Another year, another negative review for VPK

The National Institute for Early Education Research has once again put Florida at the back of the class when it comes to high-quality prekindergarten programs.

In a report released today, the organization noted that Florida met just four of 10 standards the group considers critical to a strong pre-k experience. Five other states also met four of the benchmarks, and one met three.

Most notably, the group mentioned that Florida is joined by only Ohio and and California in not requiring pre-k teachers to have the same experience as public school teachers. The state also rated 34th of 38 states with programs in terms of per-student funding. On the positive side, it rated 2nd in terms of percentage of eligible children served.

"The only difference about our grade this year is that instead of Pennsylvania being below us, Kansas is," said Linda Alexionok of the Children's Campaign, which has been pushing for improvements to the pre-k program since its inception.

Alexionok argued that having large percentages of children in the program focuses on quantity vs. quality, and that's not going to help the state or its children. The Children's Campaign continues to support legislation that would require pre-k teachers to have degrees by 2013.

Gov. Charlie Crist has voiced his support for tougher qualifications for pre-k teachers. But earlier this month, his Agency for Workforce Innovation director, Monesia Brown, wrote an op-ed for the Tallahassee Democrat in which she praised the program's quality and mentioned nothing about teacher credentials.

Comments

[anney bue]

I think VPK is a wonderful idea. You who moved from Penns should be thankful that they offer this free. Years ago, this was not offered. Again, move back to your state if you don't like how we do it down here. Eduction starts with the family not a school. I would suggest moving back to Penn will you belong where you think your child can get a better education

[Donna Heath]

What a shame that a 4 year old can't be 4 anymore.

[Julia]

Tanya - that is up to the individual school. You will have to ask the school to what extent religion is brought up in class. The curriculum itself (ABCs etc...) won't have religion in it. What they do the rest of the time is up to them. My child's VPK has chapel, religious songs and they do memorize Bible verses. There are non religious preschools that take VPK if that is not a fit for you.

[Tanya]

I'd like to know whether religious instruction is included in the VPK program when it's delivered by a church.

My understanding was that it's not allowed to be included in the curriculum, but at least one of the local churches implies in its literature that religious instruction is included.

[Julia]

Agreeing w/ publicschoolteacher. You have to shop for a good VPK school. My child's VPK class is taught by a teacher who has a BA in early childhood too. It's a great school. There are definitely some bad ones out there. You really need to tour schools, ask questions and talk to other parents:)

[publicschoolteacher]

Also, all of the teachers at my daughter's pre-school who teach in the VPK rooms have bachelor's degrees in early childhood ed. The state does not require it, but her particular school does. They set their bar higher!

[publicschoolteacher]

You still have to do your homework when choosing which VPK provider you want to serve your child. My daughter goes to a wonderful school with a rigorous (yet fun) program that is all hands-on. That's the kind of instruction she needs. No worksheets for that one!

Plus, we looked around at several schools AND put her in her school the year before so she would get used to a classroom environment. No two schools are created alike. You still have to be an active, concerned parent with VPK.

Those of you who expect the state to take your child at the age of 4 and carry him through high school are in for some sorry results. You'll be disappointed even if FL was #1 in VPK.

[Rachel]

Ithink that VPK is awful. Immoved from Pennsylvania where my children were getting an excellent education. My son was 4 when we moved and was doing first grade math at his PA preschool. Here in FL he goes to Kindercare which hosts VPK and the teachers donot teach they just let the kids socialize. My daughter will be 4 and notgoing to VPK because I want her to learn not just play. VPK is a wonderful concept but it needs more structer and stricter guidlines if the facilities hosting the state program.