Latest news with #VoluntaryPre-Kindergarten
CBS News
18-02-2025
- General
- CBS News
Deadline approaching for South Florida parents to enter VPK lottery
MIAMI - Parents in Miami-Dade County have just over two weeks to register their children for the Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) lottery, with a deadline set for March 7. Children who will be four years old by September 1, 2025, are eligible for the program. To apply, parents must complete a VPK certificate and provide a birth certificate and proof of address. At Eugenia B. Thomas K-8 Center in Doral, Miami-Dade County Public Schools administrators recently visited three Pre-K classrooms to observe firsthand how the program prepares young learners. "It's impactful when you see students transition into kindergarten," said Lynn Maceyras, Director of Early Childhood Programs for the district. "Our VPK completers show a clear difference compared to those who have not participated in a program." Maceyras emphasized that research supports the benefits of early childhood education. "By age five, 90% of the brain is developed. Students who participate in quality early childhood programs perform better in school," she said. "They develop early language, literacy, and numeracy skills that help them become stronger readers and better at math." Building a strong foundation Julio Fong, Principal at Eugenia B. Thomas K-8 Center, echoed those sentiments. "I think it's a great start for young students," Fong said. "It sets the foundation not only academically but also socially-teaching them how to interact with peers and follow the routine of a school day, which is crucial." Miami-Dade County Public Schools reports that all 210 schools offering VPK passed their required state assessments. For Fong, seeing students grow from Pre-K through eighth grade is one of the most rewarding parts of his job. "It's truly amazing because you feel like you've been part of their journey," he said. "Watching their skills develop and knowing we played a role, along with their parentsmakes eighth-grade graduation an emotional moment." How to apply The Miami-Dade County Public Schools VPK program runs for three hours a day and is funded by the state. Additional funding options are available to cover the second half of the day for a full-day experience. Parents are not limited to enrolling their child in the school within their residential boundary. Maceyras encourages parents to apply to any school with available seats. "Apply to any school that has an open spot," she advised. "Even if it's on your way to work, it's worth it." click here.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Education a key focus for lawmakers, DeSantis in 2025 state budget
TALLAHASEE, Fla. (WFLA) — Governor Ron DeSantis is urging lawmakers to consider his state budget proposal one month before they are back in Tallahassee to begin the 2025 legislative session. Education will be a key focus of the budget, with lawmakers in both parties paying close safety, tuition, and teacher pay are all top priorities for lawmakers at the statehouse. Crowd gathers in downtown Tampa for anti-Trump protest 'Teacher pay, teacher pay, teacher pay. Our teachers continue to be under funded in (the) state of Florida, alongside public school administrators, and this is leading to thousands of vacancies across the state of Florida that is fundamental to the success of our state,' said State Representative Anna V. Eskamani. 'We can't have a top tier workforce without investing in our kids and their education. That's a big priority for me.' DeSantis says among all education initiatives; teacher pay is one of his proudest proposals. 'We are now proposing a $1.5 billion teacher pay categorical. Which locks in the gains and then adds about one fourth of a billion dollars on top of what we've already done,' he said.$1.5 billion, an increase of $246.7 million, in funding that must be used toprovide salary increases for eligible teachers and other instructional personnel. $1.76 billion in funding for early child education, including a total of $465.8million for Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) initiatives. Historic $29.7 billion in funding, of which $16.1 billion is record state funding forthe K-12 public school system.o This covers the costs associated with the current projected enrollment ofover 3.2 million students, including almost 358,000 students projected toparticipate in the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program. $1.7 billion in state operating funding for the Florida College System. $3.9 billion in state operating funding for the State University System. $130 million in total funding to reward quality nursing education programs toaddress nursing vacancies. $100 million for the State University System for the recruitment and retention ofhighly qualified faculty. Republican lawmakers add that in the budget the state has to continue to support not just our teachers, but law enforcement, firefighters, and student coaches.'In the education area, in addition to just teachers, I'd like to see more focus on our coaches. Our coaches are some of the lowest paid coaches in the entire country. A top paid coach in Florida makes around $6,000 a year,' said State Representative Adam Anderson. 'And if we think about the benefits our coaches provide to our student athletes and our students, it extends far beyond the football field and the baseball field.' But while lawmakers agree on teacher quality, there may be underlying issues at play. 'It's important to note, just how many different types of culture war pet projects are in this budget. Governor DeSantis is suggesting more money being spent on evaluating different types of programs he doesn't like (in) the higher education space,' Eskamani said. While it is required by the Constitution for the governor to make budget proposals, it's up to state lawmakers to decide what's in and what's out. The legislative session begins on March 4, 2025. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
