Fla. Admin. Code R. 6M-8.615 (2026)

_{(1)InaccordancewithSection1002.59(1),F.S.,the}Department of Education (Department) in collaboration with the Just Read, Florida! Office_{adoptsthe following minimumstandardsfortrainingcoursesinemergentliteracyforprekindergarteninstructors.}

(a) The minimum standards shall align to the performance standards for students in the Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Education Program adopted in Rule 6M-8.602, F.A.C., and include:

1. Evidence-based content and instructional strategies grounded in the science of reading;

2. Content on the development of early learning skills, oral communication, knowledge of print and letters, phonological and phonemic awareness, vocabulary, comprehension development, and explicit and systematic instruction;

3. Multisensory approaches;

4. A pre- and post-assessment to measure participant learning outcomes; and

5. Facilitator interaction and follow-up for online courses.

_{(b)Thetrainingcourse(s) content mustcontain}evidence-based instructional strategies_{in emergentreadingwiththe goalthatthe participantwillbe ableto:}

_{1.Understandtheimportanceofmotivationandemergentreading;}

_{2.Demonstrateknowledgeofphonologicalawareness;}

_{3.Identifyalphabetknowledgeandskills;}

_{4.Understandtheimportanceofretellingstoriestodevelopcomprehension; and}

5. Understand instructional strategies that meet the needs of students with varying abilities.

_{(c)Thetrainingcourse(s) content mustcontain evidence-based instructional strategies instructioninlanguageandcommunicationwiththegoalthatthe participantwillbeableto:}

_{1.Learnhowtoincreasethelanguageskillsofprekindergartenchildren;}

_{2.Learnhowtoincreasethecomplexityofthespokenlanguageofprekindergartenchildren;}

_{3.Developskillsto helpprekindergartenchildreninitiateconversations,askquestions,andrespondtoothers;}

_{4.Knowhowtoimprovethe speaking,listening,andconversationalskillsofprekindergartenchildren;and,}

_{5.Knowhowtoexpandthe vocabularyofprekindergartenchildren.}

_{(d)Thetrainingcourse(s)content mustcontaininstructionin}evidence-based instructional strategies in _{emergentwritingwiththe goalthattheparticipantwillbe ableto:}

_{1.Demonstratehowwritingwithchildrenwillinfluencethe waytheylearntocommunicatethroughwriting;}

_{2.Learnhowtoprovide meaningfulandpurposefulwritingopportunitiestomotivateandencouragechildrento exploreprint;and,}

_{3.Examinetheskillsandstrategiesneededto knowhowtocoachchildrenin writingthroughoutthe year keepingin minddevelopmentalneedsofeachchild.}

(e) As used in this rule, “evidence-based” means demonstrating a statistically significant effect on improving student outcomes.

_{(2)InaccordancewithSection1002.59(2),F.S.,theDepartmentadoptsthe followingminimumstandardsfortraining course(s)inperformancestandards. Thetrainingcourse(s)mustcontaininstructionin the performance standards for students in the VPK Education Program} as adopted in Rule 6M-8.602, F.A.C., that:

(a) _{Discussesthepurpose,history,anddevelopmentoftheperformance standards for students in the VPK Education Program;}

(b) _{Leadsparticipantstoidentifythedomains,components,standards,andbenchmarksintheperformance standards for students in the VPK Education Program;and,}

(c) _{Demonstrateshowdevelopmentallyappropriatedailypracticesrelatetothestandards foundintheperformance standards for students in the VPK Education Program.}

_{(3) AsrequiredbySection1002.55(3)(c)2.,F.S.,theDepartmentapprovesthecoursesrelatingtoemergentliteracyand performance standards. The list of approved courses can be found on the Department’s website at https://origin.fldoe.org/schools/early-learning/providers/pro-learning.stml.}

_{(4) In accordance with sections 1002.55(3)(c)2., 1002.61(4), and 1002.63(4), F.S., all lead VPK instructors must successfully complete the following training requirements:}

_{(a) Three (3) five-hour emergent literacy courses or equivalent and a course on the performance standards adopted for use in the VPK program; and}

_{(b) One (1) emergent literacy course every five (5) calendar years after initially completing the three (3) emergent literacy courses.}

_{Rulemaking Authority 1002.59, 1002.79 FS. Law Implemented 1002.55(3)(c)2., 1002.59 FS. History-New 7-1-15, Amended 10-21-18, 5-3-22, 9-20-22, 4-30-24.}

Effective: 4/30/2024.