FL H7135

General education requirements reduced from 36 to 30 semester credit hours for associate and baccalaureate degrees starting in 2014-2015, with faculty committees identifying a maximum of five core course options per subject area (communication, mathematics, social sciences, humanities, natural sciences)

State Board of Education required to develop performance metrics for Florida College System institutions by July 1, 2013, including measures for remediation success, retention, graduation, employment, transfer rates, licensure passage, and student loan default rates

Department of Economic Opportunity required to prepare annual economic security reports beginning December 31, 2013, showing employment and earnings outcomes for graduates by degree/certificate program, with data on job placement rates and wages at multiple income levels

Board of Governors authorized to award up to $15 million annually in performance funding to state universities based on graduates in computer/IT fields, with scoring weighted 25% on employment rates, 25% on industry certifications earned, and 50% on factors increasing high-skill employment outcomes

Florida College System students seeking associate degrees must declare a baccalaureate program of interest by the time they earn 30 credit hours, starting in 2013-2014, to improve articulation and reduce excess credits