a brief history of florida’s early learning system...
by Ginger Tate and Lisette Levy, Contributing Editors
Florida’s early learning system is governed by collaborative state and local partnerships. But, how did the system evolve? How did we get to where we are now?
Prior to 1999, the early education and child care system in Florida consisted of multiple programs and agencies that were created at different times for different purposes. Each of these programs was independently designed and established to address the specific needs of families and children. At that time the Department of Education (DOE), Department of Children and Families (DCF), and the federal Head Start program were guiding the path for serving the needs of Florida’s families.
In 1999, the Legislature wanted to create a cohesive, efficient, and integrated School Readiness system for increasing children’s chances of achieving future educational success. The Legislature created the Partnership for School Readiness and housed the Partnership under the Executive Office of the Governor (EOG). The Partnership for School Readiness, in collaboration with 67 community-based early learning coalitions, focused on providing developmentally appropriate educational services for prekindergarten children at risk of future academic failure.
In 2001, Florida’s early education and child care system went through another transformation when Florida’s Legislature transferred the Partnership from the EOG to the Agency for Workforce Innovation (the Agency) who assumed direct responsibility for certain administrative aspects, such as budget development and allocation. The next year, Florida voters passed a constitutional amendment creating a Voluntary Prekindergarten program for all 4-year-old children. In 2005, the Partnership and its governing board became the Office of Early Learning and the Early Learning Advisory Council (ELAC).
