6M-8.615. VPK Training Requirements for Lead VPK Instructors

(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 align 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. Evidence-based content and instructional strategies grounded in the science of reading;

2. 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;

3. Multisensory approaches;

4. A pre- and post-assessment to measure participant learning outcomes; and

5. Facilitator 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;

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) 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. Learn how to increase the language skills of prekindergarten children;

2. Learn how to increase the complexity of the spoken language of prekindergarten children;

3. Develop skills to help prekindergarten children initiate conversations, ask questions, and respond to others;

4. Know how to improve the speaking, listening, and conversational skills of prekindergarten children; and,

5. Know how to expand the vocabulary of prekindergarten children.

(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) 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 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:

(a) Discusses the purpose, history, and development of the performance standards for students in the VPK Education Program;

(b) Leads participants to identify the domains, components, standards, and benchmarks in the performance standards for students in the VPK Education Program; and,

(c) Demonstrates how developmentally appropriate daily practices relate to the standards found in the performance standards for students in the VPK Education Program.

(3) As required by Section 1002.55(3)(c)2., F.S., the Department approves the courses relating to emergent literacy and performance standards. The list of approved courses can be found on the Department’s website at https://origin.fldoe.org/schools/early-learning/providers/pro-learning.stml.

(4) In accordance with sections 1002.55(3)(c)2., 1002.61(4), and 1002.63(4), F.S., all lead VPK instructors must successfully complete the following training requirements:

(a) Three (3) five-hour emergent literacy courses or equivalent and a course on the performance standards adopted for use in the VPK program; 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, 9-20-22, 4-30-24.