1. (1) The department approves the following educational credentials for VPK instructors during the school year program as being equivalent to or greater than an educational credential described in Sections 1002.55(4)(a)-(d), F.S.:

   1. (a) An associate’s degree in earl y childhood education;
   2. (b) A bachelor’s or higher degree in family and child sciences and at least 480 hours of experience in teaching or providing child care services for children any age from birth through eight (8) years of age;

   3. (c) A bachelor’s or higher degree in:

      1. Exceptional student education or special education;

      2. Mental disabilities, mentally handicapped or mentally impaired;

      3. Specific learning disabilities;

      4. Physically impaired;

      5. Varying exceptionalities;

      6. Emotional disabilities;

      7. Deaf or hard of hearing or hearing impaired; or,

      8. Speech-language pathology, speech-language impaired or speech correction.

   4. (d) A valid Temporary or Professional Florida Educator’s Certificate in the area of:

      1. Prekindergarten/primary education (age three through grade three);

      2. Preschool education (birth through age four);

      3. Elementary education (grades 1-6) or (Kindergarten through grade 6);

      4. Early childhood education (nursery through kindergarten);

      5. Primary education (Kindergarten through grade 3);

      6. Exceptional student education (grades K-12);

      7. Deaf or hard of hearing or hearing impaired (grades K-12);

      8. Speech-language impaired or speech-language impaired associate (grades K-12);

      9. Prekindergarten disabilities (endorsement);

      10. Physically impaired (grades K-12);

      11. Mentally handicapped (grades K-12);

      12. Specific learning disabilities (grades K-12);

      13. Varying exceptionalities (grades K-12); or,

      14. Emotionally handicapped (grades K-12).

   5. (e) A valid license issued by the Florida Department of Health to serve as a:

      1. Physical therapist or,

      2. Speech language pathologist.

2. (2) A VPK instructor must not be ineligible for certification under Section 1012.315, F.S., or ineligible to teach in a public school because his or her educator certificate is suspended, revoked or otherwise sanctioned by the Education Practices Commission.

Rulemaking Authority 1001.02(2)(n), 1002.55(4)(e) FS. Law Implemented 1002.55(4)(e) FS. History–New 6-19-18.