Voluntary Pre-kindergarten (VPK) Program - Implementation Summer 2006

In November 2002, voters passed a constitutional amendment creating the Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) Education Program, and in January 2005, the Governor signed House Bill 1-A to guide implementation. VPK is open to all four-year olds in Florida regardless of income. A child must meet the age requirement on or before September 1, 2005, to participate in this year’s program.

A lack of classroom space prevented the District from offering VPK during the regular school year. According to legislation, school districts that were not able to provide the 540 instructional hour program during the regular year must offer a 300-hour program during the summer. Through a collaborative effort with the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County, the Agency for Workforce Innovation, and the District, a VPK summer program has been designed to accommodate 6,000 students at approximately 50 sites between June 1, 2006, and July 14, 2006.

All District Goals and Critical Success Factors

VPK Funding will reimburse the District $2,511.75 per child for the summer program. The budget includes a flat rate for teacher pay of $25 per hour. The number of sites and classes will be adjusted to ensure cost-efficiency.

The state will evaluate the effectiveness of VPK through the Kindergarten Readiness assessments. The District will conduct a process evaluation of the local program to be used in future planning. A formal report will be provided in December 2006.