Front Burners

Degreed Pre-K Teachers Legislation Filed

Florida citizens envisioned it at the ballot box. Six respected Florida governors and the beloved widow of a seventh called on Florida Governor Charlie Crist and our legislative leaders to champion it. Education groups, child-serving professionals, business leaders, minority groups and advocates have called for it with educational outcomes, the best interest of the child, the future workforce of Florida, and a desire to close the achievement gap in mind. Now, thanks to the passionate and visionary leadership of Senator Nan Rich (Broward County) and Representative Janet Long (Pinellas County), legislation has been filed to require a degreed teacher in every pre-k classroom by 2013.

The legislation, Senate Bill 702 and House Bill 741, recognizes the definite correlation between the education, knowledge and skills of a pre-k teacher in the classroom and the educational outcome for the children who participate. (View Senate Bill 702)

When implemented five years from now, the change in statute would have a powerful impact on the quality of early education, bring about improvements in Florida’s educational performance, pave the way for an increase in pre-k reimbursement rates, and provide advancement opportunities for all people who dedicate themselves to serving in child care settings in Florida.

The legislation as constructed is easy to understand. All pre-k teachers would continue to improve on their skills through continued education. By the 2010–2011 school year, every pre-k classroom will have at least one pre-k teacher who has achieved an associate’s degree or higher in the area of early childhood education or child development. By the 2013-2014 school year every pre-k classroom will have at least one pre-k teacher who has achieved a bachelor’s degree or higher in the area of early childhood education or child development.

Sponsors Known for Vision

Senator Nan Rich is a nationally known, passionate advocate for children and has been vocal in her support of high quality pre-kindergarten and child care long before passage of the constitutional amendment itself. Rich sits on a number of Senate committees including service as Vice-Chair of Health and Human Services Appropriations and Vice Chair of Environmental Preservation and Conservation. She was the visionary behind the passage of the referendum effort in Broward that has created a permanent funding base for children through the Children’s Services Council and was sponsor of the Children’s Cabinet legislation.

Representative Janet Long has a three decade long history of service to her community, her state, and to children and families. When not attending to her legislative duties, Long serves as the Director of Advancement at Clearwater Central Catholic High School. Long is a former elected member of the Seminole City Council, served on Healthy Kids, and was a member of the State Tax Reform Committee.

Major Groups Initiate Efforts in Support

Two major groups launched companion advocacy campaigns immediately in support of the degreed pre-k teacher legislation. Getting out in front are the Early Childhood Association of Florida (ECA) and Docs for Tots.

ECA is the largest organization for early childhood professionals in the state of Florida with 3,000-plus members. ECA states their position regarding quality pre-k on their public policy platform, “ A career ladder for teachers, with definitive timelines for attainment of specified degrees and credentials coupled with funds to help teachers earn the required degrees.” (http://www.ecaoffl.org/)

Docs for Tots is a nonpartisan organization formed of doctors fulfilling an important role as active advocates for infants, toddlers and preschoolers on the national, state and local levels. Their message is, “Quality pre-kindergarten is critical to children's healthy development and school readiness. Qualified teachers are an essential component to program quality.” (http://www.docsfortots.org/).

More groups will announce soon. Stay tuned.

Governor’s Summit on Education Workforce & Development

Children’s Campaign President Roy Miller and Executive Director Linda Alexionok attended the summit and left encouraged that the economic benefits of high quality early learning is a message receiving broader play in this state.

Florida ’s business leaders and experts on workforce development discussed the future of Florida’s economy as it relates to the workforce. At the conclusion it was clear that the future of Florida’s economy is dependent on meeting the talent needs of current and future businesses, and developing innovation. It was the consensus view that none of this is possible if quality education is not provided to Florida’s children at an early level.

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