Vol - Simone T. O’Bryan, PhD - May 2025 - 2023-2024 M-DCPS VPK: Fall 2024 Kindergarten Readiness Rates

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Fahsai

This research brief analyzes kindergarten readiness in Miami-Dade County for students enrolled in public and private prekindergarten (Pre-K) during the 2023–2024 academic year. Readiness is measured using the FAST STAR Early Literacy assessment in fall 2024, focusing on M-DCPS VPK programs and attendance patterns. Results show 52% K-ready at 690+ versus 44% at 707+, with M-DCPS VPK outperforming other Pre-K programs by 25 and 21 percentage points, respectively.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages9

Reading Time23 min

AccessFree to download

At a Glance

Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) STAR Early Literacy

Data and Data Analysis

Vol Simone T. O’Bryan, A Vol. 2410 Simone T. O’Bryan, PhD May 2025 2023-2024 M-DCPS VPK: Fall 2024 Kindergarten Readiness Rates At a Glance Prekindergarten (Pre-K) programs are designed to prepare young children for kindergarten and increase their likelihood of academic success. This Research Brief examined the kindergarten readiness rates of students who were enrolled in public and private Pre-K programs in Miami-Dade County during the 2023-2024 academic school year, who were also M-DCPS kindergarten students during PM1 of the FAST Star Early Literacy assessment in fall 2024. Comparative analyses were performed by Pre-K program type and attendance status on two kindergarten readiness benchmarks (690+ and 707+) . Analyses revealed that 52% of all test takers were K-ready at or above 690, compared to a 44% readiness rate at the 707 benchmark. The kindergarten readiness rates for all M-DCPSVPK test takers, however, were 58%(690+) and 49%(707+), respectively. M-DCPS VPK students also outperformed students who were enrolled in other Pre-K programs by 25 percentage points (690+) and 21 percentage points (707+), respectively. M-DCPS VPK completers were also significantly more kindergarten-ready than students with consistent attendance (at least 70%) who were enrolled in other Pre-K programs (by 26 percentage points at the 690+ K-ready benchmark and 23 percentage points at 707+) . The Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program (VPK) was established by the Florida Legislature in 2004 and launched in 2005-2006. Since its inception, more than 2.6 million children have benefited from the program. Data collected by the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) shows that children who participate in VPK are generally more ready for kindergarten than children who do not participate in VPK (Florida Department of Education, n.d.-a). Therefore, these programs are instrumental in preparing students for academic success once they enter kindergarten. The purpose of this Research Brief is to analyze the fall 2024 kindergarten readiness rates of students who were enrolled in prekindergarten (Pre-K) programs (public and private) in MiamiDade County during the 2023-2024 school year. While Pre-K program-specific kindergarten readiness rates are discussed, VPK programs within Miami-Dade County Public Schools (MDCPS) are the primary focus. M-DCPSVPK programs of interest include VPK Exceptional Student Education Inclusion (program type A), Head Start VPK (program type B), VPK Title I (program type F), and two fee-supported VPK programs – Half Day Attendance (program type V) and Full Day Attendance (program type X). The attendance rate of Pre-K and VPK participants is also addressed, with a specific interest in students who attended their respective programs at least 70% of the time. Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) STAR Early Literacy The Coordinated Screening and Progress Monitoring Program is the statewide, standardized program known as Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) STAR Early Literacy. It is implemented in all VPK programs as required by s. 1002.68, F.S., and it is used to assess student achievement of the performance standards in early literacy and mathematics as established in s. 1002.67(1)(a), F.S. (FDOE, n.d.-b) . School districts must screen each kindergarten student within the first 30 school days of each academic year to determine their readiness for kindergarten. VPK FAST STAR Early Literacy results are part of the VPK Provider Performance Metric and are used to identify student achievement and learning gains (FLDOE, n.d.-b) . VPK programs began implementing the FAST STAR Early Literacy in the 2022-2023 VPK program year. Students who scored at or above 690 on the assessment during fall 2023 were deemed kindergarten-ready. However, the Florida Department of Education officially changed the kindergarten readiness cut score from 690 to 707 on the FAST Star Early Literacy assessment in August 20

FAQs

What is the focus of this research brief?

It examines fall 2024 kindergarten readiness rates for students enrolled in public and private Pre-K programs in Miami-Dade County during the 2023–2024 school year, with primary focus on M-DCPS VPK programs.

Which assessment and benchmarks are used to determine kindergarten readiness?

Readiness is based on the FAST STAR Early Literacy assessment. The brief compares two benchmarks: 690+ and 707+.

How do M-DCPS VPK students compare with students in other Pre-K programs?

M-DCPS VPK students show higher readiness rates than other Pre-K programs by 25 percentage points at 690+ and 21 percentage points at 707+.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Fahsai