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A bill to be entitled

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An act relating to prekindergarten education; amending s.

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1002.65, F.S.; making mandatory requirements for increased

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levels of education for prekindergarten instructors in

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future years; providing an effective date.

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Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:

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     Section 1.  Section 1002.65, Florida Statutes, is amended to

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read:

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     1002.65  Professional credentials of prekindergarten

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instructors; aspirational goals; legislative intent.--

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     (1)  The Legislature recognizes that there is a strong

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relationship between the skills and preparation of

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prekindergarten instructors and the educational outcomes of

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students in the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program.

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     (2)  To improve these educational outcomes, the Legislature

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intends that all prekindergarten instructors shall will continue

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to improve their skills and preparation through education and

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training, so that the following aspirational goals are will be

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achieved:

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     (a)  By the 2010-2011 school year:

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     1. Each prekindergarten class shall will have at least one

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prekindergarten instructor who holds an associate's or higher

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degree in the field of early childhood education or child

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development; and

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     2.  For each prekindergarten class composed of 11 or more

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students, in addition to a prekindergarten instructor who meets

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the requirements of subparagraph 1., the class shall will have at

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least one prekindergarten instructor who meets the requirements

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of s. 1002.55(3)(c).

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     (b)  By the 2013-2014 school year, each prekindergarten

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class shall will have at least one prekindergarten instructor who

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holds a bachelor's or higher degree in the field of early

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childhood education or child development.

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     Section 2.  This act shall take effect July 1, 2008.