6A-6.0530. Summer Bridge Program

(1) Purpose. The purpose of this rule is to set forth the requirements of the Summer Bridge Program in accordance with s. 1008.25(5)(b), F.S. These programs are provided by school districts before enrollment in kindergarten to eligible Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) children from private and public VPK providers.

(2) Student Eligibility. A VPK student who scores below the tenth (10th) percentile on Progress Monitoring (PM) 3 as set forth in Rule 6M-8.620, F.A.C., or who had a non-participation status of “assessment inappropriate,” “failed practice,” or “non-English speaker” on PM 3 is eligible to participate in the Summer Bridge Program the summer before entering kindergarten.

(3) Parental Notification. Every VPK program will provide a parent with the results of PM 3 in accordance with Rule 6M-8.620, F.A.C., including a statement of student eligibility for the Summer Bridge Program.

(4) Instructional Requirements. Instruction in the Summer Bridge Program must:

(a) Consist of four (4) hours per day for a minimum of one hundred (100) hours total;

(b) Be aligned with the Florida Early Learning and Developmental Standards: 4 Years Old to Kindergarten, as described in Rule 6M-8.602, F.A.C., with an emphasis on emergent literacy instruction grounded in the science of reading;

(c) Be delivered face-to-face in a prekindergarten or kindergarten classroom in an elementary school setting with a maximum of 1:12 instructor-student ratio; and

(d) Be led by an instructor who meets the school year or summer prekindergarten instructor qualifications, in accordance with sections 1002.55(3)(c)2., 1002.61(4), and 1002.63(4), F.S., or is holding a valid active Florida educator certificate in Elementary Education K-6 pursuant to Rule 6A-4.0151, F.A.C., Pre-Kindergarten/Primary Education PK-3 pursuant to Rule 6A-4.0142, F.A.C., or Preschool Education Birth-Age 4 pursuant to Rule 6A-4.0141, F.A.C.

(5) School District Requirements. School districts must:

(a) Enroll eligible students who meet district registration requirements;

(b) Keep a daily record of a student’s attendance in the program;

(c) Notify the parent that the enrolled student is eligible to participate in the New Worlds Reading Initiative, as described in s. 1003.485, F.S;

(d) Notify the parent that the enrolled student is eligible for a New Worlds Scholarship Account, as described in s. 1002.411, F.S; and

(e) Provide an annual report to the Department by October 1 containing the following information for enrolled students:

1. The student’s name;

2. The student’s FLEID;

3. The number of Summer Bridge Program instructional days the student attended; and

4. The total number of students served by the school district in the Summer Bridge Program.

Rulemaking Authority 1001.02(2)(n), 1002.79 FS. Laws implemented 1008.25(5)(b) FS. History—New 11-18-24.