History of Higher
Education in Florida
Education Policy Council
and
State Universities &
Private Colleges Policy Committee
December 9, 2009
Florida Legislature Office of Program Policy Analysis & Government Accountability
Overview
 Delivery systems for
postsecondary education
 Organizational structure prior to
reorganization
 Major changes to postsecondary
education
 Organizational structure after
reorganization
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Postsecondary Education
Delivery Systems
 School District Technical Centers
 Florida College System
 State University System
 Independent Colleges and Universities of
Florida (ICUF)
 Independent Postsecondary Institutions
licensed by the Commission for
Independent Education (CIE)
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Delivery System for
Postsecondary Programs
Adult
Education
Apprenticeship
Vocational
Certificates or
Diplomas
Associate
Degrees
Baccalaureate
Degrees
Graduate and
Professional
Degrees
Continuing
Workforce
Education
School
District
Technical
Centers
Florida
College
System
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
State
University
System
Independent
Colleges
and
Universities
(ICUF)
Independent
Postsecondary
Institutions
(CIE)
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
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Timeline of Major Changes
1998
In 1998 Floridians amended Constitution
1999
In 1999 Commissioner convened a Blue Ribbon Committee
• Made recommendations for a seamless education system
2000
2000 Legislature
• Created Florida Board of Education (FBE)
•State Board of Education appointed by Governor,
•Commissioner appointed by State Board
• Created university boards of trustees
• Abolished boards and commissions transferred authority to FBE
•Created Education Governance Reorganization Task Force
• Reorganization effective 2003
2001
2001 Legislature
• Expedited reorganization to July 2001
•Abolished Board of Regents and State Board of Community Colleges and transferred powers and duties to the FBE
•Combined the powers and duties of the SBICU and SBNCE into the Commission for Independent Education (CIE)
2002
2002 Legislature
•Rearranged, renumbered, reworded, streamlines consolidated and updated the education code
•Devolved authority from the SBE to the university boards of trustees
In 2002 Floridians amended Constitution
•Board of Governors operates, regulates, controls and is fully responsible for the management of the university system.
2003
2003 Legislature
2005
2005 Legislature
2007
2007 Legislature
2008
2008 Legislature
•Amended Florida Statutes to reflect adoption of the 2002 Board of Governors (BOG) constitutional amendment
•Clarified lines of authority and constitutional duties of the Board of Governors and the Legislature
•Revised statute to reflect 2002 constitutional amendment establishing the BOG and University Boards of Trustees and
2005 legislation
•Created the Florida College
FloridaSystem
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Before Reorganization
Postsecondary Education
Planning Commission
State Board of Education
(Governor and Cabinet)
•Governor is the Chair
•Commissioner is the Secretary
Department of Education
•Commissioner is the head of the department
Division of Community
Colleges
•State Board of
Community Colleges is
the head of the division
28 Community College
Boards of Trustees
Division of
Workforce
Development
67 District School
Boards
(Technical Centers)
Division of
Universities
•Florida Board of
Regents is the head
of the division
10 University
Presidents
State Board of
Nonpublic Career
Education (SBNCE)
State Board of
Independent Colleges &
Universities (SBICU)
•The Department is
the administrative
agent of the board
•The Department is the
administrative agent of
the board
Key
Governing Boards
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Before Reorganization
 State Board of Education was comprised of
elected officials (Governor and Cabinet)
• Chief policy making body for all of public
education
• Governor was the chair of the board
• Commissioner was the secretary and executive
officer
 Commissioner of Education
• Statewide elected official
• Head of the Department of Education
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Before Reorganization (continued)
 Department of Education
• Division of Workforce Development
• Division of Community Colleges – State Board
of Community Colleges was the director of the
division
• Division of Universities - Board of Regents was
the director of the division
• State Board of Independent Colleges and
Universities
• State Board of Nonpublic Career Education
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Before Reorganization (continued)
 State Board of Community Colleges
• Functioned as an advisory body
• Comprised of the Commissioner and 12 Governor•
•
•
•
•
appointed, SBE approved, and Senate confirmed members
Adopt rules – subject to SBE approval
Provide through rule for the coordination of the Florida
Community College System
Review new programs, conduct program reviews and
provide rules for program termination
Specify procedures to be used by boards of trustees for the
evaluation of presidents
Recommend minimum standards for the operation of
community colleges (approved by the SBE)
Florida Legislature Office of Program Policy Analysis & Government Accountability
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Before Reorganization (continued)
 Community college district boards of trustees
• Functioned as a governing body
• Comprised of 5 to 9 Governor-appointed, SBEapproved, and Senate-confirmed members
• Responsible to operate the college
• Appoint the president
• Adopt rules and policies
• Establish and discontinue programs and course
offerings
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Before Reorganization (continued)
 Board of Regents
• Functioned as a governing body
• Comprised of the Commissioner and 13
Governor-appointed, Cabinet-approved, and
Senate-confirmed members
• Adopt rules – subject to SBE approval
• Appoint university presidents
• Approve new degree programs
• Established student fees
• Adopt a system wide strategic plan
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Before Reorganization (continued)
 State Board of Independent Colleges and
Universities
• Department of Education - administrative agent
• Comprised of 9 Governor-appointed, Senate –
confirmed members
• Authority to adopt rules subject to approval by
the SBE
• License nonpublic colleges unless exempt
based on accreditation status
• Complaint investigations, probable cause
findings and disciplinary actions
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Before Reorganization (continued)
 State Board of Nonpublic Career Education
• Department of Education - administrative agent
• Comprised of 9 Governor-appointed, Senateconfirmed members
• Prescribe and recommend rules to the SBE
• License nonpublic schools - postsecondary
non-collegiate career educational institutions
• Complaint investigations, probable cause
findings and disciplinary actions
Florida Legislature Office of Program Policy Analysis & Government Accountability
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Timeline of Major Changes
1998
In 1998 Floridians amended Constitution
•State Board of Education appointed by Governor,
•Commissioner appointed by State Board
1999
In 1999 Commissioner convened a Blue Ribbon Committee
• Made recommendations for a seamless education system
2000
2000 Legislature
• Created Florida Board of Education (FBE)
• Created university boards of trustees
• Abolished boards and commissions transferred authority to FBE
•Created Education Governance Reorganization Task Force
• Reorganization effective 2003
2001
2001 Legislature
• Expedited reorganization to July 2001
•Abolished Board of Regents and State Board of Community Colleges and transferred powers
and duties to the FBE
•Combined the powers and duties of the SBICU and SBNCE into the Commission for
Independent Education (CIE)
2002
2002 Legislature
•Rearranged, renumbered, reworded, streamlines consolidated and updated the education
code
•Devolved authority from the SBE to the university boards of trustees
Florida Legislature Office of Program Policy Analysis & Government Accountability
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1998 Constitutional Amendment
 Voters approved Constitutional changes to require
a new public education governance system led by
appointed vs. elected State Board of Education
and Commissioner of Education
•
“SECTION 2. State board of education.--The state board
of education shall be a body corporate and have such
supervision of the system of free public education as is
provided by law. The state board of education shall consist of
seven members appointed by the governor to staggered 4year terms, subject to confirmation by the senate. The state
board of education shall appoint the commissioner of
education.” From article 9 of the Florida Constitution
Florida Legislature Office of Program Policy Analysis & Government Accountability
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1999 - Commissioner convened
Blue Ribbon Commission
 Make recommendations to the Legislature
on a new education governance system
 Majority recommendation – Seamless
education system - SBE assumes full
supervision of all sectors of public education
• establish direct access to the new state board
and local control for school districts, colleges
and universities
 Minority recommendation – limits
responsibility of SBE to K-12 issues
Florida Legislature Office of Program Policy Analysis & Government Accountability
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Florida Education Governance
Reorganization Act of 2000
 Creates the Florida Board of Education (FBE) - 7




members appointed by Governor to oversee K-20
education – Effective Jan. 2003
FBE to appoint the Commissioner
Created 9 member university boards of trustees
appointed by governor – Effective Jan. 2003
Abolished – BOR, SBCC, SBICU and SBNCE
Created Education Governance Task Force to
effect a smooth transition between the elected
SBE and the appointed FBE and a seamless
education continuum
Florida Legislature Office of Program Policy Analysis & Government Accountability
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Florida Education Governance
Reorganization Implementation Act - 2001
 Expedited reorganization of education governance
• Expedited appointment of FBE and university





boards to July 2001
Housed the newly appointed FBE under the SBE
Chief transition officer’s education reorganization
workgroup – to direct and oversee reorganization
Abolished the BOR and SBCC
Combined powers and duties of the SBICU and
SBNCE into a single board
FBE to make recommendations to the Legislature for
the rewrite of the education code
Florida Legislature Office of Program Policy Analysis & Government Accountability
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2002 Florida School Code Rewrite
 Recreates and reorganizes the Florida
School Code
 Responded to the constitutional
amendments of 1998 and the repeal of
many sections of the code effective 2003
 The appointed SBE becomes the head of
the Department of Education
 Devolved authority from the SBE to the
university boards of trustees
Florida Legislature Office of Program Policy Analysis & Government Accountability
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After First Reorganization
State Board of Education (SBE)
•Governor and Cabinet
Florida
Legislature
Council for
Education Policy
Research and
Improvement
(CEPRI)
Florida Board of Education
(FBE)
•7 members Appointed by the Governor
•Appoints the Commissioner of Education
•Commissioner serves as Chief Executive Office
District School
Boards
•67 school districts.
governed by an
elected board of 5
or more members.
Department
of Education
(DOE)
Commission
on
Independent
Education
(CIE)
• 6 member
board appointed
by the Governor
28
Community
College
Boards of
Trustees
•5 -9 member
boards
appointed by the
Governor
11 University
Boards of
Trustees
•11 member
boards
appointed by the
Governor
Key
Governing
Board
Florida Legislature Office of Program Policy Analysis & Government Accountability
Timeline of Major Changes
2002
In 2002 Floridians amended Constitution
2003
2003 Legislature
2005
2005 Legislature
2007
2007 Legislature
2008
2008 Legislature
•Board of Governors operates, regulates, controls and is fully responsible for the management
of the university system.
•Amended Florida Statutes to reflect adoption of the 2002 Board of Governors (BOG)
constitutional amendment
•Clarified lines of authority and constitutional duties of the Board of Governors and the
Legislature
•Revised statute to reflect 2002 constitutional amendment establishing the BOG and University
Boards of Trustees and 2005 legislation
•Created the Florida College System
Florida Legislature Office of Program Policy Analysis & Government Accountability
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2002 Constitutional Amendment
 Requires a single state university system
comprised of all public universities with a
board of trustees to administer each university
 Establishes the Board of Governors to govern
the state university system
• “The board shall operate regulate, control, and be
fully responsible for the management of the whole
university system.”
• “The board of governors shall establish the
powers and duties of the boards of trustees.”
from Article 9 of the Florida Constitution
Florida Legislature Office of Program Policy Analysis & Government Accountability
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2003 Legislation
 Amends statute to reflect the adoption of
2002 constitutional amendment
 Establishes the Board of Governors
 Revises provisions related to the
membership of the university boards of
trustees
Florida Legislature Office of Program Policy Analysis & Government Accountability
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2005 Legislation
 Clarifies lines of authority and defines the
constitutional duties of the Board of Governors
• operating regulating and controlling and being fully responsible for the


management of the SUS
defining the distinctive mission of each university
ensuring well-planned coordination and operation of SUS
avoiding wasteful duplication of facilities or programs
approving, reviewing and terminating SUS degree programs
•
•
•
•
Provides Legislative responsibilities
• making provision by law for establishment and operation of institutions
• appropriate state funds, establish tuition and fees
Provides Legislative intent - reenact laws re: BOG,
university boards, SBE and postsecondary
education
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2007 Legislation
 Repeals statutory provisions no longer
necessary as they are within the responsibilities
of the BOG
 Outlines powers and duties of the BOG
 Provides statutory organizational structure for
the BOG and its staff
 Removes powers and duties of the SBE,
Commissioner and Department of Education
solely relating to universities
Florida Legislature Office of Program Policy Analysis & Government Accountability
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2008 Legislation
 Established the Florida College System
• 2 and 4-year institutions granting academic degrees
• primary mission responding to community needs for
•
postsecondary academic and career education
must maintain open-door admissions and outreach to
underserved populations
 Florida College System Task Force
• findings and recommendations - transition of community
colleges to baccalaureate granting institutions
 State College Pilot Project
• recommend
an approval process for transition of
institutions to state colleges and a funding model for the
system
Florida Legislature Office of Program Policy Analysis & Government Accountability
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Timeline of Major Changes
1998
In 1998 Floridians amended Constitution
1999
In 1999 Commissioner convened a Blue Ribbon Committee
• Made recommendations for a seamless education system
2000
2000 Legislature
• Created Florida Board of Education (FBE)
•State Board of Education appointed by Governor,
•Commissioner appointed by State Board
• Created university boards of trustees
• Abolished boards and commissions transferred authority to FBE
•Created Education Governance Reorganization Task Force
• Reorganization effective 2003
2001
2001 Legislature
• Expedited reorganization to July 2001
•Abolished Board of Regents and State Board of Community Colleges and transferred powers and duties to the FBE
•Combined the powers and duties of the SBICU and SBNCE into the Commission for Independent Education (CIE)
2002
2002 Legislature
•Rearranged, renumbered, reworded, streamlines consolidated and updated the education code
•Devolved authority from the SBE to the university boards of trustees
In 2002 Floridians amended Constitution
•Board of Governors operates, regulates, controls and is fully responsible for the management of the university system.
2003
2003 Legislature
2005
2005 Legislature
2007
2007 Legislature
2008
2008 Legislature
•Amended Florida Statutes to reflect adoption of the 2002 Board of Governors (BOG) constitutional amendment
•Clarified lines of authority and constitutional duties of the Board of Governors and the Legislature
•Revised statute to reflect 2002 constitutional amendment establishing the BOG and University Boards of Trustees and
2005 legislation
•Created the Florida College
FloridaSystem
Legislature Office of Program Policy Analysis & Government Accountability
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After Reorganization
State Board of Education (SBE)
•7-member board appointed by Governor and confirmed by the
Senate.
•The SBE is head of the Department of Education
Board of Governors of the State
University System (BOG)
•17-member board (14 members appointed by the Governor and
confirmed by the Senate; a faculty representative; a student
representative; and the Commissioner of Education)
•The State University System (SUS) is comprised of 11 state
universities.
School
Districts/Boards
Department of
Education (DOE)
•67 school districts.
governed by an
elected board of 5
or more members.
•The DOE is an
administrative &
supervisory agency
under SBE
direction.
•Each board
operates, controls,
and supervises all
free public schools
in the district.
•Includes adult
education and
workforce/career
education programs
•The areas of DOE
responsibility
include public
schools, Florida
Colleges, workforce
education,
vocational
rehabilitation, blind
services, and
student financial
assistance.
•The Commissioner
of Education serves
as Executive
Director of the DOE
and is appointed by
the SBE.
Commission on
Independent
Education (CIE)
•The CIE
authorizes the
granting of
diplomas & degrees
by certain
independent
postsecondary
educational
institutions.
•The CIE is
comprised of 7
Governorappointed, Senateconfirmed
members.
•The CIE is an
independent entity
administratively
housed within the
DOE.
Florida College
System (FCS)
•The FCS is
comprised of 28
public
postsecondary
educational
institutions. Each
institution is
governed by a 5-9
member Governorappointed, Senateconfirmed BOT.
•Each BOT
operates its college
subject to SBE
rules.
State University
System Boards of
Trustees (UBOT)
•Each state university
is administered by a
13-member UBOT.
Each UBOT consists
of the chair of the
faculty senate, the
president of the
student body, 6
Governor appointees,
& 5 BOG appointees.
Appointed members
must be confirmed by
the Senate.
•The BOG
establishes the
UBOT's powers &
duties.
Constitutionally-created elected
board
Constitutionally-created appointed
board
Statutorily-created appointed board
Florida Legislature Office of Program Policy Analysis & Government Accountability
After Reorganization
 State Board of Education
•
•
•
Appointed by the Governor
Oversees K-12, workforce, community colleges, and
nonpublic education
Adopts rules governing statewide postsecondary programs
such as financial aid and the statewide course numbering
system
 Commissioner
•
Appointed by the SBE
•
•
Appointed by the Governor
Oversees state universities
 Board of Governors
Florida Legislature Office of Program Policy Analysis & Government Accountability
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After Reorganization
 School districts – Technical centers and
schools
• Overseen by the SBE
• Governed by local district school boards
• Adult and career education
 Florida College System
• Overseen by the SBE
• Comprised of 2 and 4 year institutions
• Governed by local boards of trustees
• Associate degrees, baccalaureate degrees, career
education and adult education
Florida Legislature Office of Program Policy Analysis & Government Accountability
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After Reorganization
 State University System
• Overseen by the BOG
• Comprised of 10 universities and New College
• Governed by local boards of trustees
• Baccalaureate and graduate degrees
 Nonpublic institutions
• Licensed by CIE unless eligible for FRAG
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QUESTIONS?
Jane Fletcher
Staff Director
fletcher.jane@oppaga.fl.gov
850-487-9255
http://www.oppaga.state.fl.us/
Office of Program Policy Analysis & Government Accountability
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