The proposed revisions update the rule and incorporated form in accordance with sections 1002.55(3)(c)2., 1002.59(1), 1002.61(4) and 1002.63(4), F.S. All VPK instructors will be required to complete emergent literacy and ....

 

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Division of Early Learning

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

6M-8.615VPK Training Requirements

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The proposed revisions update the rule and incorporated form in accordance with sections 1002.55(3)(c)2., 1002.59(1), 1002.61(4) and 1002.63(4), F.S. All VPK instructors will be required to complete emergent literacy and performance standards training requirements in accordance with the rule.

SUMMARY: The rule and incorporated form outline VPK provider eligibility requirements to deliver the VPK program.

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 does not exceed any of the criteria established in s. 120.541(2)(a), F.S.

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: 1002.79 F.S.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 1002.55(3)(c)2, 1002.59(1), 1002.61(4), 1002.63(4), F.S.

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

DATE AND TIME: August 17, 2022, 9:00 a.m.

PLACE: Pensacola State College, Switzer Center for Visual Arts (Bldg. 15), 1000 College Boulevard, Pensacola, FL 32504.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Cassandra Jackson, 325 West Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399, [phone]; [e-mail]

 

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 Department of Education (Department) in collaboration with the Just Read, Florida! Office adopts the following minimum standards for training courses in emergent literacy for prekindergarten instructors.

(a) The minimum standards shall:

1. aAlign to the performance standards for students in the Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Education Program adopted in Rule 6M-8.602, F.A.C., and include: ;

1. 2. Include Eevidence-based content and instructional strategies;

2. 3. Include Ccontent on the development of early learning skills, oral communication, knowledge of print and letters, phonological and phonemic awareness, vocabulary, comprehension development, and explicit and systematic instruction;

3. 4. Include Mmultisensory approaches;

4. 5. Include Aa pre- and post-assessment to measure participant learning outcomes; and

5. 6. Include Ffacilitator interaction and follow-up for online courses.

(b) The training course(s) content must contain evidence-based instructional strategies 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; and.

5. Understand instructional strategies that meet the needs of students with varying abilities.

(c) No change.

(d) The training course(s) content must contain instruction in evidence-based instructional strategies 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.

(e) No change.

(2) In accordance with Section 1002.59(2), F.S., the Department adopts the following minimum standards for training course(s) in performance standards. The training course(s) must contain instruction in the performance standards for students in the VPK Education Program as adopted in Rule 6M-8.602, F.A.C., that does the following:

(a) through (c) No change.

(3) As required by Section 1002.55(3)(c)2., F.S., the Department adopts the courses relating to emergent literacy and performance standards listed in Form DEL-VPK 25 (September May 2022) Training Requirements for Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Program Instructors, which is hereby incorporated by reference any may be obtained as described in Rule 6M-8.900, F.A.C., or found at http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-14186.

(a) through (b) No change.

(4) All VPK instructors, except a substitute instructor as provided in Section 1002.55(3)(e), F.S., or an additional VPK instructor for classes composed of twelve (12) or more students as provided in Section 1002.55(3)(f), F.S., must successfully complete the following training courses from the list of approved courses in Form DEL-VPK 25:

(a) Three (3) five-hour emergent literacy courses or equivalent and a course on the performance standards adopted for use in the VPK program prior to the date a VPK class begins; and

(b) One (1) emergent literacy course every five (5) calendar years after initially completing the three (3) emergent literacy courses.

Rulemaking Authority 1002.59, 1002.79 FS. Law Implemented 1002.55(3)(c)2., 1002.59 FS. History-New 7-1-15, Amended 10-21-18, 5-3-22,

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Cassandra Jackson, VPK Educational Policy Consultant, 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: July 19, 2022

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: June 15, 2022