To implement the accountability requirements of the Voluntary Prekindergarten Program. The rule establishes the private provider and public school responsibilities for obtaining the assessment materials as well as the assessment ....

 

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Division of Early Learning

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

6M-8.620Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Pre- and Post-Assessment Compliance

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: To implement the accountability requirements of the Voluntary Prekindergarten Program. The rule establishes the private provider and public school responsibilities for obtaining the assessment materials as well as the assessment administration and submission deadlines. Coalition and school district verification responsibilities are also defined in the rule. The proposed revisions will be a complete rewrite and update the rule to conform with legislative changes. The rule title will be amended to Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Coordinated Screening and Progress Monitoring Program.

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. 1008.2125, 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.

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: 1002.68(1), 1008.2125, 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, FL 32399, Telephone: [phone] or email: [e-mail]

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

Substantial rewording of Rule 6M-8.620 follows. See Florida Administrative Code for present text.

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

(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 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 in Section 1002.67(1)(a), F.S., representative norms, and inform a private prekindergarten provider’s and public school’s performance metric.

(b) “Progress Monitoring One” (PM1) is the first thirty (30) instructional days of the VPK class schedule, beginning with the first VPK instructional day.

(c) “Progress Monitoring Two” (PM2) is 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 the instructional hours have been completed.

(d) “Progress Monitoring Three” (PM3) is the last thirty (30) instructional days of the VPK class schedule, ending with the last VPK instructional day.

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

(f) “VPK Class Schedule” is the approved VPK class calendar identified 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 Program.

(a) 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) 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) To be qualified as a test administrator, an individual must:

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

2. 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.

(5) Verification and Compliance.

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

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

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

Rulemaking Authority 1001.213(2), 1002.79, F.S. Law Implemented 1002.68(1), 1008.2125,1002.67(3), (4), 1002.73(2)(d) F.S. History–New 3-31-15, Amended 7-28-16,

 

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 13, 2022