FL H1135

Requires school improvement plans for the 300 lowest-performing elementary schools based on state reading assessments to include an early childhood transition team pursuant to section 1008.333

Mandates principals and assistant principals of elementary schools with prekindergarten or kindergarten programs who lack early childhood certification to complete 15 hours of professional development within 1 school year of identification, emphasizing needs of children in pre-K through grade 3

Establishes early childhood transition teams consisting of a school administrator, kindergarten teacher, kindergarten parent, private prekindergarten provider, parent of child in voluntary pre-K program, and community partner to develop transition plans for students moving from pre-K to kindergarten

Requires transition teams to coordinate school visits, open houses, early registration, welcome packets, and data sharing processes compliant with FERPA between elementary schools and early learning providers

School districts and local early learning coalitions must work together to build community partnerships supporting transition activities and professional development for kindergarten and early learning providers; effective July 1, 2018