Two VPK architects look back


  • April 7, 2016
  • /   Shannon Nickinson
  • /   education

Back in 2016, these Lincoln Park Primary School pre-kindergartners learned about “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom" during circle-time activities with their teacher, Emily Ellis. Photo credit: Reggie Dogan.

The struggle to ensure that every child in Florida has the start in school they need was long.

And what it means to have "high quality" early learning opportunities remains a topic of discussion.

NextGen Magazine, published by the Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County, celebrated the 10 year anniversary of Florida'a voluntary prekindergarten program.

As part of that was a Q-and-A with Dave Lawrence and Toni Jennings, two of the key figures in the effort to pass legislation that established preschool for every Florida 4-year-old.

Some of the excerpts that struck me:

Why did you think having state-funded prekindergarten was important for Florida?

Jennings: The program is important because it offers many children who would not otherwise be able to afford prekindergarten the opportunity for cognitive stimulation at an early age, which is so important to learning. Interestingly, many thought this was a program for the poor. Not true. Very poor children qualify for Head Start and other assisted child care programs. VPK provided opportunities for those caught somewhere between poverty and the ability to pay.

From your perspective, what was the biggest challenge in making VPK a reality?

Lawrence: The “devil,” as it were, is in the details. Genuine high quality is crucial. The then-called UPK Advisory Council, presided over superbly by Lt. Gov. Toni Jennings, made specific and unanimous recommendations on credentials for teachers. The legislature made those goals “aspirational.” That is not a recipe for continued evolution of real quality.

Is there something that stands out in your memory about getting VPK started?

Lawrence: The struggle over “high quality,” words used twice in the constitutional amendment language.

What would you like to see happen with VPK in the next 10 years?

Lawrence: That we would fully know which programs are really working, and winnow out those that are not.

That every child and every parent would know how the child is doing (strengths and deficits), and be able to work with teachers to give children the best possible start for kindergarten. Children with real momentum in kindergarten will, chances are, have momentum all their lives.

  • That we have the courage to invest more dollars for better outcomes.
  • That the people of Florida would understand how a quality VPK program is good for the child’s future, and our country’s future.
That the business and political leaders of Florida would know that this is also about the future of Florida’s workforce.

Read the whole article here (it begins on page 42). And then ponder this: Can Pensacola be the community that gets it right?

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