Admission to the School of Academic Foundations (Procedure 3.0150)

Authority:	F.S. 1001.64
Date Adopted:	10/14
Date of Review:	7/15; 9/16
Date of Revision:	9/15; 01/17
Related Policies	3.020

Purpose

The School of Academic Foundations provides Adult Education Programs mandated by the State of Florida. Seminole County residents have priority for admission and registration in those programs and courses.

This procedure outlines the requirements and application process for admission to Adult Education Programs. To be eligible for admission, individuals must not be enrolled or required to be enrolled in secondary school.

Procedure

1. Adult Basic Education
   1. Classes are offered for persons eighteen (18) years of age or older¹whose education was interrupted or whose education did not include mastery of basic skills as defined by the Florida Department of Education. To be admitted, students must:
      1. Submit an Adult Education Admissions Application
      2. Provide documentation of age if necessary.
      3. Complete the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) or have valid TABE scores on record. Minimum TABE scores may be required for admission. Contact an Academic Advisor for more information.
      4.  Complete an orientation.
2. General Education Development Program (GED)
   1. Classes are offered for persons eighteen (18) years of age or older1 whose education was interrupted before they were able to complete high school. To be admitted, students must:
      1. Submit an Adult Education Admissions Application
      2. Provide documentation that the candidate is of age
      3. Complete the TABE or have valid TABE scores on record. Minimum TABE scores are required before placement into GED level classes. Students who do not achieve the minimum required scores will be placed into Adult Basic Education classes.
3. English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
   1. Classes are offered to persons eighteen (18) years of age or older1 for whom English is not their first or mastered language and who meet the following criteria:
      1. Provide documentation that the applicant is a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, refugee or holder of another qualifying immigration status.
      2. Provide documentation that the applicant is at least eighteen years old.
      3. Submit an application during designated times prior to the start of each term.
4. Adult High School Diploma Program
   1. Classes leading to a standard high school diploma are offered for persons whose high school education was interrupted and who are seventeen (17) years of age or older by the day classes begin. To be admitted to the Adult High School, students must:
      1. Submit an Adult Education Admissions Application.
      2. Provide documentation of age if necessary.
      3. Submit official transcripts of all previously attempted high school coursework.
      4. Complete an orientation.
5. Petition for Admission
   1. Students whose withdrawal code from the previous high school indicates “expulsion” must file a petition and submit required supporting documentation for admission to the Academic Foundations Admissions Team who will decide if student is to be admitted. Criteria in making a decision includes (1) whether the student completed the sanctions of the expulsion, and (2) the severity of the behavioral issues and subsequent remediation. The academic and behavioral background of petitioners will be reviewed and considered in all admissions decisions.
   2. Any student transferring from an alternative program may apply for admission to School of Academic Foundations programs once they successfully complete the terms of expulsion and are eligible to attend their home high school. Students must submit letters of recommendation; TABE scores; provide documentation of program completion; and petition for admission to the Academic Foundation Admissions Team prior to consideration of admission to any Adult Education Program.
   3. Students who are denied admission may appeal to the Vice President of Student Affairs or his/her designee by submitting a letter to that office within five (5) business days after receiving notification of the decision. The decision of the Vice President of Student Affairs is final.
6. Transcripts for Adult Education Programs
   1. Current or recent Seminole County Public School students may be required to submit an official transcript for admission to any School of Academic Foundations program.

   2. Students are encouraged to bring an unofficial copy of their transcripts to their academic advising session.

   3. Applicants whose transcripts include an Individual Educational Plan (IEP) identifying them as an Exceptional Education student are encouraged to meet with an Academic Foundations advisor/counselor to explore whether an Adult Education program can meet any special academic needs they may have. 

¹This includes persons who will reach age eighteen (18) by the last day of their first semester.

Notice

Any other College rule(s) which reference(s) the rule noticed herein shall be interpreted and enforced consistent with the new / revised rule upon its final adoption (unless otherwise indicated in the referencing rule(s)).

Recommended by	Executive Team	Date	01/24/2017
Signed by	President, E. Ann McGee	Date	01/25/2017