The purpose of the rule is to revise and update the process by which an individual receives a VPK director’s credential to coincide with technological advances made since the rule was last revised.

 

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Florida’s Office of Early Learning

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

6M-8.610Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Director Credential for Private Providers

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of the rule is to revise and update the process by which an individual receives a VPK director’s credential to coincide with technological advances made since the rule was last revised.

SUMMARY: The rule establishes requirements for successful completion of the Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Education Program Director Credential. The rule names the required courses that were previously only incorporated by reference and indicates that these courses are available online. The rule also adopts an updated version of the Director Credential Application (Form OEL-VPK 27).

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 revisions did not exceed any of the criteria established in Section 120.541(2)(a), Florida Statutes. A SERC is not required because the rule revisions merely codify existing courses that are offered and have no additional adverse impact than what is currently required.

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, 1002.57(1), 1002.79 FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 1002.55(3)(g), 1002.57 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:

DATE AND TIME: Tuesday, April 21, 2015, 1:00 p.m. ‒ 2:30 p.m., ET or at the conclusion of business whichever is earlier

PLACE: GoToWebinar; information regarding registration may be found at: http://www.floridaearlylearning.com/oel_resources/rules_guidance_technical_assistance/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 7 days before the workshop/meeting by contacting: Tara Huls [phone]. 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: Tara Huls, Bureau Chief, VPK Program and Policy, Office of Early Learning, 250 Marriott Dr., Tallahassee, Florida 32399, [phone]

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

6M-8.610 Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Director Credential for Private Providers.

(1) A private prekindergarten program delivering the Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Education Program must have a director who has an a active VPK Director Credential. Successful completion of the Director Credential, as required by Section 402.305(2)(f), F.S., and paragraph 65C-22.003(8)(a), F.A.C., prior to December 31, 2006 the effective date of this rule shall satisfy this requirement.

(2)(1) Any VPK director applying for a Director Credential after January 1, 2007 must complete all requiremnts Requirements for the VPK Director Credential. To be eligible for the Voluntary Prekindergarten VPK Director Credential, applicants must successfully complete the following requirements:

(a) A Florida credential certificate program, as referenced in paragraph 65C-22.003(8)(a), F.A.C., approved by the Department of Children and Families (DCF) and the Office of Early Learning (OEL) Department of Education (DOE);

(b) OEL DOE-approved instructor-led or online courses training on the VPK education standards adopted by the State Board of Education;

(c) OEL DOE-approved online course(s) on emergent literacy; and

(d) OEL DOE-approved online course(s) that address 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.

(3) The following OEL approved courses will satisfy the training requirements for the VPK Director Credential:

(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

(4) An applicant for the VPK Director Credential must register for online and instructor-led OEL courses through the DCF Child Care Training system at http://www.myflfamilies.com/service-programs/child-care/training.

(5)(2) Procedure for obtaining and maintaining an active VPK Director Credential.

(a) An applicant for the VPK Director Credential must complete and submit the Florida Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Director Credential Application, Form OEL-VPK 27, dated February 2015, Form DOE-DCA 01-07 which is incorporated by reference to become effective with the effective date of this rule. A copy of Form OEL-VPK 27 is available on the DCF Child Care Training website at http://www.myflfamilies.com/service-programs/child-care/forms-and-applications or <FAR LINK PLACEHOLDER>.

(b) The VPK Director Credential will be issued by DCF upon verification of the completed application and supporting documentation that the applicant has met the educational requirements and onsite experience through completion of the above referenced DCF Florida credential certificate program, as referenced in paragraph 65C-22.003(8)(a), F.A.C. and educational requirements for a VPK Director Credential.

(3) Effective Date and Renewal. If the applicant obtained the DCF Director Credential prior to the effective date of this rule, the expiration date of the VPK Director Credential will be the same as the applicant’s DCF Director Credential. If the applicant did not obtain the DCF Director Credential prior to the effective date of this rule, the expiration date of the VPK Director Credential shall be in accordance with subparagraph 65C-22.003(8)(d)2., FAC. To maintain an active VPK Director Credential, the director of a private prekindergarten program delivering the Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Education Program must meet the requirements in paragraph 65C-22.003(8)(d), F.A.C.

(6)(4) Revocation. The OEL Department will revoke the VPK Director Credentials of a person who provided false information on an application for a VPK Director Credential.

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_____________.

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Tara Huls, Bureau Chief, VPK Program and Policy

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

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: March 27, 2015

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: March 6, 2015