June 22, 2020
M E M O R A N D U M
TO: Executive Directors, Early Learning Coalitions
Superintendents, Public Schools
Program Contacts, Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Education Program Interested Persons
FROM: Shan Goff, Executive Director, Office of Early Learning
SUBJECT:
2020 Summer VPK Guidance - 2020-013
The
Department of Education’s Emergency Order No. 2020-E0-04, executed on June 11, 2020, authorized waivers related to the 2020 Summer VPK Program to respond to and mitigate the impacts of the COVID-19 emergency. Listed below are OEL’s Highlights and attached are the Emergency Order and our 2020 Summer VPK Options flyer.
2020 Summer VPK Program Delivery
- The requirement for school districts to offer a Summer VPK program has not been waived. The goal is to provide more opportunities for children to attend a high quality VPK program in the summer.
- If charter schools offer Summer VPK, this may meet the requirement for the district to offer summer VPK programs, providing that the VPK program is specifically named in the charter agreement between the district and the school.
- Current statutes do not allow virtual learning as a substitute for VPK instructional hours.
2020 Summer VPK Program Hours
- Summer VPK programs are authorized for a minimum of 200-hours of instruction. OEL Provider Portal will allow the district to create a calendar of less than 300-hours at this time. Providers may still offer a 300-hour VPK Summer program should they wish to do so.
- Providers who have already begun a 300-hour VPK program may adjust their calendar. However, it is important to consider that some families have already committed to a 300-hour program.
2020 Summer VPK Funding
- Providers will be paid based on attendance and will earn a 1.0 full-time equivalent for the 2020 Summer Program for a minimum of 200-hours of instruction.
- The Department of Education’s Order No. 2020-EO-02, executed May 13, 2020, provided a waiver to allow public and private providers to have less than four children enrolled in their program through the end of the 2020 Summer VPK program.
- The 80/20 rule applies to the VPK Summer program. There is no change in how the 80/20 is calculated for summer.
Health and Safety
- VPK providers offering Summer VPK should follow guidance issued in their local areas, and where feasible, follow CDC guidelines.
Adult-Child Ratio
- The ratio for the VPK Summer program is 1:12. However, providers should follow guidance issued in their local areas, and, where feasible, follow CDC guidelines.
VPK Assessment
- All assessments for the 2020 Summer VPK program are cancelled. However, providers will still have access to Bright Beginnings should they wish to administer the VPK Assessment during their summer program.
VPK Director Credential for Private Providers offering a 2020 Summer VPK Program
- A private school administrator who holds a valid certificate in educational leadership issued by the Department of Education satisfies the requirement for a prekindergarten director credential under Section 1002.57, F.S.
