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Florida Civic Literacy Assessment and Graduation Requirements: Home

This guide was created to help you understand the new state requirements for civic literacy in Florida for of all students beginning Fall 2021 and to help you prepare for successfully completing those requirements.

Welcome to Polk State's Civic Literacy Assessment & Graduation Requirements Guide

Memorandum From the Florida Department of Education

On October 20, 2021, the State Board of Education approved revisions to Rule 6A-10.02413, Florida Administrative Code, Civic Literacy Competency. This rule amendment is in accordance with section 1007.25, Florida Statutes, which was modified by Senate Bill 1008 (Chapter No. 2021-157, Laws of Florida), that passed during the 2021 legislative session.

Previously, associate in arts and baccalaureate degree first-time-in-college students could demonstrate competency in civic literacy through the successful completion of a course (POSX041 American Government or AMHX020 Introductory Survey Since 1877) or by achieving a passing score on an assessment, including: AP Government and Politics: United States; AP United States History; or CLEP: American Government.

The rule amendment specifies the previous requirement – passing a course or an assessment – applies to students from 2018-19 through 2020-21. Additionally, the rule amendment specifies, beginning in 2021-22, and thereafter:

  • Both an assessment and a course are required to meet the civic literacy competency requirements for A.A. and baccalaureate students.
  • The Florida Civic Literacy Examination (FCLE) is a new low-cost option that students may use to meet the assessment requirement.
  • High school students who take the U.S. Government course and pass the FCLE will have met the postsecondary civic literacy assessment requirement.
  • Students must be provided opportunities to engage synchronously in political discussions.
  • Credit earned through articulated acceleration mechanisms counts toward the course requirement and the assessment requirement, if the assessment is identified in rule.

Polk State College is committed to equal access/equal opportunity in its programs, activities, and employment. For additional information, visit polk.edu/equity.