College Competitiveness Act of 2018 - Summary

• Creates State Board of Colleges: Establishes a new independent State Board of Colleges (effective October 1, 2018) to oversee and govern the Florida College System, removing it from State Board of Education control.

• Transfers authority and funds: Transfers all Florida College System powers, duties, functions, records, personnel, and appropriations from the State Board of Education to the new State Board of Colleges, including appointing a Chancellor of the Florida College System.

• Restructures postsecondary governance: Places the State Board of Colleges administratively within the Department of Education but grants it independent authority, separate budget status, and exclusive control over Florida College System institutions (13 public colleges).

• Limits baccalaureate degree expansion: Prohibits Florida College System institutions from offering bachelor of arts degrees and caps upper-level undergraduate enrollment at 20% per institution and 10% system-wide, with stricter approval processes for new degree programs.

• Establishes "2+2" articulation pathways and student support programs: Requires each Florida College System institution and state university to execute targeted "2+2" pathway agreements by 2018-2019 and creates the Supporting Students for Academic Success Program with $30 million in funding to improve student completion and graduation rates.