The purpose and effect of the proposed new rule is to identify the pre- and post-assessments that must be given to students who attend Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) and the requirements that must be met to effectively administer the assessments.

 

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

State Board of Education

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

6A-1.09433Voluntary Prekindergarten Pre- and Post-Assessments

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose and effect of the proposed new rule is to identify the pre- and post-assessments that must be given to students who attend Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) and the requirements that must be met to effectively administer the assessments.

SUMMARY: The proposed rule provides that the Florida VPK Assessment, which is a progress monitoring assessment, must be used by VPK providers to assess VPK students. In addition, the proposed rule provides that Teaching Strategies Gold, which was competitively procured, is the observational assessment that must also be used by VPK providers to assess VPK students. To properly administer these assessments, the proposed rule sets forth requirements that must be met, including training and minimum qualifications for the assessor.

SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION: The Agency has determined that this will not have an adverse impact on small business or likely increase directly or indirectly regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within one year after the implementation of the rule. A SERC has been prepared by the Agency.

In summary, the SERC estimates that the entities affected by the rule, namely VPK providers, should encounter minimal costs as a result of the proposed rule given that the assessments, and the training to give the assessments, will be provided to VPK providers free of charge and that any indirect costs to VPK providers associated with training has been minimized by offering training by a number of methods, including by DVD or online. The Agency has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification based on the statement of estimated regulatory costs.

Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 1001.02(2)(n), 1002.67(3) FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 1002.67(3), 1002.73(2)(d) FS.

A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:

DATE AND TIME: February 25, 2015, 2:15 p.m.

PLACE: Room LL03, The Capitol, 400 South Monroe Street, Tallahassee, Florida

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Mary Jane Tappen, Executive Vice Chancellor, K-12 Public Schools, 325 West Gaines Street, Suite 1502, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

6A-1.09433 Voluntary Prekindergarten Pre- and Post-Assessments.

(1) Pre- and Post-Assessments.

(a) Every private or public Voluntary Prekindergarten Education (VPK) Program provider must implement the pre- and post-assessments approved by the State Board of Education.

(b) The pre- and post-assessments approved by the State Board of Education include both a progress monitoring tool, known as the Florida VPK Assessment, and an observational instrument, known as Teaching Strategies Gold.

(2) Qualified assessors. The pre- and post-assessments shall be administered by individuals, consistent with the assessment publisher’s instructions, who are employed by a private VPK provider or school district and meet the following requirements:

(a) Participate in professional development training designed to ensure the proper administration of the approved pre- and post-assessments and that is:

1. Available through the Office of Early Learning (OEL) by OEL personnel or OEL trained individuals;

2. Web-based training, if available; or

3. Training by means of a DVD, if available; and

(b) Meet the minimum qualifications to be a VPK instructor during the school-year program, as set forth in Sections 1002.55 or 1002.63, F.S., regardless of the program (summer or school-year).

Rulemaking Authority 1001.02(2)(n), 1002.67(3) FS. Law Implemented 1002.67(3), 1002.73(2)(d) FS. History–New

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Mary Jane Tappen, Executive Vice Chancellor, K-12 Public Schools

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Pam Stewart, Commissioner, Department of Education

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: January 22, 2015

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: December 5, 2014