The laws, to be implemented in the 2022-23 school year, improve accountability of the VPK program, move the state s Office of Early Learning under the Florida Department of Education and create a progress-monitoring system for students pre-K through third grade.
The changes also move the kindergarten-readiness assessment traditionally conducted within the first few weeks of kindergarten back to the end of VPK, which, proponents say, can help ensure interventions and supports are put in place before a student starts kindergarten. The changes also will empower parents with information they need to make decisions about their children s education, officials said.
Vieira understands why many parents are against testing students, especially the youngest children, but agreed with lawmakers assertion that such assessments give parents more knowledge. Additional information at the VPK-level would have been helpful to ensure her son s academic foundation was strong,