HB 487

1	A bill to be entitled
2	An act relating to prekindergarten education; amending s.
3	1002.65, F.S.; providing legislative findings; requiring
4	that prekindergarten instructors meet certain educational
5	goals by a specified period; providing an effective date.
6
7	Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
8
9	Section 1.  Section 1002.65, Florida Statutes, is amended
10	to read:
11	1002.65  Professional credentials of prekindergarten
12	instructors; aspirational goals; legislative intent.--
13	(1)  The Legislature recognizes that there is a strong
14	relationship between the skills and preparation of
15	prekindergarten instructors and the educational outcomes of
16	students in the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program.
17	(2)  The Legislature finds that high-quality
18	prekindergarten programs taught by teachers who hold degrees
19	reduce state spending on K-12 remediation, child welfare, and
20	the criminal justice system. The Legislature also finds that
21	investments in high-quality prekindergarten programs are
22	effective public policy strategies for generating wealth and
23	achieving a multitude of social and economic development.
24	(3)(2)  To improve these educational outcomes, the
25	Legislature intends that all prekindergarten instructors shall
26	will continue to improve their skills and preparation through
27	education and training, so that the following aspirational goals
28	are will be achieved:
29	(a)  By the 2010-2011 school year:
30	1.  Each prekindergarten class shall will have at least one
31	prekindergarten instructor who holds an associate's or higher
32	degree in the field of early childhood education or child
33	development; and
34	2.  For each prekindergarten class composed of 11 or more
35	students, in addition to a prekindergarten instructor who meets
36	the requirements of subparagraph 1., the class shall will have
37	at least one prekindergarten instructor who meets the
38	requirements of s. 1002.55(3)(c).
39	(b)  By the 2013-2014 school year, each prekindergarten
40	class shall will have at least one prekindergarten instructor
41	who holds a bachelor's or higher degree in the field of early
42	childhood education or child development.
43	Section 2.  This act shall take effect July 1, 2009.

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.