FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
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STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
Dr. Eric J. Smith
T. WILLARD FAIR,
Chairman
Commissioner of Education
Members
PETER BOULWARE
DR. AKSHAY DESAI
ROBERTO MARTÍNEZ
Contact Information
JOHN R. PADGET
Shan Goff
KATHLEEN SHANAHAN
(805) 245-0445
LINDA K. TAYLOR
Shan.
G
off@fldoe.org
August 10, 2009
DPS: 2009-161
MEMORANDUM 09-20
TO:
Interested Persons
District
Prekindergarten
Contacts
Early Learning Coalition Executive Directors
FROM:
Shan Goff, Executive Director, Office of Early Learning
SUBJECT:
Announcement of Rule Development Workshops: 2008-09 Voluntary
Prekindergarten (VPK) Provider Kindergarten Readiness Rate and Information
on the New 2009-10 Florida Assessments for Instruction in Reading
2008-09 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 2008-09 VPK Provider Kindergarten Readiness Rate, we
have scheduled six Rule Development Workshops (see attachments for copies of the DRAFT
Rule and scheduled workshops).
2009-10 NEW Florida Assessments for Instruction in Reading
Since 2006-07, the Florida Kindergarten Readiness Screener (FLKRS) has consisted of the
Early Childhood Observation System (ECHOS) and two measures of the Dynamic 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 in Reading that have been developed in collaboration with
the Florida Center for Reading Research. The new screenings are aligned with the VPK
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
August 10, 2009
Page Two
Education Standards and will be administered by the kindergarten teacher. Information on the
new screening instruments was initially provided during the 2007-08 Readiness Rate Rule
Development workshops and at various statewide conferences. This information will again 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
Matt Guse
Early Learning Coalition Chairpersons
District Assessment Coordinators
District Assistant Superintendents of Instruction
