To provide detailed requirements of standard, professional credentials that are considered equivalent to statutorily defined credentials found in s. 1002.55(4)(a)-(d), F.S., that will allow a larger pool of qualified instructors to teach the VPK ...

 

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

State Board of Education

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

6A-4.01411Equivalent Credentials for the Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Education Program

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: To provide detailed requirements of standard, professional credentials that are considered equivalent to statutorily defined credentials found in s. 1002.55(4)(a)-(d), F.S., that will allow a larger pool of qualified instructors to teach the VPK education program during the school-year.

SUMMARY: This new rule lists equivalent credentials for the Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Education Program for School-Year 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: This proposed rule is not expected to have any adverse impact on economic growth, business competitiveness or any other factors listed in s. 120.541(2)(a), F.S., and is not expected to require legislative ratification, as the rule expands educational credentials needed to qualify as a VPK instructor. The proposed rule revisions do not impose new costs on any stakeholder.

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), 1002.55(4)(e), FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 1002.55(4)(e), 1002.63(5), FS.

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

DATE AND TIME: May 16, 2018, 9:00 a.m.

PLACE: Pinellas County School Board Office: 301 4th Street SW, Largo, FL 33770.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Dr. Tara Huls, VPK Program and Policy Manager, 250 Marriott Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32399, [phone].

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

6A-4.01411 Equivalent Credentials for the Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Education Program for School-Year Instructors

(1) The department approves the following educational credentials for VPK instructors during the school year program as being equivalent to or greater than an educational credential described in s. 1002.55(4)(a)-(d), F.S.:

(a) An as sociate’s degree i n earl y child ho o d ed ucation;

(b) A bachelor’s or higher degree in family and child sciences and at least 480 hours of experience in teaching or providing child care services for children any age from birth through eight (8) years of age;

(c) A bachelor’s or higher degree in:

1. Exceptional student education or special education;

2. Mental disabilities, mentally handicapped or mentally impaired;

3. Specific learning disabilities;

4. Physically impaired;

5. Varying exceptionalities;

6. Emotional disabilities;

7. Deaf or hard of hearing or hearing impaired; or,

8. Speech-language pathology, speech-language impaired or speech correction.

(d) A valid Temporary or Professional Florida Educator’s Certificate in the area of:

1. Prekindergarten/primary education (age three through grade three);

2. Preschool education (birth through age four);

3. Elementary education (grades 1-6) or (Kindergarten through grade 6);

4. Early childhood education (nursery through kindergarten);

5. Primary education (Kindergarten through grade 3);

6. Exceptional student education (grades K-12);

7. Deaf or hard of hearing or hearing impaired (grades K-12);

8. Speech-language impaired or speech-language impaired associate (grades K-12);

9. Prekindergarten disabilities (endorsement);

10. Physically impaired (grades K-12);

11. Mentally handicapped (grades K-12);

12. Specific learning disabilities (grades K-12);

13. Varying exceptionalities (grades K-12); or,

14. Emotionally handicapped (grades K-12).

(e) A valid license issued by the Florida Department of Health to serve as a:

1. Physical therapist or,

2. Speech language pathologist.

(2) A VPK instructor must not be ineligible for certification under s. 1012.315, F.S., or ineligible to teach in a public school because his or her educator certificate is suspended, revoked or otherwise sanctioned by the Education Practice Commission.

Rulemaking Authority 1001.213(2), 1002.55(4)(e). Law Implemented 1002.55(4)(e), 1002.63(5) FS. New

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Dr. Tara Huls, Manager, VPK Program and Policy.

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Pam Stewart, Commissioner, Department of Education.

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: April 13, 2018

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: February 16, 2018