FL S0228

Establishes the Charter Technical Career Center Associate Degree Program to authorize charter technical career centers to offer Associate in Applied Science and Associate in Science degree programs to meet local workforce needs.

Allows charter technical career centers to submit proposals to the State Board of Education for approval to offer these degree programs either through partnerships with community colleges or with direct degree-awarding authority.

Prohibits participating charter technical career centers from requesting additional funding for implementation and start-up costs during the first 2 years after receiving authorization; operational costs must be funded at the same level as workforce development programs.

Requires participating centers to maintain open-door admissions policies, prioritize workforce education as their primary mission, and accept general education credits from accredited colleges to avoid course duplication.

Allows charter technical career centers to use the designation "technical college" effective July 1, 2010, with those already using "college" able to continue for up to 2 years after applying for accreditation status.