(1) Each standard high school diploma shall include, as applicable, the following designations if the student meets the criteria set forth for the designation:
(a) 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:
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Foreign language.—Earn two credits in the same foreign language.
5. Electives.—Earn at least one credit in an Advanced Placement, an International Baccalaureate, an Advanced International Certificate of Education, or a dual enrollment course.
(b) Merit designation.—In addition to the requirements of s. 1003.4282, in order to earn the Merit designation, a student must attain one or more industry certifications from the list established under s. 1003.492.
(2) Students and parents shall be provided information about diploma designations through an online education and career planning tool, which allows students to monitor their progress toward the attainment of each designation.
(3) The State Board of Education may make recommendations to the Legislature regarding the establishment of additional designations.
History.—s. 8, ch. 2008-235; s. 4, ch. 2009-40; s. 464, ch. 2011-142; s. 18, ch. 2013-27; s. 8, ch. 2013-35; s. 41, ch. 2014-39; s. 5, ch. 2015-6; s. 34, ch. 2017-116; s. 15, ch. 2019-119.
Structure Florida Statutes
Title XLVIII - Early Learning-20 Education Code
Chapter 1003 - Public K-12 Education
Part IV - Public K-12 Educational Instruction (Ss. 1003.41-1003.49966)
1003.41 - State academic standards.
1003.4156 - General requirements for middle grades promotion.
1003.42 - Required instruction.
1003.4203 - Digital materials, CAPE Digital Tool certificates, and technical assistance.
1003.4204 - Safer, Smarter Schools Program.
1003.4205 - Disability history and awareness instruction.
1003.421 - Recitation of the Declaration of Independence.
1003.4281 - Early high school graduation.
1003.4282 - Requirements for a standard high school diploma.
1003.4285 - Standard high school diploma designations.
1003.4286 - Award of standard high school diplomas to honorably discharged veterans.
1003.4295 - Acceleration options.
1003.432 - Florida Seal of Biliteracy Program for high school graduates.
1003.435 - High school equivalency diploma program.
1003.436 - Definition of “credit.”
1003.437 - Middle and high school grading system.
1003.44 - Patriotic programs; rules.
1003.45 - Permitting study of the Bible and religion; requiring a moment of silence.
1003.4505 - Protection of school speech.
1003.453 - School wellness and physical education policies; nutrition guidelines.
1003.455 - Physical education; assessment.
1003.46 - Health education; instruction in acquired immune deficiency syndrome.
1003.47 - Biological experiments on living subjects.
1003.48 - Instruction in operation of motor vehicles.
1003.481 - Early Childhood Music Education Incentive Pilot Program.
1003.485 - The New Worlds Reading Initiative.
1003.49 - Graduation and promotion requirements for publicly operated schools.
1003.491 - Florida Career and Professional Education Act.
1003.492 - Industry-certified career education programs.
1003.493 - Career and professional academies and career-themed courses.
1003.4933 - 911 public safety telecommunication training programs.
1003.4935 - Middle grades career and professional academy courses and career-themed courses.
1003.498 - School district virtual course offerings.
1003.499 - Florida Approved Courses and Tests (FACT) Initiative.
1003.4996 - Competency-Based Education Pilot Program.