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Early Learning / Prekindergarten

 

 Early Learning / Prekindergarten 

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VPK Assessments

VPK Assessment Workgroup | Current Requirements | New VPK Reading and Math Assessments | VPK Assessment Data

VPK Assessment Workgroup

The VPK Assessment Workgroup includes representatives from school districts, early learning coalitions, and public and private VPK programs and was created to provide information and assistance to the Department of Education related to the development of the NEW VPK and K-12 Reading Assessments.

Current Screening/Assessment Requirements

  • Other than screening for vision and hearing, as required for licensed child care providers, there are no specific screening requirements for children enrolling in VPK programs (Section 411.01(4)(j), Florida Statutes).
  • School readiness programs must include the administration of a pretest and posttest to children as they enter and exit the program (Section 411.01(5)(c)2d, Florida Statutes).
  • Head Start programs are required to administer a pre and post assessment to measure growth within the program (45 CFR 1304.20(b)).

New VPK Reading and Math Assessments

  • Progress monitoring assessments in the broad areas of reading and math are being developed by the Florida Center for Reading Research for use in Florida’s VPK programs.
  • Four domains targeted by the VPK assessments including:
    • print knowledge
    • phonological awareness
    • vocabulary/oral language
    • mathematics.
  • The results will provide information about a child’s progress during the VPK year and an estimate of how he or she might perform on the kindergarten screening upon kindergarten entry.

These measures are:

  • aligned to the VPK Education Standards (PDF, 219KB) and the kindergarten screening (Florida Kindergarten Readiness Screener)
  • scheduled to be field-tested in 2009-10
  • scheduled to be available statewide in 2010-11.

VPK Assessment Data

During 2008-09, the Department of Education will be working with VPK providers, instructors, and directors to develop a Web-based system for entering the results of the VPK Assessments on-line. This Web-based Reporting System will:
  • create individual and classroom level reports to track progress
  • identify instructional strategies based upon the individual child’s performance
  • generate a letter to parents about their child’s performance on the assessment measure that includes strategies to use at home.