ExchangeEveryDay Past Issues

"Every fool is different." - German Proverb

Florida Preschool Plan Approved

In a special one-week legislative session at the close of 2004, Florida lawmakers approved a plan in which three-hour prekindergarten classes would be offered largely by private preschool and chlid care providers. Teachers in these classrooms would need to have some early childhood training, but they would not, in the first year, be required to have even a two-year college degree. 

Education Week (January 5, 2005; www.edweek.org) reports that early childhood advocates expressed relief that the program would be up and running for the 2005-2006 school year, but pledged to keep pressure on lawmakers to improve the program over time. David Lawrence, one of the prime advocates for this legislation commented for example, "The 'shining city on the hill' for pre-K has not yet come to pass. This is not perfect legislation. There will be significant struggles in the years to come to ensure that we, among other priorities, reach the goal for ever-increasing credentials for teachers."

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