FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
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STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
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Dr. Eric J. Smith
Commissioner of Education
T. WILLARD FAIR,
Chairman
Members
DR. AKSHAY DESAI
ROBERTO MARTÍNEZ
PHOEBE RAULERSON
KATHLEEN SHANAHAN
LINDA K. TAYLOR
August 1
4
, 2008
MEMORANDUM 08-16
TO:
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Interested
Persons
District
Prekindergarten
Contacts
Early Learning Coalition Executive Directors
Early Learning Coalition Chairpersons
FROM:
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Shan
Goff,
Executive
Director, Office of Early Learning
SUBJECT:
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Announcement of Rule Development Workshops: 2007-08 Voluntary
Prekindergarten (VPK) Providers Kindergarten Readiness Rate and
Information on the new Florida Assessments for Instruction and Reading
2007-08 VPK Provider Kindergarten Readiness Rate Rule
One of the major accountability components of Florida’s Voluntary Prekindergarten
(VPK) Education Program is the calculation of the VPK Provider Kindergarten
Readiness Rate. These rates are calculated based upon the performance of VPK
“graduates” on the statewide kindergarten screening. The state’s first Readiness Rates
were released in June 2007 (for more information, go to: VPK Provider Kindergarten
Readiness Rate Website - Home). The method used to calculate the Readiness Rate is
determined annually and approved by the State Board of Education via Rule 6A-
1.099821, Florida Administrative Code. To gather public input on the methodology for
calculating the 2007-08 VPK Provider Kindergarten Readiness Rates, we have
scheduled seven Rule Development Workshops (see attachments for DRAFT Rule and
schedule for workshops).
2009-10 NEW Kindergarten Screening Instruments
Since 2006-07, the Florida Kindergarten Readiness Screener (FLKRS) has consisted of
the Early Childhood Observation System (ECHOS) and two measures of the Dynamic
SHAN GOFF
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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
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OFFICE OF EARLY LEARNING
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325 W. GAINES STREET • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-0445 • www.fldoe.org
Interested Persons
District Prekindergarten Contacts
Early Learning Coalition Executive Directors
Early Learning Coalition Chairpersons
August 1
4
, 2008
Page Two
Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS): Letter Naming Fluency and Initial
Sound Fluency. Beginning with the 2009-10 school year, the DIBELS measures will be
replaced with the new Florida Assessments for Instruction and Reading that have been
developed in collaboration with the Florida Center for Reading Research. The new
screenings are aligned with the VPK Education Standards and will be administered by
the kindergarten teacher. Information about these new screening instruments will also
be provided at the rule development workshops referenced above.
For more information regarding the proposed rule, please contact the Office of Early
Learning, at 1-866-447-1159 or via email, earlylearning@fldoe.org.
SG/ep
Attachments (2)
cc:
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Brittany
Birken
John Hughes
District Assessment Coordinators
District Assistant Superintendents of Instruction
