To revise test administration timeframes to address alternate timeframes for nontraditional school-year calendars and summer programs. The amendment also adds clarifying language related to qualified test administrators ....

 

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: To revise test administration timeframes to address alternate timeframes for nontraditional school-year calendars and summer programs. The amendment also adds clarifying language related to qualified test administrators and early learning and school district responsibilities.

SUMMARY: Section 1002.68(1), F.S., requires each private prekindergarten provider and public school participating in the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program must participate in the coordinated screening and progress monitoring program in accordance with s. 1008.25, F.S. The coordinated screening and progress monitoring program results shall be used by the department to identify student learning gains, index development learning outcomes upon program completion relative to the performance standards established under s. 1002.67, F.S., and representative norms, and inform a private prekindergarten provider’s and public school’s performance metric.

Rule 6M-8.620, F.A.C., implements the coordinated screening and progress monitoring program requirements in VPK programs as statutorily mandated. The rule establishes the private provider and public school responsibilities for assessment administration, obtaining the assessment materials, assessor qualifications and compliance. Coalition and school district verification responsibilities are also defined in the rule.

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: October 18, 2023, 9:00 a.m.

PLACE: Caribe Royale Orlando, 8101 World Center Drive, Grand Sierra Ballroom D, Orlando, FL 32821.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Amber Gibbens, System Project Coordinator, 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 1002.68, F.S. The progress monitoring assessment 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 in Section 1002.67(1)(a), F.S., and representative norms, and inform a private prekindergarten provider’s and public school’s performance metric.

(b) “Progress Monitoring One” (PM1) is the first test administration thirty (30) instructional days of the VPK class schedule, beginning with the first VPK instructional day. For programs that have eighty-three (83) or more instructional days, PM1 must be administered in the first thirty (30) instructional days of the VPK class schedule beginning with the first VPK instructional day. For programs (including summer VPK) that have eighty-two (82) or fewer instructional days, PM1 is the first ten (10) instructional days of the VPK class schedule beginning with the first VPK instructional day.

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

(d) “Progress Monitoring Three” (PM3) is the third and final test administration last thirty (30) instructional days of the VPK class schedule, ending with the last VPK instructional day. For programs that have eighty-three (83) or more instructional days, PM3 must be administered in the last thirty (30) instructional days of the VPK class schedule ending on the last VPK instructional day. For programs (including summer VPK) that have eighty-two (82) or fewer instructional days, PM3 is the last ten (10) instructional days of the VPK class schedule ending on the last VPK instructional day.

(e) “Test Administrator” is the qualified person who administers the progress monitoring assessment to children enrolled in a the VPK program.

(f) “VPK Class Schedule” is the approved VPK class calendar identified in the on Class Registration Application ‒ Calendars (Form OEL-VPK 11B) in accordance with Rule 6M-8.300, F.A.C.

(2) The VPK Coordinated Screening and Progress Monitoring Administration Program.

(a) Each 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. 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. Every private and public school VPK program must participate in the coordinated screening and progress monitoring program, which is to be administered in school-year programs and summer programs a minimum of three (3) times within a program in accordance with Section 1008.2125, F.S. Each private prekindergarten provider and public school must provide a student’s performance results from the coordinated screening and progress monitoring to the student’s parents within seven (7) days after the administration of such coordinated screening and progress monitoring.

(b) Progress monitoring must be administered by qualified test administrators as defined in subsection (3) of this rule.

(c) Progress monitoring must be administered in English on an electronic device that is seven (7) inches or larger with audio capabilities, to individual students or small groups of two (2) to five (5) students. Student headphones must be used in small groups.

(d) Testing accommodations must be made in accordance with a student’s current individual educational plan (IEP) or 504 accommodation issued by the local school district.

(b) Assessment administration materials.

1. The assessment shall be administered on a touchscreen device that is seven (7) inches or larger with audio capabilities. Student headphones shall be used when administration occurs in group sizes of two (2) to five (5) students.

2. A broadband internet connection (DSL, satellite or cable) is required for administration of the assessment.

(3) Qualified Test Administrators.

(a) Prior to administering progress monitoring, A To be qualified as a test administrator, an individual must:

(a) 1. Be employed by a public or private VPK provider or school district; and

(b) 2. Beginning with the 2024-2025 program year, annually complete training designed to ensure the proper administration of the progress monitoring. Submit documentation of completed progress monitoring training and signed copies of the Test Administration and Security Agreement and Test Administrator Prohibited Activities Agreement to the VPK provider for uploading via the Provider Portal. Complete, and document completion of, professional development training that is designed to ensure the proper administration of the assessment.

(b) Early Learning Coalitions shall verify each that test administrator meets the requirements outlined in paragraph (3)(a) of this rule.

(4) Administration.

(a) Private and public school VPK programs shall administer the assessment during PM1, PM2, and PM3 as defined in subsection (1) of this rule. The assessment must be administered by qualified test administrators as defined in subsection (3) of this rule.

(b) The assessment shall be administered individually or in a small group with no more than five (5) students.

(c) The assessment shall be administered in English.

(d) Testing accommodations shall be made in accordance with a student’s current Individual Educational Plan (IEP) or 504 plan issued by the local school district.

(4) (5) Early Learning Coalition and School District Responsibilities Verification and Compliance.

(a) Each coalition and school district must shall assign a staff member to register and serve as the coalition or school district progress monitoring administrator for the assessment on behalf of the coalition or district.

(b) The coalition or school district administrator must shall access the available vendor’s system reports during progress monitoring assessment windows to verify which VPK programs have administered the progress monitoring assessment for PM1, PM2, and PM3.

(c) Each Early Learning cCoalition must shall document attempts to notify private and public school VPK programs that have not administered the progress monitoring, assessment for PM1, PM2, and PM3 of the private and public school provider’s responsibility to do so.

(d) Each coalition must collect documentation to verify that each test administrator meets the requirements outlined in paragraph (3)(a) of this rule.

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,

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Amber Gibbens, System Project Coordinator, Division of Early Learning.

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

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: September 18, 2023

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: August 28, 2023