FL S1282

Transfers the Gold Seal Quality Care program from the Department of Children and Families to the Office of Early Learning and recodifies it as section 1002.945.

Creates a coordinated screening and progress monitoring program for students in the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program through grade 3 to assess early literacy and math skills and provide accountability data for program providers.

Establishes the Council for Early Grade Success to oversee implementation of the screening program and make recommendations to support grade 3 reading proficiency, composed of 17 members appointed by the Governor and legislative leadership.

Revises Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program accountability by replacing kindergarten readiness rates with a performance metric based on program assessment composite scores (weighted at least 50 percent), learning gains, and developmental outcomes, with designations ranging from "unsatisfactory" to "excellent."

Authorizes differential payments to pre-K providers and public schools based on performance designations and allows military-operated child development programs to participate in the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program with modified requirements.