What is FTE?
FTE (Full-Time Equivalent) is generally defined as one student in membership in a program or a group of programs for 1500 minutes (25 hours a week) for a 180-day school year. The FTE calculation is based on two 90-day terms. Each student in membership and in attendance will earn one-half (.50) FTE during each of two survey periods - Survey 2 (October) and Survey 3 (February).
FTE Surveys provide the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) with a snapshot of instructional activity occurring in Florida's public schools and provide our school districts with the data used to fund school staffing plans. Focus is our system and serves as the vehicle that provides all the demographic information along with the program placement, scheduling, attendance, discipline, etc. for each record submitted for funding. There are actually nine (9) surveys that are part of the State reporting process, and they all have an impact on funding.
Beginning with the 2013-2014 school year, the legislative action changed the formula for funding the Florida Virtual School (FLVS), which had received separate funding. School district funding is now being prorated to provide funding for students that take classes through FLVS during and before/after the school day and during the summer. Our school district, therefore, is receiving less funding to support the regular six-period school day when our students enroll in and complete FLVS courses.
Survey 2 and Survey 3
Surveys 2 and 3 apply to all schools, but Surveys 1 and 4 only apply to our Department of Juvenile Justice programs, which are mandated to operate all year. Survey 2 is our most important survey and is the survey during which Class Size Reduction is measured.
What is CSR?
CSR stands for Class Size Reduction and was voted on by the citizens of Florida in 2002. The current requirements affect core classes (math, language arts, science, social studies and computer science) in the State's public schools. The current caps are:
- Grades PK-3 - 18 students
- Grades 4-8 - 22 students
- Grades 9-12 - 25 students
- Charter schools, full choice and alternative schools, and choice districts use school-wide averages and are not bound by classroom averages. Our district is considered a choice district.
Meet Our Team
The FTE Team is composed of the FTE Office, managed by Naomi Coughlin, and individuals from our Technology and Information Services (TI&S) Department. Missy Atkinson (487-7512) is the primary T&IS contact.
Our Approach
We provide support to all elementary, middle, high, adult, alternative, DJJ, and charter schools/programs throughout our district. The following services are provided for schools:
- Annual FTE Training Updates
- School-Level Support for Learning
- Regular Communication to School Principals Regarding FTE Timelines
- Mock FTE Audits
- FTE Audit Assistance
- Others as Requested.
“The Leon County School District does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including transgender, gender nonconforming status, sexual orientation and diverse gender identities) marital status, age, ethnicity, religion, military status, pregnancy, disability or genetic information.”
