March 1, 2011

VPK News From DOE

VPK Readiness Rate

The preliminary readiness rate for VPK has been set at 140, pending the approval by the State Board of Education. The final readiness rate is currently on schedule to be presented and approved by the Board on March 15, 2011.

VPK Education Standards Revisions

Did you know that the Department of Education is required by legislation to revise the VPK Education Standards every three years? Well it is that time again and the 2011 Standards are on their way.

The Agency for Workforce Innovation/Office of Early Learning (AWI) and the Department of Education/Office of Early Learning (DOE) are working collaboratively to develop one set of standards for Florida’s four-year-olds participating in either the School Readiness or Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Education Program. The anticipated release date is summer 2011.

The one set of standards will be used for VPK and School Readiness.

The revised four-year-old standards, adopted by the State Board of Education and promulgated into rule by AWI will continue to provide guidance for early learning programs. DOE and AWI are working collaboratively to plan a comprehensive training program that will include the revisions to the four-year-old standards. Information on training will be available after the revisions are complete.

Where can I find additional information during the process, as it becomes available?

Both the AWI/OEL website (www.flbt5.com) and the DOE/OEL website (www.fldoe.org/earlylearning/perform.asp) will update providers on progress. DOE and AWI are committed to providing periodic status updates to coalitions, school districts, providers, and other early learning stakeholders. Additionally, updates will be available in the Department of Children and Families’ quarterly mail out to providers.

For additional information on the revision project for the four-year-old standards, contact:

Agency for Workforce Innovation, Office of Early Learning: 1-866-357-3239
Department of Education, Office of Early Learning: 1-866-447-1159

This excerpt is taken from the “ One Set of Standards Awareness Flyer”. The entire flier can be accessed on the DOE website.

___________________________________________________________________________

VPK Assessment Kit

The Florida Center for Reading Research has developed the Florida Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Assessment, in collaboration with the Department of Education. The purpose of this assessment is to provide teachers with valid and reliable feedback regarding children's progress in attaining the skills in the VPK Education Standards, so that teachers may use this information to inform instructional decisions in the VPK classroom. This assessment is completely voluntary and serves as a tool to support VPK teachers.

The VPK Assessment includes progress monitoring measures in the areas of Print Knowledge, Phonological Awareness, Mathematics, and Oral Language/Vocabulary that are aligned with the VPK Education Standards

Assessment period 2 occurred between February 1 and 28, 2011. For more information on the VPK Assessment visit the DOE website and click on the links below:

Memo # 2010-231 December 21, 2010 - Florida Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Assessment Ordering Process (Word, 86KB)

How to Order the VPK Assessment

http://www.flvpkonline.org/teachertoolkit/assessment/index.htm

Just a Reminder
Be sure to check out the DOE website, www.fldoe.org/earlylearning regularly for updates and professional development resources related to VPK. There are all sorts of supports available for VPK programs and teachers.