FL S1654

High schools must offer computer science courses of sufficient rigor where two credits plus an industry certification or technical certificate satisfy two credits of sequential foreign language instruction; Florida College System institutions and state universities must recognize these credits as foreign language credits.

Expands Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program eligibility to include apprenticeship programs as defined in section 446.021(6), effective 2023-2024 academic year.

Requires Department of Education to annually notify students, teachers, parents, counselors, and administrators about approved apprenticeship programs, eligible postsecondary institutions, high-demand jobs, critical skill sets, and wage information beginning with students' freshman year.

Authorizes students to use a combination of volunteer service hours and paid work hours to meet Florida Bright Futures eligibility requirements; paid work hours completed on or after June 27, 2022, are eligible for counting.

Expands eligible postsecondary programs for Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars awards to include industry certifications, technical certificates, career and technical certificates, and apprenticeship programs; authorizes Department of Education to identify additional aptitude tests beyond the Florida College Entry Level Placement Test.