The purpose of the revised rule is to align the content and criteria for approval of the early learning school readiness plans with previously revised school readiness rules.

 

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Florida’s Office of Early Learning

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

6M-9.115Procedures and Criteria for Approval of School Readiness Plans

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of the revised rule is to align the content and criteria for approval of the early learning school readiness plans with previously revised school readiness rules.

SUMMARY: The revised rule will align with the requirements of implementing the school readiness program.

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 office'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. This rule aligns the requirements of the school readiness plan with previously revised school readiness rules.

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: 1001.213(2), 1002.85(1), FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 1002.85, FS.

IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW (IF NOT REQUESTED, THIS HEARING WILL NOT BE HELD):

DATE AND TIME: Thursday, March 23, 2017, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. ET, or at the conclusion of business whichever is earlier

PLACE: via GoToWebinar only. To register for the webinar, please visit: http://www.floridaearlylearning.com/statewide_initiatives/laws_and_rules/proposed_rules.aspx

Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in this workshop/meeting is asked to advise the agency at least 48 hours before the workshop/meeting by contacting: Katerina Maroney [phone]; [e-mail]. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1(800)955-8771 (TDD) or 1(800)955-8770 (Voice).

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Katerina Maroney, School Readiness Policy Supervisor, Office of Early Learning, 250 Marriott Dr., Tallahassee, Florida 32399, [phone]; [e-mail]

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

6M-9.115 Procedures and Criteria for Approval of School Readiness Plans.

(1) Plan development. Each early learning coalition shall develop and implement a school readiness plan. The school readiness plan shall include the minimum standards as required by Section 1002.85(2), F.S., and the School Readiness Plan Guide and Template, Form OEL-SR 115, including attachment IV.A “Coalition Budget Report” and attachment IV.B. “Coalition Revenue and Expenditures Report”, (May 2017) September 2014, which are adopted and hereby incorporated by reference. A copy of Form OEL-SR 115 may be obtained at the office website at www.floridaearlylearning.com or by contacting the Office of Early Learning, Department of Education, 250 Marriott Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32399. The incorporated form is also available at: http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-05140. Rule Chapter 69I-73, F.A.C. (March 2008), as cited in the School Readiness Plan Guide, is incorporated by reference. A copy of the rule chapter may be obtained by contacting the Office of Early Learning at the address above or at http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-05141.

(2) Plan submission. A coalition shall submit its school readiness plan and any amendments in accordance with the instructions found in Form OEL-SR 115.

(a) Each early learning coalition shall submit an electronic copy of its proposed school readiness plan to the Office of Early Learning (OEL) within 30 days of board approval and before implementation.

(b) The coalition shall submit an amendment to the plan shall be submitted to the office in the event of a change to any element of the approved plan and before implementation.

(3) OEL review. After receipt of a complete school readiness plan or amendment (including required supporting documents), OEL shall respond to the coalition within 3 business days acknowledging receipt of the plan amendment. OEL shall review the plan or amendment and approve, reject, or approve with conditions the provisions of the plan or amendment and provide written notification to the early learning coalition of its action within 30 business days of receipt of the completed document. OEL shall base its approval, rejection, or approval with conditions on the coalition’s compliance with Chapter 1002, Part VI, F.S., the federal Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) Block Grant Florida State Plan, the federal CCDF regulations located at Title 45 Code of Federal Regulations Part 98, Subparts B through G and KJ and the School Readiness Plan Guide. The coalition shall not implement school readiness plans or amendments cannot be implemented without the express written approval of OEL.

(4) Rejection of school readiness plans. If OEL rejects a school readiness plan or amendment, it shall specify, in writing, the grounds for rejection. If OEL rejects a school readiness plan amendment, the early learning coalition shall is required to continue to operate under its prior approved plan.

Rulemaking Authority 1001.213(2), 1002.85(1) FS. Law Implemented 1002.85 FS. History–New 4-5-15, Amended-----.

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Katerina Maroney, School Readiness Policy Supervisor

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Rodney J. MacKinnon, Executive Director

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: February 24, 2017

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: February 1, 2017