Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability
Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability

The Governance Structure of Florida's Early Education Programs Presents Some Administrative Challenges

Report 08-35, June 2008

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Report Summary

  • Florida's families with young children can receive early education services through a continuum of state and federal programs. The state's largest early education programs, School Readiness and Voluntary Prekindergarten, received approximately $1 billion in Fiscal Year 2007-08.
  • Currently, the Agency for Workforce Innovation, Department of Education, and Department of Children and Families are responsible for various aspects of implementing the state's early education programs. However, each agency's program responsibilities are not always consistent with its mission as perceived by stakeholders.
  • While the division of program responsibilities among three agencies has several strengths, it also has resulted in some instances of inconsistent program direction, insufficient coordination, and duplication. State agency managers acknowledged many of these issues and have begun taking steps to address them.
  • The Legislature may wish to consider three governance structure options to address the inefficiencies and duplication in the current system.

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Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.
Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.
education, on-the-job training, Early Learning Coalitions, Early Education, Early Education Governance, School Readiness Program, Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten, VPK, Agency for Workforce Innovation, Office of Early Learning, business enterprise, blind services, food service, vocational rehabilitation, disability, disabilities, Social Security Disability, business, school districts, best financial management practice, performance reviews, schools, school districts, principal, certification, staff development