To 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 ....

 

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Division of Early Learning

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

6M-8.615VPK Training Requirements

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: To 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 forms 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. 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: 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: February 9, 2022, 9:00 a.m.

PLACE: Tallahassee Community College, Student Union Ballroom, 444 Appleyard Dr., Tallahassee, FL 32304.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Cassandra Jackson, VPK Educational Policy Consultant, Division of Early Learning, [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 Office of Early Learning (Office) adopts the following minimum standards for training courses in emergent literacy for prekindergarten instructors.:

(a) The minimum standards shall:

1. Align to the performance standards for students in the Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Education Program adopted in Rule 6M-8.602;

2. Include evidence-based content and instructional strategies;

3. Include content 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;

4. Include multisensory approaches;

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

6. Include facilitator interaction and follow-up for online courses.

(b) (a) The training course(s) content must contain evidence-based instructional strategies instruction in emergent reading with the goal that the participant will be able to:

1. through 4. No Change.

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

(c) (b) The training course(s) content must contain evidence-based instructional strategies instruction in language and communication with the goal that the participant will be able to:

1. through 5. No Change.

(d) (c) 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. through 3. No Change.

(e) As used in this rule, “evidence-based” means demonstrating a statistically significant effect on improving student outcomes.

(2) In accordance with section 1002.59(2), F.S., the Department Office adopts the following minimum standards for training course(s) in performance standards.: (a) The training course(s) must contain instruction in the performance standards for students in the VPK Education Program Florida Early Learning and Developmental Standards: 4 Years Old to Kindergarten (October 2017) as adopted in rule 6M-8.602, F.A.C., that does the following:

(a) 1. Discusses the purpose, history, and development of the performance standards for students in the VPK Education Program Florida Early Learning and Developmental Standards: 4 Years Old to Kindergarten (October 2017);

(b) 2. Leads participants to identify the domains, components, standards, and benchmarks in the performance standards for students in the VPK Education Program Florida Early Learning and Developmental Standards: 4 Years Old to Kindergarten (October 2017); and,

(c) 3. Demonstrates how developmentally appropriate daily practices relate to the standards found in the performance standards for students in the VPK Education Program Florida Early Learning and Developmental Standards: 4 Years Old to Kindergarten (October 2017).

(3) As required by section 1002.55(3)(c)2., F.S., the Department Office adopts the courses relating to emergent literacy and performance standards listed in Form DEL-VPK 25 (March 2022) Training Requirements for Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Program Instructors, Training Requirements: VPK Instructors (with CDA or equivalent), Form OEL-VPK 25 (October 2018), 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-09853.

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

Rulemaking Authority 1001.213(2), 1002.79 FS. Law Implemented 1002.55(3)(c)2., 1002.59 FS. History-New 7-1-15, Amended 10-21-18,

 

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: Richard Corcoran, Commissioner, Department of Education.

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: December 16, 2021

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: October 25, 2021