Frequently Asked Questions
SUS Students Subject to the Requirement:
- How does the course and exam requirement apply to students who transfer to an SUS institution?
- Out-of-state students transferring to an SUS institution during the 2021-22 academic year or thereafter, who have never previously enrolled in a public Florida institution (SUS or FCS), must meet the new civic literacy requirement, which includes both a course and an exam.
For in-state students or students that have been previously enrolled in a Florida public institution and are transferring back to a System institution, the institution should refer to Table 1 to determine their cohort and civic literacy requirements.
- Out-of-state students transferring to an SUS institution during the 2021-22 academic year or thereafter, who have never previously enrolled in a public Florida institution (SUS or FCS), must meet the new civic literacy requirement, which includes both a course and an exam.
- If a student received an associate degree from an FCS institution prior to fall 2018 and is enrolled in a baccalaureate program beginning fall 2018 or after, does this requirement apply?
- No, because the initial enrollment in a Florida public institution (SUS or FCS) was prior to fall 2018.
- No, because the initial enrollment in a Florida public institution (SUS or FCS) was prior to fall 2018.
- How does this requirement apply to dual enrollment students?
- Enrollment in a Florida public institution (SUS or FCS) prior to graduating from high school does not exempt a student from having to meet the civic literacy requirement. These students would still be considered FTIC upon their enrollment in a Florida public institution.
- Enrollment in a Florida public institution (SUS or FCS) prior to graduating from high school does not exempt a student from having to meet the civic literacy requirement. These students would still be considered FTIC upon their enrollment in a Florida public institution.
- How will universities know if a student transferring between public institutions within the State of Florida has met the civic literacy requirement?
- Board of Governors office staff worked with the Department of Education, Office of Articulation, and the Florida College System to ensure that the FASTER system has a common notation. Transcripts will have Yes/No/Exempt indicators to show whether the civic literacy requirement has been satisfied.
- Board of Governors office staff worked with the Department of Education, Office of Articulation, and the Florida College System to ensure that the FASTER system has a common notation. Transcripts will have Yes/No/Exempt indicators to show whether the civic literacy requirement has been satisfied.
- Does the civic literacy requirement apply to students seeking a second baccalaureate?
- If a student has never enrolled in an SUS or FCS institution prior to fall 2018, yes. For students who enroll for the first time in fall 2018 and thereafter, refer to Table 1 in this document to determine their cohort and civic literacy requirements.
- If a student has never enrolled in an SUS or FCS institution prior to fall 2018, yes. For students who enroll for the first time in fall 2018 and thereafter, refer to Table 1 in this document to determine their cohort and civic literacy requirements.
Civic Literacy Options
- What qualifies as synchronous debate?
- All sections of eligible courses, regardless of mode of delivery, must provide opportunities for synchronous discussions at least every other week when offered during the fall and spring terms. Courses offered during the summer should provide the equivalent minimum number of opportunities.
- All sections of eligible courses, regardless of mode of delivery, must provide opportunities for synchronous discussions at least every other week when offered during the fall and spring terms. Courses offered during the summer should provide the equivalent minimum number of opportunities.
- What if my institution’s course-level outcomes for POS X041, AMH X010, AMH X020, or AMS X010 do not align with the competencies in statute?
- According to section 1007.25 (4)(b), Florida Statutes, courses identified as satisfying the civic literacy requirement must align with the competencies listed in the subsection beginning in fall 2018. Institutions should follow internal procedures to modify course outcomes to align with the competencies and work with the Office of Articulation to update the course profile(s) in the Statewide Course Numbering System (SCNS) database.
- According to section 1007.25 (4)(b), Florida Statutes, courses identified as satisfying the civic literacy requirement must align with the competencies listed in the subsection beginning in fall 2018. Institutions should follow internal procedures to modify course outcomes to align with the competencies and work with the Office of Articulation to update the course profile(s) in the Statewide Course Numbering System (SCNS) database.
- What if my institution’s courses do not provide students with opportunities to engage synchronously in political discussions and civil debates with multiple points of view and to master the ability to synthesize information that informs civic decision-making?
- According to section 1007.25 (4)(b)(1), Florida Statutes, courses must include such opportunities in order to be eligible for meeting the civic literacy requirement beginning with courses offered during summer B 2021.
- According to section 1007.25 (4)(b)(1), Florida Statutes, courses must include such opportunities in order to be eligible for meeting the civic literacy requirement beginning with courses offered during summer B 2021.
- What if the courses do not align with a student's approved program of study?
- If POS X041, AMH X010, AMH X020, or AMS X010 do not align with a student’s program of study, the options available will depend on the student’s first entry into a Florida public institution:
- Cohort 2: The institution should encourage the student to consider demonstrating competency through one of the approved assessments to avoid possible excess credit.
- Cohort 3: Academic advisors should inform students of the graduation requirement to complete both a civics literacy course and civics literacy assessment and work to include the eligible courses as part of the general education requirements to avoid excess credit.
- If POS X041, AMH X010, AMH X020, or AMS X010 do not align with a student’s program of study, the options available will depend on the student’s first entry into a Florida public institution:
- What if an institution does not offer Civic Literacy courses?
- Students in Cohort 2 may take an approved exam in lieu of these courses or they have the option to take a civic literacy eligible course at a Florida college or university outside their home institution through the Transient Student Admission Application on Florida Shines (located at: https://www.floridashines.org/take-a-course-at-another-school). Students should contact their SUS institution for more information.
- Students in Cohort 3 have the option to take a civic literacy eligible course at a Florida college or university outside their home institution through the Transient Student Admission Application on Florida Shines (located at: https://www.floridashines.org/take-a-course-at-another-school). Students should contact their SUS institution for more information.
- What are the costs associated with the CLEP and AP exams?
- The costs of exams are subject to change and costs may vary by testing center. Consult the AP or CLEP websites or the institution’s testing center for up-to-date information.
Some school districts may offset the cost of AP exams to students, so individual prices may vary. AP exams are only offered to high school students. Students should contact their high school for more information.
- The costs of exams are subject to change and costs may vary by testing center. Consult the AP or CLEP websites or the institution’s testing center for up-to-date information.
- If a student took an exam other than AP or CLEP, such as AICE or IB, and received credit from the exam for POS X041, AMH X010, AMH X020, or AMS X010, have they satisfied the civic literacy requirement?
- The 2021 Legislature amended section 1007.25, Florida Statutes, allowing all accelerated mechanism to count towards meeting civic literacy course requirements. Since the content covered in AICE and IB examinations currently does not contain the competencies required in section 1007.25 (4)(b), Florida Statutes, a passing score on these exams will only satisfy the course competency requirement.