FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
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    STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
    John L. Winn
    Commissioner of Education
    F. PHILIP HANDY,
    Chairman
    T. WILLARD FAIR,
    Vice Chairman
    Members
    DONNA G. CALLAWAY
    JULIA L. JOHNSON
    ROBERTO MARTÍNEZ
    PHOEBE RAULERSON
    LINDA K. TAYLOR
    November 3, 2005
    MEMORANDUM
    TO:
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    Early Learning Coalition Chairs
    Early Learning Coalition Executive Directors
    FROM:
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    John L. Winn, Commissioner
    SUBJECT:
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    Enrollment in Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) School-Year Education Programs
    On behalf of the State Board of Education, I want to thank you for all your efforts toward the successful
    implementation of Florida’s VPK program. Your continuing hard work moves us closer to our goal of having
    all children enter kindergarten ready to learn.
    We would also like to take this opportunity to encourage you to continue activities to expand the current
    enrollment of children in the 540-hour school-year VPK program. We know that the school-year program
    provides four-year-olds more time to learn than they would have in the 300-hour summer program. Continuing
    to increase the enrollment in the school-year program will also defray the impact of the summer program on
    both public and private providers.
    The attached charts compare the number of four-year-olds expected to be served (147,235) and the number
    currently enrolled (81,090). The difference (66,145) could potentially be served in a 300-hour summer program
    through local school districts. January enrollment and stepped up efforts to enroll more children may
    significantly reduce the need for summer programs.
    Again, we applaud the tremendous job you have already done to implement this inaugural year of VPK. Florida
    is poised to become the recognized national leader in high-quality VPK programs because of the collaborative
    effort to help tens of thousands more children be successful in school and in life. I pledge to you our continuing
    support, collaboration, and ongoing commitment to the success of Florida’s Voluntary Prekindergarten
    Education Program.
    jlw/mh
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    Attachments
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    cc:
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    Susan
    Pareigis
    Gladys
    Wilson
    Superintendents
    325 W. GAINES STREET • SUITE 1514 • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-0505 • www.fldoe.org

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