The purpose of the rule is to adopt additional minimum standards and educational requirements for an individual to receive the VPK director credential. These new requirements are aligned with the Performance Standards for Children Participating in ...

 

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 adopt additional minimum standards and educational requirements for an individual to receive the VPK director credential. These new requirements are aligned with the Performance Standards for Children Participating in VPK.

SUMMARY: The rule establishes requirements for successful completion of the Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Education Program Director Credential.

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 potentially have a slight cost of $10.00 per online training course. Since individuals that have their VPK Director Credential prior to November 1, 2017 are not impacted by the rule revision, a minimum amount of providers and/or individuals will be impacted by the cost.

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: August 3, 2017, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., or at the conclusion of business whichever is earlier.

PLACE: GoToWebinar; information regarding registration may be found at: 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 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 a VPK Director Credential.

(a) 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, shall satisfy this requirement.

(b) Successful completion of the minimum standards listed in paragraphs (2)(a) through (d) of this Rule and completion of the education and onsite requirements listed in paragraphs (3)(a) through (d) of this Rule prior to November 1, 2017, shall satisfy this requirement.

(2)(a) No change.

(b) An online training course, approved by OEL, on emergent literacy standards adopted under Rule 6M-8.615, F.A.C.

(c) No change.

(d) No change.

(e) An online course, approved by OEL, designed to deepen an individual’s understanding of mathematical concepts and skills appropriate for preschool-aged children.

(f) An online course, approved by OEL, designed to deepen an individual’s understanding of the use of language and vocabulary in VPK classrooms.

(3) The following OEL approved courses and credential will satisfy the minimum standards for the VPK Director Credential as established in subsection (2) of this rule:

(a) DOE ‒ Standards for Four-Year-Olds or Florida Standards for Four-Year-Olds- Online; and,

(b) Emergent Literacy for VPK Instructors (online); and,

(c) VPK Director Credential course; and,

(d) A Director Credential issued in accordance with paragraph 65C-22.003(8)(a), F.A.C.;

(e) Mathematical Thinking for Early Learners (online); and

(f) Language and Vocabulary in the VPK Classroom (online).

(4)(a) No change.

(b) For purposes of this rule “successfully completed” is defined as follows:

1. For the online courses, an eighty (80) percent passing rate on the course test.

2. No change.

3. No change.

Rulemaking Authority 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 1-11-16,___________.

 

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, Executive Director

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: June 29, 2017

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: May 23, 2017