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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
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An act relating to requirements for a standard high 2
school diploma; amending s. 1003.4282, F.S.; providing 3
that completion of 2 years of marching band satisfies 4
both the physical education and performing arts 5
requirements for a standard high school diploma; 6
providing that students with disabilities may 7
participate in the Special Olympics to meet the 8
physical education requirement for a standard high 9
school diploma; providing an effective date. 10
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Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 12
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Section 1. Paragraph (f) of subsection (3) and paragraph 14
(b) of subsection (8) of section 1003.4282, Florida Statutes, 15
are amended to read: 16
1003.4282 Requirements for a standard high school 17
diploma.— 18
(3) STANDARD HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA; COURSE AND ASSESSMENT 19
REQUIREMENTS.— 20
(f) One credit in physical education.—Physical education 21
must include the integration of health. Participation in an 22
interscholastic sport at the junior varsity or varsity level for 23
two full seasons shall satisfy the one-credit requirement in 24
physical education. A district school board may not require that 25
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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
the one credit in physical education be taken during the 9th 26
grade year. Completion of 2 years of marching band shall satisfy 27
the one-credit requirement in physical education and or the one-28
credit requirement in performing arts. This credit may not be 29
used to satisfy the personal fitness requirement or the 30
requirement for adaptive physical education under an individual 31
education plan (IEP) or 504 plan. Completion of one semester 32
with a grade of "C" or better in a marching band class, in a 33
physical activity class that requires participation in marching 34
band activities as an extracurricular activity, or in a dance 35
class shall satisfy one-half credit in physical education or 36
one-half credit in performing arts. This credit may not be used 37
to satisfy the personal fitness requirement or the requirement 38
for adaptive physical education under an IEP or 504 plan. 39
Completion of 2 years in a Reserve Officer Training Corps 40
(R.O.T.C.) class, a significant component of which is drills, 41
shall satisfy the one-credit requirement in physical education 42
and the one-credit requirement in performing arts. This credit 43
may not be used to satisfy the personal fitness requirement or 44
the requirement for adaptive physical education under an IEP or 45
504 plan. 46
(8) STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES.—Beginning with students 47
entering grade 9 in the 2014-2015 school year, this subsection 48
applies to a student with a disability. 49
(b) The following options, in addition to the other 50
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options specified in this section, may be used to satisfy the 51
standard high school diploma requirements, as specified in the 52
student's individual education plan: 53
1. For a student with a disability for whom the IEP team 54
has determined that the Florida Alternate Assessment is the most 55
appropriate measure of the student's skills: 56
a. A combination of course substitutions, assessments, 57
industry certifications, other acceleration options, or 58
occupational completion points appropriate to the student's 59
unique skills and abilities that meet the criteria established 60
by State Board of Education rule. 61
b. A portfolio of quantifiable evidence that documents a 62
student's mastery of academic standards through rigorous metrics 63
established by State Board of Education rule. A portfolio may 64
include, but is not limited to, documentation of work 65
experience, internships, community service, and postsecondary 66
credit. 67
2. A student with a disability may participate in the 68
Special Olympics as a course substitution for the physical 69
education requirement under paragraph (3)(f). A student who 70
chooses this option must participate in the Special Olympics for 71
one school year, as determined by the student's IEP team. 72
3. For a student with a disability for whom the IEP team 73
has determined that mastery of academic and employment 74
competencies is the most appropriate way for a student to 75
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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
demonstrate his or her skills: 76
a. Documented completion of the minimum high school 77
graduation requirements, including the number of course credits 78
prescribed by rules of the State Board of Education. 79
b. Documented achievement of all annual goals and short-80
term objectives for academic and employment competencies, 81
industry certifications, and occupational completion points 82
specified in the student's transition plan. The documentation 83
must be verified by the IEP team. 84
c. Documented successful employment for the number of 85
hours per week specified in the student's transition plan, for 86
the equivalent of 1 semester, and payment of a minimum wage in 87
compliance with the requirements of the federal Fair Labor 88
Standards Act. 89
d. Documented mastery of the academic and employment 90
competencies, industry certifications, and occupational 91
completion points specified in the student's transition plan. 92
The documentation must be verified by the IEP team, the 93
employer, and the teacher. The transition plan must be developed 94
and signed by the student, parent, teacher, and employer before 95
placement in employment and must identify the following: 96
(I) The expected academic and employment competencies, 97
industry certifications, and occupational completion points; 98
(II) The criteria for determining and certifying mastery 99
of the competencies; 100
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(III) The work schedule and the minimum number of hours to 101
be worked per week; and 102
(IV) A description of the supervision to be provided by 103
the school district. 104
4.3. Any change to the high school graduation option 105
specified in the student's IEP must be approved by the parent 106
and is subject to verification for appropriateness by an 107
independent reviewer selected by the parent as provided in s. 108
1003.572. 109
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The State Board of Education shall adopt rules under ss. 111
120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement this subsection, including 112
rules that establish the minimum requirements for students 113
described in this subsection to earn a standard high school 114
diploma. The State Board of Education shall adopt emergency 115
rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54. 116
Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026. 117