Florida’s voluntary universal prekindergarten: A citizen’s initiative meets political and policy realities

This chapter includes original legislative language, timely news events, and documented events to chronicle a citizens’ initiative which spearheaded the 2002 passing of the Florida Constitutional Amendment 8 for Voluntary (Universal) Prekindergarten (VPK) and then the implementation of children’s programming in 2005. The research on quality Prekindergarten, key stakeholders personally engaged in the process as well as political and policy forces impacted the fi nal child programming. The State Board of Education, with input from the Governor, appointed a VPK Advisory council to defi ne quality indicators but legislative and funding issues impacted the actual implementation of those indicators to carry out the voters’ wishes. VPK programs in Florida continue to serve children and families, while administrative parameters evolve with ongoing legislative and funding changes.