The amendment specifies that emergent literacy training courses must be grounded in the science of reading. Additionally, the rule amendment removes incorporated form DEL-VPK 25, which lists the DEL-approved emergent literacy ....

 

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Division of Early Learning

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

6M-8.615VPK Training Requirements

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The amendment specifies that emergent literacy training courses must be grounded in the science of reading. Additionally, the rule amendment removes incorporated form DEL-VPK 25, which lists the DEL-approved emergent literacy and performance standards courses. Deleting this form from the rule provides the Department with necessary flexibility to post the approved training courses on the Department’s website without first requiring the Department to engage in rulemaking each time a course is added to or removed from the list.

SUMMARY: The rule establishes the minimum standards for courses in emergent literacy and in performance standards for students in the VPK education program, as well as outlines the training requirements for lead VPK instructors.

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 division'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: 1002.55(3)(c)2., 1002.59, F.S.

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

DATE AND TIME: March 27, 2024, 9:00 a.m.

PLACE: Winter Park High School, 2100 Summerfield Rd., Winter Park, FL 32792.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Katerina Maroney, Deputy Director of Programs and Policy, Division of Early Learning, 325 West Gaines Street., Tallahassee, Florida 32399, [phone]; [e-mail].

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

6M-8.615 VPK Training Requirements for Lead VPK Instructors.

(1) In accordance with Section 1002.59(1), F.S., the Department of Education (Department), in collaboration with the Just Read, Florida! Office adopts the following minimum standards for training courses in emergent literacy for prekindergarten instructors.

(a) The minimum standards shall align to the performance standards for students in the Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Education Program adopted in Rule 6M-8.602, F.A.C., and include:

1. Evidence-based content and instructional strategies grounded in the science of reading;

2. through 5. No change.

(b) through (e) No change.

(2) No change.

(3) As required by Section 1002.55(3)(c)2., F.S., the Department approves adopts the courses relating to emergent literacy and performance standards. listed in Form DEL-VPK 25 (September 2022) Training Requirements for Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Program Instructors, which is hereby incorporated by reference any may be obtained as described in Rule 6M-8.900, F.A.C., or found at http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-14705. The list of approved courses can be found on the Department’s website at https://origin.fldoe.org/schools/early-learning/providers/pro-learning.stml.

(a) The course listed in Form DEL-VPK 25 relating to emergent literacy meets the relative minimum standards for emergent literacy in Section 1002.59(1), F.S.

(b) The courses listed in Form DEL-VPK 25 relating to performance standards for Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) instructors meets the minimum standards for performance standards in Section 1002.59(2), F.S.

(4) In accordance with sections 1002.55(3)(c)2., 1002.61(4), and 1002.63(4), F.S., aAll lead VPK instructors, except a substitute instructor as provided in Section 1002.55(3)(e), F.S., or an additional VPK instructor for classes composed of twelve (12) or more students as provided in Section 1002.55(3)(f), F.S., must successfully complete the following training requirements courses from the list of approved courses in Form DEL-VPK 25:

(a) Three (3) five-hour emergent literacy courses or equivalent and a course on the performance standards adopted for use in the VPK program prior to the date a VPK class begins; and

(b) No change.

Rulemaking Authority 1002.59, 1002.79 FS. Law Implemented 1002.55(3)(c)2., 1002.59 FS. History-New 7-1-15, Amended 10-21-18, 5-3-22, 9-20-22,

 

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

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

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: February 20, 2024

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: January 12, 2024