The purpose of the rule is to adopt the names of the required training courses associated with the Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Education Program so that those individuals required to take training know the exact training they are required to ...

 

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Florida's Office of Early Learning

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

6M-8.615VPK Training Requirements

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of the rule is to adopt the names of the required training courses associated with the Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Education Program so that those individuals required to take training know the exact training they are required to take.

SUMMARY: The rule establishes minimum standards for emergent literacy and performance standards training courses for Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Education Program instructors. The rule also adopts the courses in emergent literacy and performance standards for VPK instructors, providing reference to a Form that describes how to access the courses.

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 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 prepared SERC.

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(3)(g), 1002.79 FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 1002.55(3)(c)2, 1002.55(3)(g), 1002.59 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: April 27, 2015 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. or at the conclusion of business whichever is earlier.

PLACE: via 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: . 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-8.615 VPK Training Requirements.

(1) In accordance with Section 1002.59(1), F.S., the Office of Early Learning (Office) adopts the following minimum standards for training courses in emergent literacy for prekindergarten instructors:

(a) The training course(s) must contain instruction in emergent reading with the goal that the participant will be able to:

1. Understand the importance of motivation and emergent reading;

2. Demonstrate knowledge of phonological awareness;

3. Identify alphabet knowledge and skills; and

4. Understand the importance of retelling stories to develop comprehension.

(b) The training course(s) must contain instruction in language and communication with the goal that the participant will be able to:

1. Learn how to increase the language skills of prekindergarten children;

2. Learn how to increase the complexity of the spoken language of prekindergarten children;

3. Develop skills to help prekindergarten children initiate conversations, ask questions, and respond to others;

4. Know how to improve the speaking, listening, and conversational skills of prekindergarten children; and

5. Know how to expand the vocabulary of prekindergarten children.

(c) The training course(s) must contain instruction in emergent writing with the goal that the participant will be able to:

1. Demonstrate how writing with children will influence the way they learn to communicate through writing;

2. Learn how to provide meaningful and purposeful writing opportunities to motivate and encourage children to explore print; and

3. Examine the skills and strategies needed to know how to coach children in writing throughout the year keeping in mind developmental needs of each child.

(2) In accordance with Section 1002.59(2), F.S., the Office adopts the following minimum standards for training course(s) in performance standards:

(a) The training course(s) must contain instruction in Florida Early Learning and Developmental Standards for Standards for Four-Year-Olds as adopted by reference in Rule 6M-8.602, F.A.C., that does the following:

1. Discusses the purpose, history, and development of the Florida Early Learning and Developmental Standards for Four-Year-Olds;

2. Leads participants to identify the domains, components, standards, and benchmarks in the Florida Early Learning and Developmental Standards for Four-Year-Olds; and

3. Demonstrates how developmentally appropriate daily practices relate to the standards found in the Florida Early Learning and Developmental Standards for Four-Year-Olds.

(3) As required by Section 1002.55(3)(c)2, F.S., the Office adopts the courses relating to emergent literacy and performance standards listed in Training Requirements: VPK Instructors (with CDA or equivalent), Form OEL-VPK 25, dated February 2015, which is hereby incorporated by reference and may be obtained as described in Rule 6M-8.900, F.A.C., or found at (F.A.C. LINK PLACEHOLDER).

(a) The course listed in OEL-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 OEL-VPK 25 relating to performance standards for Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) instructors meet the minimum standards for performance standards in Section 1002.59(2), F.S.

Rulemaking Authority 1001.213(2), 1002.55(3)(g), 1002.79 F.S. Law Implemented s. 1002.55(3)(c)2, 1002.55(3)(g), 1002.59 F.S. History–New __________.

 

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 31, 2015

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: 2/12/15