The proposed revisions update the rule based on legislative changes to sections 1002.55 (3)(g) and 1002.57 F.S.

 

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Office of Early Learning

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

6M-8.610Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Director Credential for Private Providers

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The proposed revisions update the rule based on legislative changes to sections 1002.55 (3)(g) and 1002.57 F.S.

SUMMARY: The rule establishes the minimum standards for the VPK 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 department'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: 1002.53(3)(g), 1002.57 F.S.

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

DATE AND TIME: Wednesday, September 1, 2021 from 2:00 p.m.- 3:00 p.m. EST or until business is concluded whichever is earlier

PLACE: via GoToWebinar only. To register for the webinar, please visit 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 48 hours before the workshop/meeting by contacting: Cassandra Jackson [phone]; [e-mail]. 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: Cassandra Jackson, VPK Educational Policy Consultant, Division of Early Learning, 250 Marriott Dr., Tallahassee, Florida 32399, [phone]; [e-mail]

 

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. An administrator of a private prekindergarten program who holds a valid certificate in educational leadership issued by the Florida Department of Education (department) as defined in rule 6A-4.0082 F.A.C. satisfies the requirement for a prekindergarten director credential under section 1002.57, F.S.

(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) In accordance with section 1002.57(1), F.S., the department Office of Early Learning (OEL) adopts the following minimum standards for a VPK Director Credential. The VPK Director Credential must include each of the following:

(a) An instructor-led or online course, approved by the department OEL, on the VPK performance standards adopted under rule 6M-8.602, F.A.C.

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

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

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

(e) An online course, approved by the department OEL, that addresses the following VPK Director competencies:

1. through 3. No Change

(f) Education and onsite experience through the successful completion of the Director Credential, as established in in section 4.7 and subsection 4.8.3 as adopted in the Florida Department of Children and Families Child Care Facility Handbook, May 2019October 2017, incorporated by reference in rule 65C-22.001, F.A.C. The Florida Department of Children and Families Child Care Facility Handbook, May 2019October 2017 is incorporated by reference. The handbook may be obtained from the Department of Children and Families website at https://www.myflfamilies.com/service-programs/child-care/ www.myflorida.com/childcare or from the following link:https://www.flrules.org/gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-11491 http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-09845.

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

(a) Implementing the Florida Standards in Preschool Classrooms: 3 Years Old to Kindergarten (instructor-led or and online);

(b) through (e) No Change

(f) A Director Credential issued in accordance with standards set forth in section 4.7 and subsection 4.8.3 as adopted in the Florida Department of Children and Families Child Care Facility Handbook, May 2019October 2017, incorporated by reference in rule 65C-22.001, F.A.C.

(4)(a) No Change

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

1. No Change

2. For the Implementing the Florida Standards in Preschool Classrooms: 3 Years Old to Kindergarten instructor-led course, attendance and participation in full course, as verified by the departmentOEL approved instructor of the course.

3. For the Director’s Credential, a current credential issued in accordance with in section 4.7 and subsection 4.8.3 as adopted in the Florida Department of Children and Families Child Care Facility Handbook, May 2019October 2017, incorporated by reference in rule 65C-22.001, F.A.C.

Rulemaking Authority 1002.73(2)(b), 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, 10-15-17, 10-21-18, DATE

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Katerina Maroney, Deputy Director of Programs and Policy

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Shan Goff, Director

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: July 26, 2021

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: June 18, 2021