Office of Early Learning
RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:
6M-8.610Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Director Credential for Private Providers.
NOTICE OF CHANGE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the following changes have been made to the proposed rule in accordance with subparagraph 120.54(3)(d)1., F.S., published in Vol. 41, No. 62, March 31, 2015, issue of the Florida Administrative Register and are in response to written comments submitted by the Joint Administrative Procedures Committee staff.
(Substantial rewording of Rule 6M-8.610 follows. See Florida Administrative Code for present text.)
6M-8.610 Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Director Credential for Private Providers.
This rule has been substantially rewritten.
(1) A private prekindergarten program delivering the Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Education Program must have a director who has a VPK Director Credential. Successful completion of the Director Credential, as required by section 402.305(2)(f), F.S., and Rule 65C-22.003(8)(a), F.A.C., prior to December 31, 2006, shall satisfy this requirement.
(2) In accordance with section 1002.57(1), F.S., the Office of Early Learning (OEL) adopts the following minimum standards for a VPK Director Credential. The VPK Director Credential must include each the following:
(a) An instructor-led or online course, approved by OEL, on the VPK performance standards adopted under Rule 6M-8.602, F.A.C.
(b) An online training course, approved by OEL, on emergent literacy standards adopted under Rule 6M-8.615, F.A.C.
(c) An online course, approved by OEL, that addresses the following VPK Director competencies:
1. Organizational Leadership and Management – To implement strategies and techniques that promote a responsive work and learning environment, VPK directors shall be able to demonstrate knowledge and application of:
a. Management strategies that support a professional culture and climate;
b. Instructional leadership skills and the provision of supports to VPK instructors;
c. Available resources and supports for VPK instructors and parents; and
d. Local processes and procedures for the transition of VPK children to public and private kindergarten programs.
2. Financial and Legal – To maintain effective financial planning and budgeting systems and sound practices related to legal obligations and responsibilities, VPK directors shall be able to demonstrate knowledge and application of:
a. Applicable laws and rules and legal responsibilities;
b. Roles and responsibilities of state agencies, local coalitions, and providers;
c. Monitoring requirements; and
d. Financial operating procedures.
3. Program and Performance Standards – To maintain an instructional leadership role in creating and sustaining an effective learning environment, VPK directors shall be able to demonstrate knowledge and application of:
a. Developmentally appropriate and research-based instructional practices and their application in the classroom;
b. Evaluation of the appropriateness and effectiveness of available prekindergarten curricula;
c. Effective implementation of a prekindergarten curriculum in the classroom;
d. Effective instructional strategies for children with disabilities or other special needs and for English language learners;
e. Developmentally appropriate methods for the on-going assessment of young children and interpretation of these data for program planning and the delivery of instruction; and
f. Local and state accountability systems; and
(d) Education and onsite experience through the successful completion of the Director Credential, as established in Rule 65C-22.003(8)(a), F.A.C.
(3) The following OEL approved courses and credential will satisfy the minimum standards for the VPK Director Credential as established in paragraph (2) of this rule:
(a) DOE- Standards for Four-Year-Olds or Florida Standards for Four-Year-Olds- Online; and
(b) Emergent Literacy for VPK Instructors; and
(c) VPK Director Credential course; and
(d) A Director Credential issued in accordance with Rule 65C-22.003(8)(a), F.A.C.
(4)(a) A VPK Director Credential will be issued to an individual that has successfully completed all of the requirements established paragraph (3) of this rule.
(b) For purposes of this rule “successfully completed” is defined as follows:
1. For the online courses, an eighty percent passing rate on the course test.
2. For the DOE- Standards for Four-Year-Olds course, attendance and participation in full course, as verified by the OEL approved instructor of the course.
3. For the Director’s Credential, a current credential issued in accordance with Rule 65C-22.003(8)(a), F.A.C.
Rulemaking Authority 1001.213, 1002.57(1), 1002.79 FS. Law Implemented 1002.55(3)(g), 1002.57 FS. History–New 12-31-06, Amended 5-19-08, Formerly 6A-6.040, Amended .
