Bill > S1722

This bill establishes the Office of Early Learning within the Department of Education's Office of Independent Education and Parental Choice to oversee early learning programs, including the school readiness program and the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program (VPK). The new office will be responsible for adopting rules for these programs, setting performance standards for VPK students, approving curricula, and administering the school readiness program at the state level, providing guidance to early learning coalitions, which are local entities that administer these programs. The bill also redefines "early learning coalition" and "office" for clarity, amends definitions related to VPK eligibility and enrollment, and revises requirements for private prekindergarten providers, including instructor training and insurance. Furthermore, it expands the duties of the Office of Early Learning to include administering the school readiness program, which provides services to economically disadvantaged and at-risk children, and establishes detailed provisions for eligibility, provider standards, funding, and reporting for this program. The bill also repeals existing statutes related to school readiness programs and makes conforming amendments to various other sections of Florida Statutes to reflect the creation of the Office of Early Learning and the new structure for early learning programs.