The Higher Education Act of 2008 by the federal government contains several provisions regarding textbook affordability. In response to this act, the Florida Legislature enacted statute 1004.085, Textbook Affordability (click here for statute). In response to this statute, a Florida Administrative code was developed. This Rule (6A-14.092) has certain requirements, as follows:
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Pursuant to Section 1004.085, F.S., institutions within the Florida College System shall:
(1) Adopt textbooks no later than forty-five (45) days prior to the first day of classes to allow sufficient lead time to bookstores to work with publishers so as to confirm availability of the requested materials and to ensure maximum availability of used books. Where courses are added after this forty-five (45) day deadline, textbooks for such courses shall be adopted as soon as is feasible to ensure sufficient lead time.
(2) Pursuant to Section 1004.085(3), F.S., for those classes added after the thirty (30) day notification deadline, institutions shall post textbook information on their websites immediately as such information becomes available.
(3) Collect and maintain, before textbook adoption is finalized, written or electronically transmitted certifications from course instructors attesting:
(a) That all textbooks and other instructional items ordered will be used, particularly each individual item sold as part of a bundled package, and
(b) The extent to which a new edition differs significantly and substantively from earlier versions, and the value of changing to a new edition.
(4) Provide assistance as requested by the statewide textbook affordability workgroup established by the Department of Education to recommend policies and strategies that address the availability of required textbooks to students otherwise unable to afford the cost. The workgroup shall consist of nine representatives from institutions within the Florida College System chosen based on variable student enrollment (small and large student populations), geographic location (north, central and south) and economic status of student body (high population receiving need-based financial aid). A report shall be submitted by the workgroup to the State Board of Education by December 1, 2009, that identifies the policies.
Specific Authority 1004.085(3), (4) FS. Law Implemented 1004.085 FS. History-New 2-25-09.
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The goal of all of this legislation is to reduce the cost of textbooks for students. The report mentioned above also is available online at http://www.fldoe.org/cc/pdf/fcstawfr.pdf. This report contains many good strategies for reducing the cost of textbooks and parts of it will be incorporated in the 2010-11 Faculty Handbook and is on the web at www.palmbeachstate.edu/textbookaffordability.xml.
Reporting Requirements for Faculty
To be in compliance with the statutes and rules, a committee of faculty and administrators designed a process and web form.
All faculty (full-time and adjunct) will be required to complete the on-line form which meets the requirements set forth in Section 3 of FAC 6A-14.092(listed above). This form will allow faculty to attest that all items students are required to purchase are used in class (including all items in a "bundle") and the extent to which a new edition differs significantly and substantively from earlier versions.
This web form must be completed for each class that the faculty member/instructor teaches, once per year, as part of the textbook review and adoption process. As stated in Board Policy 6Hx-18-2.11, once textbooks are selected they must be used for at least three years.
The web form is available through the College's EmployeeWeb system. To access EmployeeWeb, go to the web page at www.palmbeachstate.edu/employeeweb.xml. The textbook Certification link is located on the Faculty/Advisors tab.
For a tutorial document on how to complete the online form, please see the web page at: www.palmbeachstate.edu/textbooktutorial.xml.
Summary:
1. What faculty and instructors need to do: Complete online web form for each course they teach.
2. How they accomplish this: They access a web form on EmployeeWeb at: http://www.palmbeachstate.edu/employeeweb.xml and select the Faculty/instructors Tab, and click on the Textbook Certification item.
3. When they need to do this: This task must be completed by May 7, 2010 for all classes an instructor is scheduled to teach at Palm Beach State College. If additional classes are to be taught by the faculty member/instructor as the academic year progresses, faculty/instructors are required to enter these additional courses in the tool as assigned.
If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Ginger Pedersen - pederseg@palmbeachstate.edu.
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