The proposed rule amendment revises test administration requirements for summer VPK programs, from three test administrations to two test administrations. Additional revisions include revising the definition of Progress ....

 

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Division of Early Learning

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

6M-8.620Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Coordinated Screening and Progress Monitoring Program

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The proposed rule amendment revises test administration requirements for summer VPK programs, from three test administrations to two test administrations. Additional revisions include revising the definition of Progress Monitoring Two (PM2), by stipulating that only school-year programs must administer PM2 during the designated window.

SUMMARY: The rule outlines the requirements and criteria for coordinated screening and progress monitoring and establishes the private provider and public school responsibilities for assessment administration and accountability compliance.

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 agency'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: 1002.68(1), 1008.25(9), F.S.

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

DATE AND TIME: July 24, 2024, 9:00 a.m.

PLACE: Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel, 9939 Universal Blvd, Suwannee 18/19/20, Orlando, FL 32819.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Katerina Maroney, Deputy Director of Programs and Policy, Division of Early Learning, [e-mail].

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

6M-8.620 Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Coordinated Screening and Progress Monitoring Program.

(1) Definitions. As used in this rule:

(a) “Coordinated Screening and Progress Monitoring Program” is the statewide, standardized program implemented in all VPK programs, as required by Section (s.) 1002.68, F.S. The progress monitoring results shall be used to identify student learning gains, index development learning outcomes upon program completion relative to the performance standards in early literacy and mathematics established under s. Section 1002.67(1)(a), F.S., and representative norms, and inform a private prekindergarten provider’s and public school’s performance metric.

(b) No change.

(c) “Progress Monitoring Two” (PM2) is the second test administration. For school-year programs, PM2 must be administered in the period of time in a VPK class schedule where at least forty (40) percent 40% and no more than sixty (60) percent 60% of a program’s instructional hours have been completed.

(d) through (f) No change.

(2) Coordinated Screening and Progress Monitoring Administration.

(a) For school-year programs, eEach private and public school VPK program must administer coordinated screening and progress monitoring at least three (3) times during PM1, PM2, and PM3, in accordance with s. 1008.25(9)(b)1., F.S. For summer programs, each private and public school VPK program must administer PM1 and PM3, in accordance with s. 1008.25(9)(b)2., F.S. Every program must provide a student’s performance results from the coordinated screening and progress monitoring to the student’s parents within seven (7) calendar days after the administration.

(b) through (d) No change.

(3) Qualified Test Administrators. Prior to administering progress monitoring, a. A qualified test administrator must:

(a) through (b) No change.

(4) Early Learning Coalition and School District Responsibilities.

(a) No change.  

(b) The coalition or school district administrator must access the available reports during progress monitoring windows to verify which VPK programs have administered the progress monitoring for PM1, PM2 (school-year programs only), and PM3.

(c) Each coalitions must document attempts to notify VPK programs that have not administered the progress monitoring for PM1, PM2 (school-year programs only), and PM3.

(d) No change.

Rulemaking Authority 1001.02(2)(n), 1002.79 FS. Law Implemented 1002.68(1), 1008.25(9) FS. History–New 3-31-15, Amended 7-28-16, 9-20-22, 11-21-23,

 

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

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

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: June 17, 2024

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: April 25, 2024