Testing and Assessment

Civic Literacy Competency

Students are strongly encouraged to fulfill this requirement before the end of their first year.

Need to take the FCLE? Find out if you need to complete this graduation requirement. For information about the FCLE, please visit the Learning Resources FCLE LibGuide and Testing and Assessment's FCLE webpage for Test Preparation resources.

Requirements 2018-2019 through 2020-2021

Prior to the award of an associate in arts or baccalaureate degree, first-time-in-college students entering a Florida College System (FCS) or State University System (SUS) institution in the 2018-2019 academic school year and thereafter, must demonstrate competency in civic literacy by the time they graduate pursuant to s. 1007.25(4), Florida Statutes. Students have the option to demonstrate competency through successful completion of a civic literacy course or by achieving a passing score on an assessment.

New Requirements Approved by FLDOE on 10/20/2021 and 03/30/2022

Associate in arts or baccalaureate degree students entering a Florida College System (FCS) or State University System (SUS) institution in the 2021-2022 academic school year and thereafter must demonstrate competency through successful completion of a civic literacy course AND by achieving a passing score on the Florida Civic Literacy Examination (FCLE).

First-time-in-college students who entered between Fall 2018 and Summer 2021 will continue to have the option of passing a course or an approved assessment. 

A subsequent rule amendment added the civic literacy requirement as a condition of A.S./A.A.S degree completion for students entering an FCS institution in Fall 2022 and thereafter. 

On March 30, 2022 the Florida Board of Education added the civic literacy requirement as a condition of A.S./A.A.S. degree completion to coincide with general education changes from House Bill 1507. This applied to students entering an FCS institution in Fall 2022 and thereafter.

Rule 6A-10.02413 of the State Board of Education defines civic literacy competency as follows:

  1. Successfully passing either POS 2041 American Government or AMH 2020 History of the United States since 1877.
  2. Achieving the standard score on one of the following assessments:
    • AP Government and Politics: United States
      • 3 (meets course and assessment requirement)
    • AP United States History
      • 4 (meets course and assessment requirement)
    • CLEP: American Government
      • 50 (meets course and assessment requirement)
    • Florida Civic Literacy Examination (FCLE)
      • 60%

Students seeking an Associate in Arts or baccalaureate degree initially entering FCS under 2021-2022 catalog year and beyond or with an MDC requirement term of Fall 2021 and beyond.

Students seeking an Associate in Science (A.S.)/Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree initially entering FCS under 2022-2023 catalog year and beyond or with an MDC requirement term of Fall 2022 and beyond.

The Civic Literacy Requirement Applies To

  • First-time-in-college students (FTIC)

Programs

  • Associate in Arts (A.A.) and Baccalaureate

Student Requirements

  • Pass a course (AMH 2020 or POS 2041) OR pass an assessment.

Notes

  • The AP and CLEP can be used to meet the assessment requirement.
    • AP Government and Politics: United States (3 or higher)
    • AP United States History (4 or higher)
    • CLEP: American Government (50 or higher)
  • The FCLE can not be used to meet the assessment requirement.

The Civic Literacy Requirement Applies To

  • Students initially entering FCS under 2021-2022 catalog year and beyond or with an MDC requirement term of Fall 2021 and beyond.

Programs

  • Associate in Arts (A.A.) and Baccalaureate

Student Requirements

  • Pass a course (AMH 2020 or POS 2041) AND pass an assessment.

Notes

  • The AP and CLEP can be used to meet both the course and assessment requirements.
  • The AICE and IB can only be used to meet the course requirement.
    • AICE A-Level: History, US History c. 1840 - 1990 (1 or higher)
    • IB History (HL): History of the Americas (5 or higher)
  • The FCLE can only be used to meet the assessment requirement.

The Civic Literacy Requirement Applies To

  • Students initially entering FCS 2022-2023 catalog year and beyond or with an MDC requirement term of Fall 2022 and beyond.

Programs

  • Associate in Science (A.S.)/Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.)

Student Requirements

  • Pass a course (AMH 2020 or POS 2041) AND pass an assessment.

Notes

  • The AP and CLEP can be used to meet the course and assessment requirements.
  • The AICE and IB can only be used to meet the course requirement.
    • AICE A-Level: History, US History c. 1840 - 1990 (1 or higher)
    • IB History (HL): History of the Americas (5 or higher)
  • The FCLE can only be used to meet the assessment requirement.

Who is required to meet the Civic Literacy Competency requirement?

  • Students seeking an Associate in Arts or baccalaureate degree:
    • who have no prior college credit and initially enter an FCS institution as a first-time-in-college student in Fall 2018 through Summer 2021. 
    • who begin dual enrollment in Fall of 2018 through Summer 2021
    • who have an MDC requirement term of Fall 2021 and beyond.
  • Students seeking an Associate in Science (A.S.)/Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree:
    • who have an MDC requirement term of Fall 2022 and beyond.

Who is exempt from meeting the Civic Literacy Competency requirement during catalog years 2018-2019 through 2020-2021?

  • Students who have earned college credit prior to Fall 2018 with an MDC requirement term prior to Fall 2018.
  • Students who were in dual enrollment prior to Fall 2018 with an MDC requirement term prior to Fall 2018.
  • A.S./A.A.S. degree students with an MDC requirement term prior to Fall 2022.

How does the amended rule apply to students who were previously dual enrolled?

  • The new civic literacy requirement applies to students who are entering into A.A. and baccalaureate programs under the 2021-2022 catalog year and beyond or A.S./A.A.S. degree students under the 2022-2023 catalog year and beyond, regardless of prior postsecondary coursework. This includes formerly dual enrolled students.

Is Civic Literacy a graduation requirement?

  • Yes.  A student seeking an AA, A.S./A.A.S., or baccalaureate will have to demonstrate competency prior to being awarded a degree.

Is Civic Literacy Competency a graduation requirement for all academic programs?

  • No.  Career and Technical Certificates (also known as College Credit Certificates).

Does the Civic Literacy Competency graduation requirement apply to students who earned college credits prior to Fall 2018?

  • No. This requirement does not apply to students who have college credits and a requirement term at MDC prior to Fall 2018, unless students apply to a new program. These students must have continuously enrolled at MDC since Summer 2018 or earlier.

Does “initially entering” mean the same thing as first-time-in-college (FTIC)?

  • No. The rule that is applicable for 2018-19 to 2020-2021 specified the requirement was limited to FTIC students. Since the statute does not specify the civic literacy requirements are limited to that small population, the FTIC language was removed for 2021-22 students and beyond. This ensures students who are entering under 2021-22 catalog years will meet the statutory intent to demonstrate civic literacy competency.

How does the amended rule apply to transfer students?

  • The new civic literacy requirement applies to students who are entering into A.A. and baccalaureate programs under the 2021-2022 catalog year and beyond or A.S./A.A.S. degree students under the 2022-2023 catalog year and beyond, regardless of prior postsecondary coursework. This includes transfer students and students entering with prior postsecondary coursework. Students who have previously achieved a passing score on an approved assessment or passed an approved course will have met the assessment requirement or coursework requirement, respectively, and will not need to re-take assessments or courses.

How the amended rule apply to out-of-state students?

  • The new civic literacy requirement applies to students who are entering into A.A. and baccalaureate programs under the 2021-2022 catalog year and beyond or A.S./A.A.S. degree students under the 2022-2023 catalog year and beyond, regardless of prior postsecondary coursework. This includes students from out-of-state.

How does the amended rule apply to baccalaureate students who are entering with an A.A. or A.S./A.A.S. degree?

  • Baccalaureate students under the 2021-2022 catalog year and beyond are required to meet the civics course and assessment requirement. If the student previously demonstrated civic literacy competency based on the previous civic literacy requirement through a course or an assessment under their associate degree program, those passed courses or passing scores could also be used toward demonstration of civic literacy competency for baccalaureate completion. The student would then just need to fulfill the other requirement via an assessment or course.

Does a student with a bachelor’s degree from an SUS, private, or out-of-state institution entering an second bachelors level program at MDC  in Fall 2021 or beyond need to meet the new civic literacy requirement of course and assessment?   Is the attainment of a bachelors sufficient to satisfy the requirement?

  • The statute/rule do not indicate this applies to the student's first baccalaureate degree. Any student seeking an FCS baccalaureate degree with a catalog year of 2021-2022 and beyond is required to demonstrate competency by meeting the course and assessment requirement.

Does a student who attended a Florida College System (FCS) institution more than one year ago (received a degree or earned some credits from the institution) and is now returning to the same or another FCS institution required to satisfy the new civic literacy requirement?

  • Scenario 1:  Attended prior to Fall 2018 - Didn’t take AMH 2020 or POS 2041
  • Scenario 2: Attended since Fall 2018 - Satisfied course or assessment only or Didn’t satisfy either course or assessment

    Students under catalog years 2018-2019 through 2020-2021 are only required to complete the approved course or assessment. If a student is in catalog year 2021-2022 and beyond, that student is required to complete the approved course and pass an approved assessment.

Approved Courses and Assessments

How does credit-by-exam apply toward the civic literacy requirement?

  • Credit received for courses in Rule 6A-10.02413, F.A.C., (AMH 2020 and POS 2041) via credit-by-exam will count toward the course requirement.
    • If the exam used as the basis of awarding of credit is in Rule 6A-10.02413, F.A.C., (e.g., AP and CLEP) the student would be considered as having met both the course and the assessment civic literacy competency.
    • If the exam used as the basis of awarding of credit is not in rule (e.g., AICE and IB), the student would be considered as having met only the course requirement. These students would need to be assessed using an approved assessment in rule.

How long are assessment scores valid? Is there an expiration date?

  • The rule does not specify expiration dates of test scores. Scores do not expire.

If students complete AMH 2020 or POS 2041, do they still need to complete an assessment?

  • Yes. Completion of AMH 2020 or POS 2041 only fulfills the course requirement for postsecondary civic literacy competency for students entering the FCS under the 2021-22 catalog year and thereafter.

Does the final exam in AMH 2020 or POS 2041 count toward meeting the assessment requirement?

  • No. Because final exams in courses are not approved by the State Board of Education (SBOE), they do not count toward the assessment requirement. These students would still be required to pass an approved assessment in Rule 6A-10.02413, F.A.C.

What competencies does the FCLE cover?

  • Test items for the FCLE are based on competencies that describe the content to be covered by a test.
  • FCLE competencies cover the knowledge necessary to demonstrate the postsecondary requirement for civic literacy, as outlined in statute:
    • Understanding of the basic principles and practices of American democracy and how they are applied in our republican form of government.
    • An understanding of the United States Constitution and its application.
    • Knowledge of the founding documents and how they have shaped the nature and functions of our institutions of self-government.
    • An understanding of landmark Supreme Court cases, landmark legislation and landmark executive actions and their impact on law and society. 

How many test questions appear on the FCLE?

  • Eighty (80) test items appear on the FCLE that was implemented on October 25, 2021. MDC uses TestID FCLE in MDConnect for this version. Note: The previous versions that were administered in the high schools during school years 2019-2020 and 2020-2021, and in the state university system since 2018 includes 100 questions. MDC uses TestID FCLEHS for the previous high school version and TestID FCLESUS for the state university system version.

What is the passing score on the FCLE?

  • The passing score is 60 percent, which is 48 correct out of 80. 
    • Note: The passing score for the FCLE that was administered in the high schools during school years 2019-2020 and 2020-2021, and in the state university system since 2018 are also 60 percent
      (60 correct out of 100).

What is the criteria to take the FCLE at MDC for the first time and for retesting?

  • To test for the first time, students must be enrolled in either AMH 2020 or POS 2041 or previously received a letter grade. 
    Retesting requires a 30-day waiting period.  Department Chair approval is required after the second attempt. Submit a FCLE Retake Request Form.

Are online test preparation resources available?

What testing accommodations will be available?

  • Accommodations will be available for the Florida Civic Literacy Test, some beginning in Fall 2021 with more available in Spring 2022.

If high school students or students from another Florida public postsecondary institution pass the FCLE, will they have fulfilled both the assessment and the course requirements?

  • No. Students who pass the FCLE will still be required to pass an approved course once they enter MDC. Note:  MDC will use the FASTER system to electronically receive FCLE scores from other institutions.  Submit a Test Entry Request Form for requesting to have a test record entered in the MDC student record keeping system.

Do I need Civic Literacy Competency requirement as a dual enrollment student?

  • The secondary civics requirements in s. 1003.4282, F.S., states that public high school students are required to take the Florida Civic Literacy Exam (FCLE) while enrolled in a U.S. Government course; however, high school students who are dually enrolled (including dual enrollment students who are completing the requirements towards an Associates in Arts degree while in high school) are not required to demonstrate postsecondary civic literacy competency. As a result, the postsecondary civic literacy competency requirement is neither a condition of high school graduation nor a requirement for all dual enrollment students (public school, home education, and private school).

What if I matriculate after High School?

  • If the dual enrollment student plans to matriculate after high school graduation to a Florida College System (FCS) or State University System (SUS) institution to pursue an associate or baccalaureate degree, then they will have to comply with the postsecondary civic literacy competency requirement to obtain those degrees. As such, Department of Education guidance to high schools and FCS institutions would be to provide dual enrollment students the option to take the FCLE. Ultimately, allowing dual enrollment students to take the FCLE is at the discretion of the high school and postsecondary institution.

What if I am a homeschooled dual enrollment student?

  • Regarding dual enrollment students that are also homeschooled, homeschooled dual enrollment students enter into a dual enrollment articulation agreement with the college, pursuant to s. 1007.271, F.S. As such, if a homeschooled dual enrollment student opts to take the FCLE, it does not need to be included in the dual enrollment articulation agreement. If a home school dual enrollment student does opt to take the FCLE, the student must have a FLEID. A private school dual enrollment student who opts to take the FCLE would also need a FLEID.
  • College-district partnerships would need to determine how and where to direct home education and private school dual enrollment students to obtain a FLEID through the district; therefore, if and where the student tests is at the discretion of the college-district partnership.

Are dual enrollment students required to pass an approved course and assessment to demonstrate civic literacy competency?

  • No. Current dual enrollment students are not required to demonstrate postsecondary civic literacy competency while in high school, including those who are working towards an associate degree.
  • College-district partnerships would need to determine how and where to direct home education and private school dual enrollment students to obtain a FLEID through the district; therefore, if and where the student tests is at the discretion of the college-district partnership.

Please see the chart below that summarizes the guidance for dual enrollment students regarding the civic literacy competency requirement.

Questions Current Dual Enrollment Students Former Dual Enrollment Students
Are dual enrollment students required to pass an approved course and assessment to demonstrate civic literacy competency? No. Current dual enrollment students are not required to demonstrate postsecondary civic literacy competency while in high school, including those who are working towards an associate degree. However, current dual enrollment students may opt to take the Florida Civic Literacy Exam (FCLE).

Yes, under the following conditions:

Former dual enrollment students who matriculate to an FCS or SUS institution will have to demonstrate civic literacy competency if they enroll in the degree programs below:

• Associate Degree (AA, AS, AAS)

• Baccalaureate Degree (BA, BS, BAS)

Where should dual enrollment students be guided to take the FCLE?

Public School Students

• At the public high school*

• At the FCS institution, if available**

Home Education Students

• At the FCS institution, if available**

Private School Students

• At the FCS institution, if available**

At the FCS or SUS institution of enrollment.

*Public high schools are not required to offer the FCLE to dually enrolled students but may choose to do so at their discretion.

**FCS institutions are not required to offer the FCLE to dually enrolled students but may choose to do so at their discretion.

  • For public school dually enrolled students, this would be through a partnership arrangement with the public high school.
  • For home education or private school dually enrolled students, below are items that should be considered when deciding to allow them to take the FCLE.
    • How and where home education/private school students will obtain a FLEID
    • How home education/private school students will be informed where they can test
    • How often the test will be available to home education/private school students
    • Procedures for testing home education/private school students
      o How the score will be recorded on a home education/private school student’s record

For information about the FCLE, please visit the Learning Resources FCLE LibGuide and Testing and Assessment's FCLE webpage for Test Preparation resources.

  • POS 2041 American Federal Government (3 Credits)
    The American Constitution and its development, the organization and functions of the national government, political parties and the electoral process, and the relationship of the individual to the federal government.
  • AMH 2020 History of the United States since 1877 (3 Credits)
    A survey of social, economic, and political developments in the United States since 1877.

CLEP American Government is available at the Miami Dade College test centers. The CLEP can be used to meet the course and test requirement.

For more information please contact the MDC Social Sciences Department via the Partner Department Directory webpage.