The Florida Senate

411.012  Voluntary universal prekindergarten education program.--

(1)  The voluntary universal prekindergarten education program shall provide a high-quality prekindergarten learning opportunity in the form of early childhood development and education which is voluntary and free for every child in this state who is 4 years of age. The program must be organized, designed, and delivered in accordance with s. 1(b) and (c), Art. IX of the State Constitution. Except as otherwise expressly provided by law, ss. 411.01-411.011 do not apply to the voluntary universal prekindergarten education program.

(2)  The State Board of Education shall conduct a study on the curriculum, design, and standards for the voluntary universal prekindergarten education program. By October 1, 2003, the State Board of Education shall submit a report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The Agency for Workforce Innovation and the Florida Partnership for School Readiness shall provide any necessary information and coordinate with the state board. The report must include the recommendations or options of the state board on each of the following program elements:

(a)  Curriculum and standards.--Developmentally appropriate curriculum and standards that provide children a high-quality prekindergarten learning opportunity. These curriculum and standards must be designed to:

1.  Address and enhance each child's ability to make age-appropriate progress;

2.  Provide early childhood development of language and cognitive capabilities;

3.  Provide education in basic skills and other appropriate skills; and

4.  Deliver early childhood development and education according to professionally accepted standards.

(b)  High-quality learning opportunity.--Quality standards that provide children a high-quality prekindergarten learning opportunity. These quality standards must include specific recommendations or options for the expected outcomes of the voluntary universal prekindergarten education program.

(c)  Quantity of instruction.--Standards for the quantity of instruction to be provided as voluntary and free for every child in the state who is 4 years of age. These standards must include specific recommendations or options for each of the following elements:

1.  Hours per day; and

2.  Days per year.

(d)  Delivery system.--Standards for providers in order to deliver children a high-quality prekindergarten learning opportunity. These standards must include specific recommendations or options for each of the following elements:

1.  Appropriate range of settings, including both public and private providers, with consideration of the capacity in each available setting;

2.  Licensing or regulatory requirements for providers;

3.  Health and safety requirements for providers; and

4.  Parental choice.

(e)  Assessment and evaluation.--Methods for measuring the performance of the voluntary universal prekindergarten education program. These methods must include specific recommendations or options for each of the following elements:

1.  Assessment of age-appropriate progress for each child;

2.  Evaluation of outcome measures for each provider in each setting; and

3.  Evaluation of school readiness coalitions.

(f)  Funding.--Estimated cost per full-time-equivalent child of the recommended curriculum, design, and standards. This cost estimate must consider funding for each of the state board's recommendations or options for each of the program elements described in this subsection.

(3)  The report must also include the state board's recommendations or options for best practices to improve the outcomes of school readiness coalitions and providers.

History.--s. 1, ch. 2003-93.