Florida Civic Literacy Exam (FCLE) and Graduation Requirements |
Florida’s civic literacy competency requirements mandate that students entering SFSC to pursue an A.A. or bachelor’s degree program demonstrate competency in civic literacy through various approved methods. These include completing specific coursework, passing standardized exams, or taking the Florida Civic Literacy Exam (FCLE).
The Four Competency Areas
| 1 | American Democracy | Understanding of the basic principles and practices of American democracy and how they are applied in our republican form of government |
| 2 | U.S. Constitution | An understanding of the United States Constitution and its application |
| 3 | Founding Documents | Knowledge of the founding documents and how they have shaped the nature and functions of our institutions of self-government |
| 4 | Landmark Impact on Law and Society | An understanding of landmark Supreme Court cases, landmark legislation, and landmark executive actions, and their impact on law and society |
The information below outlines all available pathways and includes resources to help you prepare for the FCLE.
Civic Literacy Student Requirements
| Catalog Year | Student Type | Degree Type | Requirement |
|
Fall 2018 through Summer 2021 (Terms Fall 201910 – Summer 202130) |
First-time in college (FTIC) students during the 2018-2019 academic year, 2019-2020 academic year, and 2020-2021 academic year |
|
Pass a course (AMH 1020 or POS 1041) OR pass an assessment The following AP or CLEP can be used to meet the assessment and course requirement:
The FCLE may only be used to fulfill the assessment requirement and must be passed with a minimum score of 60%. |
|
Fall 2021 through Summer 2022 (Terms Fall 202210 – Summer 202230) |
Students entering during the 2021-22 academic year |
|
Pass a course (AMH 1020 or POS 1041) AND pass an assessment The following AP or CLEP can be used to meet the assessment and course requirement:
The AICE and IB exams can only be used to meet the course requirement. The FCLE may only be used to fulfill the assessment requirement and must be passed with a minimum score of 60%. |
|
Fall 2022 to Summer 2024 (Terms Fall 202310 – Summer 202430) |
Students entering during the 2022-23 academic year |
|
Pass a course (AMH 1020 or POS 1041) AND pass an assessment The following AP or CLEP can be used to meet the assessment and course requirement:
The AICE and IB exams can only be used to meet the course requirement. The FCLE may only be used to meet the assessment requirement and must be passed with a minimum score of 60%. |
|
Fall 2024 to Current (Terms Fall 202510 – Current) |
Students entering during the 2024-25 academic year to current |
|
Pass a course (AMH 1010 [AMH 1010 satisfies the course requirement if completed after the start of fall 2024], AMH 1020, POS 1041) AND pass an assessment The following AP or CLEP exams can be used to meet the assessment and course requirement:
The AICE and IB exams can only be used to meet the course requirement. The FCLE can only be used to meet the assessment requirement. |
Dual Enrolled Students
- If you are a dual-enrolled student graduating at SFSC while in high school, you are not required to take the FCLE.
- If dual enrollment students plan 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, they will have to comply with the postsecondary civic literacy competency requirement to obtain those degrees.
Testing Requirements
The exam may be taken for the first time at any point—before, during, or after enrollment in AMH 1010, AMH 1020, or POS 1041.
- Appointments are required for testing.
- Currently, FCLE testing is not available online and must be completed on campus.
| Cost | None |
| Identification Needed (one from the list) |
|
| Time | Untimed, but plan for 2 to 2.5 hours |
| Questions | 80 |
| Grade Needed | 60%; 48 correct out of 80 |
| Retest Option | 30-day waiting period with possible exceptions made on a case-by-case basis |
(For Highlands Campus testers only)
Or Contact the Testing Center Near You
|
Campus |
Phone |
|
|
Highlands |
863-784-7214 |
|
|
Lake Placid |
863-465-3003 |
|
|
DeSoto |
863-993-1757 |
|
|
Hardee |
863-773-3081 |
Accommodations
To request ADA testing accommodations, email Charla Ellerker or call 863-784-7176 well in advance of your anticipated testing date and request a virtual or phone appointment.
Note:
- Personal items will not be permitted in the Testing Center. A locker will be provided for all personal items.
- Arrive 15 minutes early for your appointment.
- Testing candidates are the only people allowed in the Testing Center. Relatives/friends must wait outside the Testing Center. Children are not to be left unattended in the Testing Center lobby or anywhere outside during the duration of testing.
- What is the retake policy for students? Students will be able to retake the exam in 30 days; exceptions may be granted upon consideration.
- For information on taking CLEP Exams, visit: southflorida.edu/current-students/testing-center/college-level-examination-program
Civic Literacy Resources
Supplemental Guide to the FCLE (FLDOE) https://www.fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/5663/urlt/SuppGuideFCLE.pdf
Florida Civic Literacy Examination (FCLE) Sample Items https://www.fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/5663/urlt/FCLESampleItem.pdf
Practice Test – FLDOE https://login4.cambiumtds.com/student_core/V176/Pages/LoginShell.aspx?c=Florida_PT&a=Student
Lesson Plan: AP Government Key Founding Documents Review https://www.c-span.org/classroom/document/?9301
Khan Academy – AP®︎/College US Government and Politics https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ap-us-government-and-politics
Khan Academy – The Bill of Rights https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/us-history/road-to-revolution/creating-a-nation/a/the-bill-of-rights
The Supreme Court Historical Society – Landmark Cases of the Supreme Court https://landmarkcases.org/
American Bar Association – Landmark Cases of the Supreme Court https://www.americanbar.org/groups/public_education/programs/constitution_day/landmark-cases/
TSC Learning Commons – FLCE – Principles of Democracy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3sngRpv4iU
TSC Learning Commons – FLCE – Founding Documents https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nztmIevl5Dk
TSC Learning Commons – FLCE – The Constitution https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2Qt0s6bLPQ
TSC Learning Commons – FLCE – Landmark Cases of the Supreme Court https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rN4ti8scr4E
Dr. Ali Jencik – Founding Documents – Civic Literacy Bootcamp https://youtu.be/UG1QztGCaBE?si=2F7W6vlllKCUuj8k
FAU Civic Literacy Test Prep 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6f7HCGLvug
FAU Civic Literacy Test Prep 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNeS6GTIyIU
