6M-8.701. Provider on Probation; Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program Annual Probation Progress Report; Second and Subsequent Year Probation

(1) Probation. A provider remains on probation until it meets the minimum rate adopted by the Office as satisfactory under Section 1002.69(6), F.S. An early learning coalition or school district, as applicable, shall place on second or subsequent year probation any Voluntary Prekindergarten Education (VPK) provider which receives kindergarten readiness rates for the same program type (school-year or summer) which fail to meet the minimum readiness rates adopted by the Office of Early Learning as satisfactory under Section 1002.69(6), F.S., for two or more consecutive years. For the purpose of this rule, consecutive years means years in which a VPK provider receives kindergarten readiness rates for the same program type (school-year or summer).

(2) Second or Subsequent Year Probation Corrective Action. A VPK provider that remains on probation under this rule must submit an annual probation progress report electronically through the website https://vpk.fldoe.org/. The annual probation progress report must demonstrate progress toward meeting the specific actions for improvement in the target areas identified in the provider’s approved improvement plan. The provider must have an approved probation progress report in place for at least 30 days prior to receiving an advance payment and for at least 30 days prior to offering VPK instruction for the program type for which the provider must submit a probation progress report, as applicable. A VPK provider may submit a probation progress report any time after the Office of Early Learning posts the final readiness rates. The probation progress report shall provide information regarding the provider’s progress in implementing its improvement plan approved under Rule 6M-8.700, F.A.C. The second or subsequent year probation progress report shall contain a description of strategies for improvement of the VPK program that includes the following:

(a) A list of target areas for the VPK provider’s improvement per Rule 6M-8.700, F.A.C., and any additional areas a provider deems important to its improvement, including specifically;

1. Identification and description of the provider’s use of an approved curriculum or a staff development plan in accordance with Sections 1002.67(4)(c)2.-3., F.S., including all associated program materials and professional development elements associated with the approved curriculum or staff development plan as described in paragraph 6M-8.700(1)(a) and subsection (4), F.A.C.; and,

2. Identification and description of the provider’s action steps in the additional target area(s) as described in paragraph 6M-8.700(1)(b), F.A.C.;

(b) A list of specific actions the VPK provider will take in the future for improvement of the target areas; and,

(c) An implementation schedule or timeline for the VPK provider to implement any proposed actions.

(3) The provider must complete the provider acknowledgement on Form OEL-VPK 05A (January 2016) in accordance with Rule 6M-8.700, F.A.C. A copy of the form may be obtained as provided in Rule 6M-8.900, F.A.C. or at https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-06524.

Rulemaking Authority 1001.213, 1002.79 FS. Law Implemented 1002.67(4)(c)2., 1002.75(3)(b) FS. History–New 3-26-13, Amended 2-2-15, 6-23-16.