Bright Futures Scholarship Program in chapter 1009.53-1009.531.
(1) The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program is created to establish 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.
1009.531 Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program; student eligibility requirements for initial awards.
In order to be eligible for an initial award from any of the scholarships under the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program, a student must:
(a) Be a Florida resident as defined in s. 1009.40 and rules of the State Board of Education.
(b) Earn a standard Florida high school diploma pursuant to s. 1002.3105(5), s. 1003.4281, or s. 1003.4282 or a high school equivalency diploma pursuant to s. 1003.435 unless:
- The student completes a home education program according to s. 1002.41;
- The student earns a high school diploma from a non-Florida school while living with a parent or guardian who is on military or public service assignment away from Florida; or
- The student earns a high school diploma from a Florida private school operating pursuant to s. 1002.42.
(c) Be accepted by and enroll in an eligible Florida public or independent postsecondary education institution.
(d) Be enrolled for at least 6 semester credit hours or the equivalent in quarter hours or clock hours.
(e) Not have been found guilty of, or entered a plea of nolo contendere to, a felony charge, unless the student has been granted clemency by the Governor and Cabinet sitting as the Executive Office of Clemency.
(f) Apply for a scholarship from the program by high school graduation. However, a student who graduates from high school midyear must apply no later than December 31 of the student’s graduation year in order to be evaluated for and, if eligible, receive an award for the current academic year.
3c. Florida Academic Scholars Award (Chapter 1009.534)
This information is found in two places: Chapter 1009.534 entitled “Florida Academic Scholars award“ and under 1009.531, section (6) of Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program; student eligibility requirements for initial awards.
A student is eligible for a Florida Academic Scholars award if he or she meets the general eligibility requirements for the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program and:
(a) ”Has achieved a 3.5 weighted grade point average as calculated pursuant to s. 1009.531, or its equivalent, in high school courses that are designated by the State Board of Education as college-preparatory academic courses and has attained at least the score required under s. 1009.531(6)(a) on the combined verbal and quantitative parts of the Scholastic Aptitude Test, the Scholastic Assessment Test, or the recentered Scholastic Assessment Test of the College Entrance Examination, or an equivalent score on the ACT Assessment Program;”
(b) ”Has attended a home education program according to s. 1002.41 during grades 11 and 12, has completed the International Baccalaureate curriculum but failed to earn the International Baccalaureate Diploma, or has completed the Advanced International Certificate of Education curriculum but failed to earn the Advanced International Certificate of Education Diploma, and has attained at least the score required under s. 1009.531(6)(a) on the combined verbal and quantitative parts of the Scholastic Aptitude Test, the Scholastic Assessment Test, or the recentered Scholastic Assessment Test of the College Entrance Examination, or an equivalent score on the ACT Assessment Program;”
(c) ”Has been awarded an International Baccalaureate Diploma from the International Baccalaureate Office or an Advanced International Certificate of Education Diploma from the University of Cambridge International Examinations Office;”
(d) ”Has been recognized by the merit or achievement programs of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation as a scholar or finalist; or”
(e) ”Has been recognized by the National Hispanic Recognition Program as a scholar recipient.”
“The student must complete a program of volunteer service or, beginning with a high school student graduating in the 2022-2023 academic year and thereafter, paid work, as approved by the district school board, the administrators of a nonpublic school, or the Department of Education for home education program students, which must include 100 hours of volunteer service or paid work. The student may identify a social or civic issue or a professional area that interests him or her and develop a plan for his or her personal involvement in addressing the issue or learning about the area. The student must, through papers or other presentations, evaluate and reflect upon his or her volunteer service or paid work experience. Such volunteer service or paid 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. The hours of volunteer service or paid work must be documented in writing, and the document must be signed by the student, the student’s parent or guardian, and a representative of the organization for which the student performed the volunteer service or paid work.”
Under 1009.531, section (6) of Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program; student eligibility requirements for initial awards, it is also noted that
(6)(a) ”The State Board of Education shall publicize the examination score required for a student to be eligible for a Florida Academic Scholars award, pursuant to s. 1009.534(1)(a) or (b), as follows:”
1. ”For high school students graduating in the 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 academic years, a student must achieve an SAT combined score of 1290 or an ACT composite score of 29.“
2. ”For high school students graduating in the 2020-2021 academic year and thereafter, a student must achieve the required examination scores published by the department, which are determined as provided in paragraph (c).”
3d. Florida Medallion Scholars Award (Chapter 1009.535)
This information is found in two places: Chapter 1009.535 entitled “Florida MEdallion Scholars award” and and under 1009.531, section (6) of Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program; student eligibility requirements for initial awards.
A student is eligible for a Florida Medallion Scholars award if he or she meets the general eligibility requirements for the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program and:
(a) ”Has achieved a weighted grade point average of 3.0 as calculated pursuant to s. 1009.531, or the equivalent, in high school courses that are designated by the State Board of Education as college-preparatory academic courses and has attained at least the score required under s. 1009.531(6)(b) on the combined verbal and quantitative parts of the Scholastic Aptitude Test, the Scholastic Assessment Test, or the recentered Scholastic Assessment Test of the College Entrance Examination, or an equivalent score on the ACT Assessment Program;”
(b) ”Has completed the International Baccalaureate curriculum but failed to earn the International Baccalaureate Diploma or has completed the Advanced International Certificate of Education curriculum but failed to earn the Advanced International Certificate of Education Diploma, and has attained at least the score required under s. 1009.531(6)(b) on the combined verbal and quantitative parts of the Scholastic Aptitude Test, the Scholastic Assessment Test, or the recentered Scholastic Assessment Test of the College Entrance Examination, or an equivalent score on the ACT Assessment Program;”
(c) ”Has attended a home education program according to s. 1002.41 during grades 11 and 12 and has attained at least the score required under s. 1009.531(6)(b) on the combined verbal and quantitative parts of the Scholastic Aptitude Test, the Scholastic Assessment Test, or the recentered Scholastic Assessment Test of the College Entrance Examination, or an equivalent score on the ACT Assessment Program;”
(d) ”Has been recognized by the merit or achievement program of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation as a scholar or finalist but has not completed the program of volunteer service or paid work required under s. 1009.534; or”
(e) ”Has been recognized by the National Hispanic Recognition Program as a scholar, but has not completed the program of volunteer service or paid work required under s. 1009.534.”
“A high school student must complete at least 75 hours of volunteer service or, beginning with a high school student graduating in the 2022-2023 academic year and thereafter, 100 hours of paid work approved by the district school board, the administrators of a nonpublic school, or the Department of Education for home education program students. The student may identify a social or civic issue or a professional area that interests him or her and develop a plan for his or her personal involvement in addressing the issue or learning about the area. The student must, through papers or other presentations, evaluate and reflect upon his or her volunteer service or paid work experience. Such volunteer service or paid 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. The hours of volunteer service or paid work must be documented in writing, and the document must be signed by the student, the student’s parent or guardian, and a representative of the organization for which the student performed the volunteer service or paid work.”
Under 1009.531, section (6) of Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program; student eligibility requirements for initial awards, it is also noted that
(b) ”The State Board of Education shall publicize the examination score required for a student to be eligible for a Florida Medallion Scholars award, pursuant to s. 1009.535(1)(a) or (b), as follows:”
1. ”For high school students graduating in the 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 academic years, a student must achieve an SAT combined score of 1170 or an ACT composite score of 26.”
2. ”For high school students graduating in the 2020-2021 academic year and thereafter, a student must achieve the required examination scores published by the department, which are determined as provided in paragraph (c).”
4. State of Florida High School Diploma Requirements and Regulations
Note that all regulations in this section pertain only to public schools in the state of Florida; any private school need no abide by these regulations. However, Aegis Institute will fullfill all the expectations of a high school diploa as per the regulations of the State of Florida to assure that our graduates do qualify for such a diploma if they desire it.
4a. Definition of a “Credit” (Chapter 1003.436)
This definition can be found at 1003.436: Definition of “credit.”
“For the purposes of requirements for high school graduation, one full credit means a minimum of 135 hours of bona fide instruction in a designated course of study that contains student performance standards, except as otherwise provided through the Credit Acceleration Program (CAP) under s. 1003.4295(3). One full credit means a minimum of 120 hours of bona fide instruction in a designated course of study that contains student performance standards for purposes of meeting high school graduation requirements in a district school that has been authorized to implement block scheduling by the district school board. The State Board of Education shall determine the number of postsecondary credit hours earned through dual enrollment pursuant to s. 1007.271 that satisfy the requirements of a dual enrollment articulation agreement according to s. 1007.271(21) and that equal one full credit of the equivalent high school course identified pursuant to s. 1007.271(9).”
4b. Requirements for a standard high school diploma (Chapter 1003.4282)
4b.(1) Twenty-four (24) credits required (click to expand)
(a) Beginning with students entering grade 9 in the 2013-2014 school year, receipt of a standard high school diploma requires successful completion of 24 credits, an International Baccalaureate curriculum, or an Advanced International Certificate of Education curriculum.
(b) The required credits may be earned through equivalent, applied, or integrated courses or career education courses as defined in s. 1003.01(4), including work-related internships approved by the State Board of Education and identified in the course code directory. However, any must-pass assessment requirements must be met. An equivalent course is one or more courses identified by content-area experts as being a match to the core curricular content of another course, based upon review of the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards for that subject. An applied course aligns with Next Generation Sunshine State Standards and includes real-world applications of a career and technical education standard used in business or industry. An integrated course includes content from several courses within a content area or across content areas.
4b.(2) Notification Requirements (click to expand)
The school district must notify students and parents, in writing, of the requirements for a standard high school diploma, available designations, and the eligibility requirements for state scholarship programs and postsecondary admissions. The Department of Education shall directly and through the school districts notify registered private schools of public high school course credit and assessment requirements. Each private school must make this information available to students and their parents so they are aware of public high school graduation requirements.
4b.(3) Standard High School Diploma Course and Assessment Requirements:
(a) Four credits in English Language Arts (ELA)
The four credits must be in ELA I, II, III, and IV. A student must pass the statewide, standardized grade 10 ELA assessment, or earn a concordant score, in order to earn a standard high school diploma.
(b) Four credits in mathematics
- A student must earn one credit in Algebra I and one credit in Geometry. A student’s performance on the statewide, standardized Algebra I end-of-course (EOC) assessment constitutes 30 percent of the student’s final course grade. A student must pass the statewide, standardized Algebra I EOC assessment, or earn a comparative score, in order to earn a standard high school diploma. A student’s performance on the statewide, standardized Geometry EOC assessment constitutes 30 percent of the student’s final course grade.
- A student who earns an industry certification for which there is a statewide college credit articulation agreement approved by the State Board of Education may substitute the certification for one mathematics credit. Substitution may occur for up to two mathematics credits, except for Algebra I and Geometry. A student may earn two mathematics credits by successfully completing Algebra I through two full-year courses. A certified school counselor or the principal’s designee must advise the student that admission to a state university may require the student to earn 3 additional mathematics credits that are at least as rigorous as Algebra I.
- A student who earns a computer science credit may substitute the credit for up to one credit of the mathematics requirement, with the exception of Algebra I and Geometry, if the commissioner identifies the computer science credit as being equivalent in rigor to the mathematics credit. An identified computer science credit may not be used to substitute for both a mathematics and a science credit. A student who earns an industry certification in 3D rapid prototype printing may satisfy up to two credits of the mathematics requirement, with the exception of Algebra I, if the commissioner identifies the certification as being equivalent in rigor to the mathematics credit or credits.
(c) Three credits in science
- Two of the three required credits must have a laboratory component. A student must earn one credit in Biology I and two credits in equally rigorous courses. The statewide, standardized Biology I EOC assessment constitutes 30 percent of the student’s final course grade.
- A student who earns an industry certification for which there is a statewide college credit articulation agreement approved by the State Board of Education may substitute the certification for one science credit, except for Biology I.
- A student who earns a computer science credit may substitute the credit for up to one credit of the science requirement, with the exception of Biology I, if the commissioner identifies the computer science credit as being equivalent in rigor to the science credit. An identified computer science credit may not be used to substitute for both a mathematics and a science credit.
(d) Three credits in social studies
A student must earn one credit in United States History; one credit in World History; one-half credit in economics; and one-half credit in United States Government, which must include a comparative discussion of political ideologies, such as communism and totalitarianism, that conflict with the principles of freedom and democracy essential to the founding principles of the United States. The United States History EOC assessment constitutes 30 percent of the student’s final course grade. Beginning with the 2021-2022 school year, students taking the United States Government course are required to take the assessment of civic literacy identified by the State Board of Education pursuant to s. 1007.25(5). Students earning a passing score on the assessment are exempt from the postsecondary civic literacy assessment required by s. 1007.25(5).
(e) One credit in fine or performing arts, speech and debate, or practical arts
The practical arts course must incorporate artistic content and techniques of creativity, interpretation, and imagination. Eligible practical arts courses are identified in the Course Code Directory.
(f) One credit in physical education
Physical education must include the integration of health. Participation in an interscholastic sport at the junior varsity or varsity level for two full seasons shall satisfy the one-credit requirement in physical education. A district school board may not require that the one credit in physical education be taken during the 9th grade year. Completion of one semester with a grade of “C” or better in a marching band class, in a physical activity class that requires participation in marching band activities as an extracurricular activity, or in a dance class shall satisfy one-half credit in physical education or one-half credit in performing arts. This credit may not be used to satisfy the personal fitness requirement or the requirement for adaptive physical education under an individual education plan (IEP) or 504 plan. Completion of 2 years in a Reserve Officer Training Corps (R.O.T.C.) class, a significant component of which is drills, shall satisfy the one-credit requirement in physical education and the one-credit requirement in performing arts. This credit may not be used to satisfy the personal fitness requirement or the requirement for adaptive physical education under an IEP or 504 plan.
(g) Credits in electives
School districts must develop and offer coordinated electives so that a student may develop knowledge and skills in his or her area of interest, such as electives with a STEM or liberal arts focus. Such electives must include opportunities for students to earn college credit, including industry-certified career education programs or series of career-themed courses that result in industry certification or articulate into the award of college credit, or career education courses for which there is a statewide or local articulation agreement and which lead to college credit. A student entering grade 9 before the 2023-2024 school year must earn eight credits in electives. A student entering grade 9 in the 2023-2024 school year or thereafter must earn seven and one-half credits in electives.
(h) One-half credit in personal financial literacy
Beginning with students entering grade 9 in the 2023-2024 school year, each student must earn one-half credit in personal financial literacy and money management. This instruction must include discussion of or instruction in all of the following:
- Types of bank accounts offered, opening and managing a bank account, and assessing the quality of a depository institution’s services.
- Balancing a checkbook.
- Basic principles of money management, such as spending, credit, credit scores, and managing debt, including retail and credit card debt.
- Completing a loan application.
- Receiving an inheritance and related implications.
- Basic principles of personal insurance policies.
- Computing federal income taxes.
- Local tax assessments.
- Computing interest rates by various mechanisms.
- Simple contracts.
- Contesting an incorrect billing statement.
- Types of savings and investments.
- State and federal laws concerning finance.
(4) Online or Blended Learning Course Requirement
At least one course within the 24 credits required under this section must be completed through online learning.
(a) An online course taken in grade 6, grade 7, or grade 8 fulfills the requirements of this subsection. The requirement is met through an online course offered by the Florida Virtual School, a virtual education provider approved by the State Board of Education, a high school, or an online dual enrollment course. A student who is enrolled in a full-time or part-time virtual instruction program under s. 1002.45 meets the requirement.
(b) A district school board or a charter school governing board, as applicable, may allow a student to satisfy the online course requirements of this subsection by completing a blended learning course or a course in which the student earns a nationally recognized industry certification in information technology that is identified on the CAPE Industry Certification Funding List pursuant to s. 1008.44 or passing the information technology certification examination without enrolling in or completing the corresponding course or courses, as applicable.
DEFINITION OF “BLENDED LEARNING COURSE from Chapter 1003.498, “School district virtual course offerings“: “(1) School districts may deliver courses in the traditional school setting by personnel certified pursuant to s. 1012.55 who provide direct instruction through virtual instruction or through blended learning courses consisting of both traditional classroom and online instructional techniques.”
4c. Award of a Standard High School Diploma (section 6)
paragraph (a) states “A student who earns a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale and meets the requirements of this section or s. 1002.3105(5) shall be awarded a standard high school diploma in a form prescribed by the State Board of Education.”
4d. Uniform Transfer of High School Credits (section 7)
“Beginning with the 2012-2013 school year, if a student transfers to a Florida public high school from out of country, out of state, a private school, or a home education program and the student’s transcript shows a credit in Algebra I, the student must pass the statewide, standardized Algebra I EOC assessment in order to earn a standard high school diploma unless the student earned a comparative score, passed a statewide assessment in Algebra I administered by the transferring entity, or passed the statewide mathematics assessment the transferring entity uses to satisfy the requirements of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), 20 U.S.C. ss. 6301 et seq. If a student’s transcript shows a credit in high school reading or English Language Arts II or III, in order to earn a standard high school diploma, the student must take and pass the statewide, standardized grade 10 ELA assessment, or earn a concordant score. If a transfer student’s transcript shows a final course grade and course credit in Algebra I, Geometry, Biology I, or United States History, the transferring course final grade and credit shall be honored without the student taking the requisite statewide, standardized EOC assessment and without the assessment results constituting 30 percent of the student’s final course grade.”
4e. Diploma Designations (The State of Florida Scholar Diploma)
This information is found in chapter 1003.4285, “Standard high school diploma designations.“
Scholar designation: In addition to the requirements of s. 1003.4282, in order to earn the Scholar designation, a student must satisfy the following requirements:
- Mathematics.—Earn one credit in Algebra II or an equally rigorous course and one credit in statistics or an equally rigorous course. Beginning with students entering grade 9 in the 2014-2015 school year, pass the Geometry statewide, standardized assessment.
- Science.—Pass the statewide, standardized Biology I EOC assessment and earn one credit in chemistry or physics and one credit in a course equally rigorous to chemistry or physics. However, a student enrolled in an Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), or Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) Biology course who takes the respective AP, IB, or AICE Biology assessment and earns the minimum score necessary to earn college credit as identified pursuant to s. 1007.27(2) meets the requirement of this subparagraph without having to take the statewide, standardized Biology I EOC assessment.
- Social studies.—Pass the statewide, standardized United States History EOC assessment. However, a student enrolled in an AP, IB, or AICE course that includes United States History topics who takes the respective AP, IB, or AICE assessment and earns the minimum score necessary to earn college credit as identified pursuant to s. 1007.27(2) meets the requirement of this subparagraph without having to take the statewide, standardized United States History EOC assessment.
- Foreign language.—Earn two credits in the same foreign language.
- Electives.—Earn at least one credit in an Advanced Placement, an International Baccalaureate, an Advanced International Certificate of Education, or a dual enrollment course.
5. State Academic Standards
Note that all regulations in this section pertain only to public schools in the state of Florida; any private school need no abide by these regulations. However, Aegis Institute will fullfill all the expectations of a high school diploa as per the regulations of the State of Florida to assure that our graduates do qualify for such a diploma if they desire it.
This information is contained in chapter 1003.41, “State academic standards”
Section 1 states “The state academic standards establish the core content of the curricula to be taught in the state and specify the core content knowledge and skills that K-12 public school students are expected to acquire. Standards must be rigorous and relevant and provide for the logical, sequential progression of core curricular content that incrementally increases a student’s core content knowledge and skills over time. Curricular content for all subjects must integrate critical-thinking, problem-solving, and workforce-literacy skills; communication, reading, and writing skills; mathematics skills; collaboration skills; contextual and applied-learning skills; technology-literacy skills; information and media-literacy skills; and civic-engagement skills. The standards must include distinct grade-level expectations for the core content knowledge and skills that a student is expected to have acquired by each individual grade level from kindergarten through grade 8. The standards for grades 9 through 12 may be organized by grade clusters of more than one grade level except as otherwise provided for visual and performing arts, physical education, health, and foreign language standards.”
Section 2 states that the state academic standards must meet the following requirements:
(a) English Language Arts standards must establish specific curricular content for, at a minimum, reading, writing, speaking and listening, and language.
(b) Science standards must establish specific curricular content for, at a minimum, the nature of science, earth and space science, physical science, and life science.
(c) Mathematics standards must establish specific curricular content for, at a minimum, algebra, geometry, statistics and probability, number and quantity, functions, and modeling.
(d) Social Studies standards must establish specific curricular content for, at a minimum, geography, United States and world history, government, civics, humanities, economics, and financial literacy. Effective for students entering grade 9 in the 2023-2024 school year and thereafter, financial literacy standards must establish specific curricular content for, at a minimum, personal financial literacy and money management and include instruction in the areas specified in s. 1003.4282(3)(h).
(e) Visual and performing arts, physical education, health, and foreign language standards must establish specific curricular content and include distinct grade-level expectations for the core content knowledge and skills that a student is expected to have acquired by each individual grade level from kindergarten through grade 5. The standards for grades 6 through 12 may be organized by grade clusters of more than one grade level.