1. Can public school districts and schools deny access to a Florida Virtual School (FLVS) course?

No. Section 1002.37(3(c), F. S., clearly states that school districts may not limit access to FLVS courses. However, the school counselor will determine if the course is academically appropriate for the student based upon course prerequisites and the student’s academic history and age.

2. Can public schools deny access to an FLVS course if the school offers the same course?

No. The Department of Education issued DPS Memo 05-036, Student Progression Plan Revision Charts 2004-2005 Correction, which clarifies that schools may not deny access even if they offer the same course. The DPS memorandum that addresses this may be viewed at: http://info.fldoe.org/dscgi/ds.py/Get/File-2441/05-036.pdf.

3. Can a student be enrolled in the same course at the traditional public school and at FLVS at the same time?

No. A student cannot enroll in the same course concurrently at two different public schools.

4. Section 1001.42(21), F.S., requires school districts to provide access to FLVS during or after the normal school day and through summer school enrollment. What does this mean?

Students indicating a desire to take courses with FLVS during the summer, or during and/or after the normal scope of a school day, must be allowed access to FLVS courses. Access means the student must be allowed to take an FLVS course as part of the student’s full day curriculum (during the school day), in addition to the normal school day (e.g., 7^th period), and during the summer term. For a student choosing to take an FLVS course as part of his or her full day of instruction, the school should make every effort to provide a place for the student to access FLVS content at the school site or allow the student to access the FLVS course at another location.

5. Can a district limit the number of credits a student may earn at FLVS based on school board policy that limits the number of credits a student may earn in one or more school years?

No. Florida Statutes place no limits on the number of credits a student may earn at FLVS during a single school year or multiple school years.

6. Can a district limit the number of courses a student may take from FLVS during the school day by requiring the student to take a minimum number of courses at the traditional school?

No. The law sets no minimum or maximum number of courses a student may take from FLVS during the school day.

7. How many courses may a student take from FLVS and still earn a high school diploma from his or her district of residence?

Students should check with their school districts of residence to obtain information about district policies for earning a diploma. FLVS is a regionally–accredited public school like many other traditional public schools in Florida. Thus, district policies regarding awarding diplomas and student movement/transfers among accredited public schools should also apply to students earning credits from FLVS.

FLVS does not award high school diplomas. However, full-time FLVS students can be admitted to colleges and/or universities and receive Bright Futures Scholarships based upon completion of the required high school courses, grade point average, college entrance exam score, and other admission criteria. FLVS has a guidance department info@flvs.net and information regarding planning for education beyond high school at the following web address:

http://www.flvs.net/students_parents/index_of_links_sp.php

8. Does the required access to FLVS include middle school courses, even though middle school students only receive grades and do not earn “credits” for completion?

When speaking of access to FLVS courses, Florida Statute does not differentiate between middle and high school content. Therefore, students have access to both middle and high school courses. However, middle school students who want to take high school courses should check with their guidance counselors about district policies related to this. For purposes of funding, the DOE has taken the position that successful completion of middle school courses is equal to credit earned.

9. Must receiving public schools accept credits and course completions from Florida Virtual School?

Yes, this is the intent of state law.

10. Must receiving schools accept FLVS credits at face value? In other words, can a student take an honors course at FLVS and be refused the honors designation on the student’s transcript after completion of the course?

Section 1001.42(21), F.S., lists the duty of the district school board to provide students with access to enroll in courses available through the Florida Virtual School and to award credit for successful completion. The following points further require the acceptance of FLVS credits.

Florida Virtual School is funded through the Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP).

                       SBE Rule 6A-1.09441, FAC, requires that courses which are funded through the FEFP and courses for which students may earn credit toward high school graduation must be listed in the Course Code Directory.

                       The Course Code Directory, which is incorporated into rule, also states that districts must use course numbers and official abbreviated titles as listed in this directory on permanent records and report cards. Honors courses have different numbers and short titles than the related general courses. All FLVS courses are based on the Sunshine State Standards and are listed in the Course Code Directory. Thus, they are the same courses offered in traditional public schools.

                       SBE Rule 6A-1.09941, FAC, requires that credits earned and offered for acceptance shall be based on official transcripts and shall be accepted at face value, subject to validation if required by the receiving school’s accreditation.

                       Florida Virtual School is regionally accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). When schools are accredited by SACS, they agree to accept credits from other SACS-accredited or regionally-accredited schools at face value.

Therefore, for students’ permanent records, FLVS transfer credits should be treated as other transfer credits for courses listed in the Course Code Directory and/or from regionally-accredited Florida public schools.

However, the methodology for the grade point average (GPA) calculations to determine class rank and valedictorian or salutatorian status is determined at the local level. FLVS credits should be addressed in the same manner as other transfer credits from regionally-accredited Florida

public schools. District and school policies regarding the determination of class rank and academic honors should be addressed with the student before the student takes the FLVS course.

11. Can adult students enroll in FLVS courses?

No. Adult students cannot enroll in FLVS courses. However, FLVS has revised some courses to be used for adult students for the Florida Adult and Technical Distance Education Consortium (FATDEC). The public school districts in this consortium are working together to deliver curriculum in a web-based environment for adult education and career technical programs in Florida's secondary and postsecondary public institutions. FLVS provides the online courses to the districts and trains the teachers, but does not teach the courses. The following website has additional information about this consortium and which districts are members: http://www.fatdec.com.

12. What statutes address FLVS as a school choice option?

Numerous statutes address FLVS as a school choice option for parents, students and school districts. These are listed as follows:

Section 1002.20(6), F.S., regarding K12 student and parent rights includes the Florida Virtual School as an option for parental choice.

Section 1002.37(3)(c), F.S., clearly states that districts may not limit student access to courses offered by the Florida Virtual School.

Section 1001.42(15)(a), F.S., includes as a duty of the district school board the requirement to adopt procedures to inform the general public of the educational programs, needs, and objectives of public education, including the educational opportunities available through the Florida Virtual School.

Section 1001.42(21), F.S., lists a duty of the district school board to provide students with access to enroll in courses available through the Florida Virtual School and to award credit for successful completion. It also stipulates that access shall be available to students during or after the school day and during summer school enrollment.

Section 1003.02(1)(i), F.S., requires school boards to notify parents at the beginning of the school year about acceleration mechanisms, including the opportunity and benefits of Florida Virtual School courses.

Section 1003.03(3)(b), F.S., relating to maximum class size requirements provides, as an implementation option, the adoption of policies to encourage students to take courses from the Florida Virtual School.

Section 1000.04(4), F.S., designates the Florida Virtual School as a component of the delivery of public education within Florida’s K-20 education system.

Section 1007.27(1), F.S., states that it is the intent of the Legislature that a variety of articulated acceleration mechanisms be available to public secondary and postsecondary students and lists the Florida Virtual School as one of those acceleration options.