Florida Administrative Code › 6 - DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION › 6M - Division of Early Learning › Chapter 6M-8 - DIVISION OF EARLY LEARNING - VOLUNTARY PREKINDERGARTEN PROGRAM › Section 6M-8.610 - Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Director Credential for Private Providers

Current through Reg. 50, No. 138; July 16, 2024
(1) A private prekindergarten program
				delivering the Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Education Program must have a
				director who has a VPK Director Credential. An private school administrator of
				a private prekindergarten program who holds a valid certificate in educational
				leadership issued by the Florida Department of Education (department) as
				defined in Rule 6A-4.0082, F.A.C., satisfies the
				requirement for a prekindergarten director credential under Section
				1002.57, F.S.
(2) In accordance with Section
				1002.57(1),
				F.S., the department adopts the following minimum standards for a VPK Director
				Credential. The VPK Director Credential must include each of the following:
(a) An instructor-led or online course,
				approved by the department, on the VPK performance standards adopted under Rule
				6M-8.602, F.A.C.
(b) An online course, approved by the
				department, on emergent literacy standards adopted under Rule
				6M-8.615, F.A.C.
(c) An online course, approved by the
				department, designed to deepen an individual's understanding of mathematical
				concepts and skills appropriate for preschool-aged children.
(d) An online course, approved by the
				department, designed to deepen an individual's understanding of the use of
				language and vocabulary in VPK classrooms.
(e) An online course, approved by the
				department, that addresses the following VPK Director competencies:
1. Organizational Leadership and Management -
				To implement strategies and techniques that promote a responsive work and
				learning environment, VPK directors shall be able to demonstrate knowledge and
				application of:
a. Management strategies that
				support a professional culture and climate;
b. Instructional leadership skills and the
				provision of supports to VPK instructors;
c. Available resources and supports for VPK
				instructors and parents; and,
d.
				Local processes and procedures for the transition of VPK children to public and
				private kindergarten programs.
2. Financial and Legal - To maintain
				effective financial planning and budgeting systems and sound practices related
				to legal obligations and responsibilities, VPK directors shall be able to
				demonstrate knowledge and application of:
a.
				Applicable laws and rules and legal responsibilities;
b. Roles and responsibilities of state
				agencies, local coalitions, and providers;
c. Monitoring requirements; and,
d. Financial operating
				procedures.
3. Program
				and Performance Standards - To maintain an instructional leadership role in
				creating and sustaining an effective learning environment, VPK directors shall
				be able to demonstrate knowledge and application of:
a. Developmentally appropriate and
				research-based instructional practices and their application in the
				classroom;
b. Evaluation of the
				appropriateness and effectiveness of available prekindergarten
				curricula;
c. Effective
				implementation of a prekindergarten curriculum in the classroom;
d. Effective instructional strategies for
				children with disabilities or other special needs and for English language
				learners;
e. Developmentally
				appropriate methods for the on-going assessment of young children and
				interpretation of these data for program planning and the delivery of
				instruction; and,
f. Local and
				state accountability systems; and,
(f) Education and onsite experience through
				the successful completion of the Director Credential, as established in in
				section 4.7 and subsection 4.8.3 as adopted in the Florida Department of
				Children and Families Child Care Facility Handbook, December 2019, incorporated
				by reference in Rule 65C-22.001, F.A.C. The Florida
				Department of Children and Families Child Care Facility Handbook, December 2019
				is incorporated by reference. The handbook may be obtained from the Department
				of Children and Families website at
https://www.myflorida.com/service-programs/child-care/
or from the following link:
https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-11491
.