| A constitutional amendment was passed in | | | | the summer session of 300 hours. VPK is free to |
| November 2002 that established the Voluntary | | | | all four year olds, whose parents are residents of |
| Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) program for all four year | | | | Florida. Parents are responsible for costs for any |
| olds in the state of Florida. The program benefits | | | | care before and after classes, as well as |
| not only the children but the Tampa schools, as | | | | transportation. The VPK hours are paid by the |
| well, by preparing children for kindergarten and | | | | state. Providers are not permitted to charge a |
| beyond. | | | | registration fee or require parents to agree to |
| Documented studies have shown that preschool is | | | | any additional services in order to receive the |
| one of the best investments for any city and its | | | | VPK services. |
| youth. A California study found that, for every | | | | The first year of implementation for VPK was |
| dollar spent on preschool, the city and schools | | | | the 2005-2006 school year and summer session, |
| save $2.62. This savings is realized through lower | | | | during which the program served more than |
| juvenile crime and high school dropout costs. | | | | 100,000 Florida four year olds (approximately 40 |
| Another study showed that Tampa schools' | | | | percent of all four year olds in the state). Close to |
| children will be more likely to read by the third | | | | 66,000 children already have registered for the |
| grade, less likely to require remedial education, and | | | | 2006-2007 school year, as of August 3rd. |
| more likely to graduate high school and enter | | | | For Hillsborough County, in which the Tampa |
| college. The savings for the Tampa schools come | | | | schools are located, more than 7,100 children have |
| from the decrease in remedial classes and | | | | registered. This is up from last year's 6,700 for |
| program to keep students in school that would | | | | both the fall and summer sessions. |
| otherwise be required. | | | | Tampa schools' area VPK providers, however, |
| For the Tampa schools' area, the Early Learning | | | | have been slow to sign up this year, according to |
| Coalition of Hillsborough County (ELC) administers | | | | ELC's executive director, Dave McGerald. Also, |
| the VPK program. They ensure that the future | | | | many Tampa schools' area providers did not |
| Tampa schools children develop the skills | | | | renew their contracts until late in the summer. |
| necessary to become good readers and | | | | McGerald does expect to serve as many as |
| successful Tampa schools students. The VPK | | | | 10,000 children this year, which includes those in |
| program includes standards for literacy skills, | | | | the Tampa schools' area. |
| appropriate currcula, substantial instruction periods, | | | | Even though VPK classes have begun in the |
| qualified instructors, manageable class sizes, and | | | | Tampa schools' area, children can be enrolled for |
| appropriate accountability. | | | | six months after the session starts. The sooner |
| Parents may choose from the school year | | | | children are enrolled, however, the more benefits |
| program of 540 hours that begins in the fall or | | | | they receive. |