Early Learning/Prekindergarten - Education Standards

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Implementing Florida's Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Education Program

Florida’s Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Education Standards

The Florida VPK Education Standards (2008) were formally adopted by the State Board of Education on August 19, 2008. These standards create a common framework and language to for VPK programs serving Florida’s four-year-old children. The VPK Standards are reviewed and revised, as needed, every three years.

Based on collaboration with a Panel of Experts and public input from citizens across the state, the standards reflect the latest research on child development and developmentally appropriate practices for four-year-old children. Benchmarks are now available three areas: the domains of Language and Communication and Emergent Literacy, and in Mathematical Thinking, further explaining what Florida’s children should know and be able to do at the end of the VPK experience.

To ensure all VPK teachers effectively utilize the Standards, training has been developed. This training is based on the most current early childhood research and is appropriate for all VPK instructors. The participants will be introduced to the VPK Standards, which are guidelines that describe what children should know and be able to do at the end of the VPK year.

To register for upcoming Standards training, where participants receive an inservice certificate and a copy of the VPK Education Standards, contact your DOE VPK Regional Facilitator. Trainings are provided free of charge.

The 2008 VPK Education Standards book will be available mid-October 2008 for download as a PDF, or for purchase through the Florida Institute of Education.

Click here for a list of the 2008 VPK Education Standards and Benchmarks. (PDF, 104KB)

Florida Department of Education