Early Learning / Prekindergarten
Early Learning / Prekindergarten![]() |
| Text Index |
Custom Search
|
Implementing Florida's Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Education Program
Florida Kindergarten Readiness Screener (FLKRS)
The Florida Kindergarten Readiness Screener (FLKRS) is administered to assess the readiness of each child for kindergarten. The FLKRS includes a subset of the Early Childhood Observation System™ (ECHOS™) and the first two measures of the Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills™ (DIBELS™) for kindergarten (Letter Naming Fluency and Initial Sound Fluency) to gather information on a child’s development in emergent literacy.
Commissioner Smith Announces 2007 Kindergarten Readiness Results
Memo 08-06 FLKRS 2008 Regional Training Memo
Florida Kindergarten Readiness Screener (FLKRS) State Report of District Results Fall 2007
Legislative Authority and Purpose
- Section 1002.69(1), Florida Statutes, (F.S.) directed the Florida Department of Education to establish a kindergarten readiness screening based upon Florida’s Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Education Standards.
- Section 1002.69(1), F.S., also specifies that the Department of Education shall require each public school to administer a kindergarten readiness screening to all kindergarten students in the school district within the first 30 school days of each school year. Additionally, each parent who enrolls his or her child in the VPK Education Program in the previous school year must voluntarily submit the child for the FLKRS, regardless of whether the child is admitted to kindergarten in a public or non-public school.
- Section 1002.69(4), F.S., also requires each school district to designate sites for administering the FLKRS for VPK Education Program participants who will be attending kindergarten in a non-public school
Equivalent Credentials for VPK Instructors: An Overview and Recommendations
VPK Instructor Qualifications
On June 21, 2005, the State Board of Education (SBE) adopted additional educational credentials as meeting the requirements for school-year VPK instructors. The following documents provide information regarding relevant statutory requirements and their implementation in VPK programs. These resources were developed to assist private providers, school districts, and early learning coalitions in their implementation of VPK instructor qualification requirements.
VPK Instructor Credential Checklists
- School-Year VPK Instructor Credential Qualifications: Public and Private Providers (01-2007) (PDF)
- Summer VPK Instructor Credential Qualifications: Public and Private Providers (PDF)
Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Instructor Qualifications
- Memo #07-02: TAP #07-01 Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Instructor Qualifications (1-24-07) (PDF)
- Technical Assistance Paper # 07-01: Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Instructor Qualifications (PDF)
Statutory Requirements
- Equivalent Credentials for VPK Instructors: Adopted by the State Board of Education, June 21, 2005 (PDF)
- Attachment 1: Current and Proposed Bachelor’s (and Higher) Degrees (PDF)
- Attachment 2: Current and Proposed Associate’s Degrees (PDF)
For Providers
VPK Provider - Kindergarten Readiness Rate WebsiteVPK Director Endorsement Course
- VPK Director Endorsement Course Release Flyer (PDF)
- You can access the online course on the Department of Children and Families Child Care Training Website
VPK Memos
- Memo # 07-01: Technical Assistance Paper #07-02: 2004-05 and 2005-06 School District Participation and Impact of Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK Program (1-24-07) (PDF)
- Technical Assistance Paper # 07-02: Technical Assistance Paper #07-02: 2004-05 and 2005-06 School District Participation and Impact of Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Program (PDF)
Adoption of Rule 6A-6.040, Florida Administrative Code
- Memo #06-13, 7-11-06 (PDF)
- Attachment (PDF)
Paperless Communication Sign-Up for VPK Information
- Memo #05-06, 11-08-05 (PDF)
VPK Tools
- VPK Provider Guide - DCF
- Transitioning from VPK to Kindergarten: Provider/School Database
- Learning Activities and Choosing Curricula for VPK Education Programs (PDF)
- VPK Provider Brochure - AWI (PDF)

