FL H0383

Require prekindergarten instructors in school-year programs delivered by private providers and public schools to hold a bachelor's degree in early childhood education, prekindergarten education, preschool education, or elementary education (with appropriate certification) effective July 1, 2013.

Establish differentiated requirements based on class size: classes with fewer than 11 students need one qualified instructor with a bachelor's degree; classes with 11 or more students need one bachelor's-degree instructor plus one instructor with a child development associate credential and emergent literacy training.

Allow prekindergarten instructors with a bachelor's degree in elementary education to qualify if they hold certification to teach children from birth through grade 6, regardless of whether their educator certificate is current, provided the certificate is not suspended or revoked.

Delete provisions allowing alternate educational credentials (associate degrees, unrelated degrees with early childhood coursework, etc.) that previously provided alternatives to bachelor's degree requirements.

Repeal section 1002.65 relating to aspirational goals for prekindergarten instructor professional credentials.