Academically Challenging Curriculum to Enhance Learning (ACCEL) options.

(1) ACCEL OPTIONS.—

(a) Academically Challenging Curriculum to Enhance Learning (ACCEL) options are educational options that provide academically challenging curriculum or accelerated instruction to eligible public school students in kindergarten through grade 12.

(b) At a minimum, each school must offer the following ACCEL options: whole-grade and midyear promotion; subject-matter acceleration; virtual instruction in higher grade level subjects; and the Credit Acceleration Program under s. 1003.4295. Additional ACCEL options may include, but are not limited to, enriched science, technology, engineering, and mathematics coursework; enrichment programs; flexible grouping; advanced academic courses; combined classes; self-paced instruction; rigorous industry certifications that are articulated to college credit and approved pursuant to ss. 1003.492 and 1008.44; work-related internships or apprenticeships; curriculum compacting; advanced-content instruction; and telescoping curriculum.

(2) ELIGIBILITY AND PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS.—

(a) Principal determined eligibility requirements.—

1. Each principal must establish student eligibility requirements for virtual instruction in higher grade level subjects. Each principal must also establish student eligibility requirements for whole-grade promotion, midyear promotion, and subject-matter acceleration when the promotion or acceleration occurs within the principal’s school.

2. If a school offers enriched STEM coursework, enrichment programs, flexible grouping, advanced academic courses, combined classes, self-paced instruction, curriculum compacting, advanced-content instruction, telescoping curriculum, or an alternative ACCEL option established by the principal, the principal must establish student eligibility requirements.

(b) School district determined eligibility and procedural requirements.—A school district must establish student eligibility requirements and procedural requirements for any whole-grade promotion, midyear promotion, or subject-matter acceleration that would result in a student attending a different school. Student eligibility requirements and procedural requirements established by the school district must be included in the school district’s comprehensive student progression plan under s. 1008.25.

(3) STUDENT ELIGIBILITY CONSIDERATIONS.—When establishing student eligibility requirements, principals and school districts must consider, at a minimum:

(a) The student’s performance on a locally determined assessment, a statewide assessment, or a statewide, standardized assessment administered pursuant to s. 1008.22.

(b) The student’s grade point average.

(c) The student’s attendance and conduct record.

(d) Recommendations from one or more of the student’s teachers in core-curricula courses as defined in s. 1003.01(5)(a)-(e).

(e) A recommendation from a certified school counselor if one is assigned to the school in which the student is enrolled.

(4) ACCEL REQUIREMENTS.—

(a) Each principal must inform parents and students of the ACCEL options available at the school and the student eligibility requirements for the ACCEL options established pursuant to paragraph (2)(a).

(b)1. Each principal must establish a process by which a parent may request student participation in whole-grade promotion, midyear promotion, and subject-matter acceleration when the promotion or acceleration occurs within the principal’s school; virtual instruction in higher grade level subjects; or an alternative ACCEL option established by the principal. If the parent selects one of these ACCEL options and the student meets the eligibility requirements established by the principal pursuant to paragraph (2)(a), the student must be provided the opportunity to participate in the ACCEL option.

2. Each school district must establish a process by which a parent may request student participation in whole-grade promotion, midyear promotion, or subject-matter acceleration that would result in a student attending a different school. If the parent selects one of these ACCEL options and the student meets the eligibility and procedural requirements set forth in the district’s comprehensive student progression plan, as required under paragraph (2)(b), the student must be provided the opportunity to participate in the ACCEL option.

(c) If a student participates in an ACCEL option pursuant to the parental request under subparagraph (b)1., a performance contract is not required but may be used at the discretion of the principal. If a principal initiates a student’s participation in an ACCEL option, the student’s parent must be notified. A performance contract is not required when a principal initiates participation but may be used at the discretion of the principal.

(5) AWARD OF A STANDARD HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA.—A student who meets the following grade 9 cohort graduation requirements shall be awarded a standard high school diploma in a form prescribed by the State Board of Education:

(a) The applicable grade 9 cohort graduation requirements of s. 1003.4282(3)(a)-(e);

(b)1. For a student who enters grade 9 before the 2023-2024 school year, earn three credits in electives; or

2. For a student who enters grade 9 in the 2023-2024 school year and thereafter, earn two and one-half credits in electives and one-half credit in financial literacy; and

(c) Earn a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.