Florida Senate - 2009                                     SB 602
       
       
       
       By Senator Fasano
       
       
       
       
       11-00528A-09                                           2009602__
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to prekindergarten education; amending
    3         s. 1002.65, F.S.; providing legislative findings;
    4         requiring that prekindergarten instructors meet
    5         certain educational goals by a specified period;
    6         providing an effective date.
    7         
    8  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
    9         
   10         Section 1. Section 1002.65, Florida Statutes, is amended to
   11  read:
   12         1002.65 Professional credentials of prekindergarten
   13  instructors; aspirational goals; legislative intent.—
   14         (1) The Legislature recognizes that there is a strong
   15  relationship between the skills and preparation of
   16  prekindergarten instructors and the educational outcomes of
   17  students in the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program.
   18         (2) The Legislature finds that high-quality prekindergarten
   19  programs taught by teachers who hold degrees reduce state
   20  spending on K-12 remediation, child welfare, and the criminal
   21  justice system. The Legislature also finds that investments in
   22  high-quality prekindergarten programs are effective public
   23  policy strategies for generating wealth and achieving a
   24  multitude of social and economic development.
   25         (3)(2) To improve these educational outcomes, the
   26  Legislature intends that all prekindergarten instructors shall
   27  will continue to improve their skills and preparation through
   28  education and training, so that the following aspirational goals
   29  are will be achieved:
   30         (a) By the 2010-2011 school year:
   31         1. Each prekindergarten class shall will have at least one
   32  prekindergarten instructor who holds an associate's or higher
   33  degree in the field of early childhood education or child
   34  development; and
   35         2. For each prekindergarten class composed of 11 or more
   36  students, in addition to a prekindergarten instructor who meets
   37  the requirements of subparagraph 1., the class shall will have
   38  at least one prekindergarten instructor who meets the
   39  requirements of s. 1002.55(3)(c).
   40         (b) By the 2013-2014 school year, each prekindergarten
   41  class shall will have at least one prekindergarten instructor
   42  who holds a bachelor's or higher degree in the field of early
   43  childhood education or child development.
   44         Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2009.