Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 6M-8.604 - Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Curriculum Approval Process

(1) Purpose. The purpose of the rule is to adopt procedures for the review and approval of curricula for use by private prekindergarten providers and public schools on probation in accordance with Section (s.) 1002.67(2)(c), Florida Statutes (F.S.). A provider on probation is one who earns a performance designation of below expectations or unsatisfactory in accordance with Rule 6M-8.622, F.A.C.

(2) Policy and Procedures.

(a) The Florida Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Education Program Policies and Procedures for Curriculum Approval sets forth the procedures that must be compiled for curricula to be evaluated for approval.

(b) To be considered for evaluation, publishers must submit a comprehensive curriculum package and the forms specified in subparagraph (7)(b)1. through 6., to the department by the deadlines established by the department.

(3) Deadlines. The department will post deadlines for the documents and forms required of publishers listed in subsection (7) on the Division of Early Learning's website at: https://www.fldoe.org/schools/early-learning/providers/vpk-curriculum.stml/. Publishers will be provided no fewer than 30 days notice of any deadline.

(4) Evaluation and Approval of Curricula. To be approved, curricula submitted by publishers must meet the specifications described in the VPK Curriculum Approval Specifications for Providers on Probation and must:

(a) Meet requirements as described in s. 1002.67(2)(b), F.S.;

(b) Comply with s. 1001.42(8)(c)3., F.S.;

(c) Be aligned to performance standards adopted in Rule 6M-8.602, F.A.C., as described in the approved specifications; and

(d) Receive an average score of one (1) on a scale of zero (0) to two (2) in the six (6) major priority areas: content, presentation, learning, professional learning, parent/family materials and research base.

(5) Posting and Approval of Curricula.

(a) A listing of approved curricula will be posted on the Division of Early Learning's website at https://www.fldoe.org/schools/early-learning/providers/vpk-curriculum.stml/ and will be effective for a term no less than three (3) years.

(b) To remain on the listing of approved curricula, cost for the approved comprehensive curriculum package, including professional learning, must not increase during the three (3) year approval term; the approved comprehensive curricula package (all material and professional learning) must be available for purchase by providers on probation and no changes can be made to the approved comprehensive curricula package except as approved by the department as provided in subsection (6) of this rule.

(6) Curriculum Application for Minimal Revisions. Publishers who have made minimal revisions to the approved comprehensive curriculum package, including professional learning, must submit Form VPKC7, VPK Curriculum Application for Minimal Revisions, for review and approval before changes to an approved comprehensive curriculum package posted on the Division of Early Learning's website as referenced in subsection (5) may be made.

(a) Form VPKC7, VPK Curriculum Application for Minimal Revisions, will be accepted for review when more than six (6) months have elapsed since the most recent approval by the department.

(b) A publisher must submit Form VPKC7, VPK Curriculum Application for Minimal Revisions, via email to DEL.Curriculum@del.fldoe.org.

(7) The following documents and forms are incorporated in this rule by reference and are available on the Division of Early Learning's website at https://www.fldoe.org/schools/early-learning/providers/vpk-curriculum.stml/:

(a) Florida Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Education Program: Curriculum Approval Specifications for Providers on Probation (http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-17510) (February 2025);

(b) Florida Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Education Program: Policies and Procedures for Curriculum Approval (http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-17511) (February 2025), which includes Forms VPKC1, Publisher's Intent to Submit Form; VPKC2, Publisher's Registration and Agreement Form; VPKC3, Performance Standards Alignment Form; VPKC4, Scope and Sequence; VPKC5, Professional Learning Plan; VPKC6, Publisher's Submission Overview; and VPKC7, VPK Curriculum Application for Minimal Revisions.

Notes

Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 6M-8.604

Rulemaking Authority 1001.02(2)(n), 1002.79 FS. Law Implemented 1002.67 FS.

New 11-22-12, Formerly RSA 6A-1.099825, Amended by Florida Register Volume 44, Number 153, August 7, 2018 effective 8/20/2018, Amended by Florida Register Volume 51, Number 023, February 4, 2025 effective 2/18/2025.

New 11-22-12, Formerly 6A-1.099825, Amended 8-20-18.