The rule revises language that outlines the requirements of the curriculum review and approval process to reflect amended statutory language. Additionally, the rule updates incorporated documents and forms associated with ....

 

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Division of Early Learning

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

6M-8.604Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Curriculum Approval Process

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The rule revises language that outlines the requirements of the curriculum review and approval process to reflect amended statutory language. Additionally, the rule updates incorporated documents and forms associated with the VPK curriculum review process.

SUMMARY: The rule outlines the requirements, policies and procedures of the VPK curriculum review and approval process for VPK providers that fail to meet the minimum provider performance metric and designation in accordance with Section 1002.67(2)(c), F.S.

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 not been prepared by the Agency.

The Agency has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification based on the statement of estimated regulatory costs or if no SERC is required, the information expressly relied upon and described herein: The agency's economic analysis of the adverse impact or potential regulatory costs of the proposed rule does not exceed any of the criteria established in s. 120.541(2)(a), F.S. and will not require legislative ratification.

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), 1002.79, F.S.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 1002.67, F.S.

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

DATE AND TIME: January 15, 2025, 9:00 a.m. CST.

PLACE: Destin High School, 4325 Commons Drive W, Destin, Florida 32541.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Katerina Maroney, 325 West Gaines Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399, [phone] or [e-mail].

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

Substantial rewording of Rule 6M-8.604 follows. See Florida Administrative Code for present text.

6M-8.604 Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Curriculum Approval Process.

(1) Purpose. The purpose of the rule is to adopt procedures for the review and approval of curricula for use by private prekindergarten providers and public schools on probation in accordance with Section (s.) 1002.67(2)(c), Florida Statutes (F.S.). A provider on probation is one who earns a performance designation of below expectations or unsatisfactory in accordance with Rule 6M-8.622, F.A.C.

(2) Policy and Procedures.

(a) The Florida Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Education Program Policies and Procedures for Curriculum Approval sets forth the procedures that must be compiled for curricula to be evaluated for approval.

(b) To be considered for evaluation, publishers must submit a comprehensive curriculum package and the forms specified in subparagraph (7)(b)1. through 6., to the department by the deadlines established by the department.

(3) Deadlines. The department will post deadlines for the documents and forms required of publishers listed in subsection (7) on the Division of Early Learning’s website at: https://www.fldoe.org/schools/early-learning/providers/vpk-curriculum.stml/. Publishers will be provided no fewer than 30 days notice of any deadline.

(4) Evaluation and Approval of Curricula. To be approved, curricula submitted by publishers must meet the specifications described in the VPK Curriculum Approval Specifications for Providers on Probation and must:

(a) Meet requirements as described in s. 1002.67(2)(b), F.S.;

(b) Comply with s. 1001.42(8)(c)3., F.S.;

(c) Be aligned to performance standards adopted in Rule 6M-8.602, F.A.C., as described in the approved specifications; and

(d) Receive an average score of one (1) on a scale of zero (0) to two (2) in the six (6) major priority areas: content, presentation, learning, professional learning, parent/family materials and research base.

(5) Posting and Approval of Curricula.

(a) A listing of approved curricula will be posted on the Division of Early Learning’s website at https://www.fldoe.org/schools/early-learning/providers/vpk-curriculum.stml/ and will be effective for a term no less than three (3) years.

(b) To remain on the listing of approved curricula, cost for the approved comprehensive curriculum package, including professional learning, must not increase during the three (3) year approval term; the approved comprehensive curricula package (all material and professional learning) must be available for purchase by providers on probation and no changes can be made to the approved comprehensive curricula package except as approved by the department as provided in subsection (6) of this rule.

(6) Curriculum Application for Minimal Revisions. Publishers who have made minimal revisions to the approved comprehensive curriculum package, including professional learning, must submit Form VPKC7, VPK Curriculum Application for Minimal Revisions, for review and approval before changes to an approved comprehensive curriculum package posted on the Division of Early Learning’s website as referenced in subsection (5) may be made.

(a) Form VPKC7, VPK Curriculum Application for Minimal Revisions, will be accepted for review when more than six (6) months have elapsed since the most recent approval by the department.

(b) A publisher must submit Form VPKC7, VPK Curriculum Application for Minimal Revisions, via email to [e-mail].

(7) The following documents and forms are incorporated in this rule by reference and are available on the Division of Early Learning’s website at https://www.fldoe.org/schools/early-learning/providers/vpk-curriculum.stml/:

(a) Florida Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Education Program: Curriculum Approval Specifications for Providers on Probation (DOS link)(February 2025);

(b) Florida Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Education Program: Policies and Procedures for Curriculum Approval (DOS link)(February 2025), which includes Forms VPKC1, Publisher’s Intent to Submit Form; VPKC2, Publisher’s Registration and Agreement Form; VPKC3, Performance Standards Alignment Form; VPKC4, Scope and Sequence; VPKC5, Professional Learning Plan; VPKC6, Publisher’s Submission Overview; and VPKC7, VPK Curriculum Application for Minimal Revisions.

Rulemaking Authority 1001.02(2)(n), 1002.67, 1002.79 FS. Law Implemented 1002.67 FS. History–New 11-22-12, Formerly 6A-1.099825, Amended 8-20-18,

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Katerina Maroney, Deputy Director of Programs and Policy, Division of Early Learning

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Commissioner Manny Diaz, Jr.

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: December 19, 2024

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: November 27, 2024