Gov. DeSantis signs early education bills into law

Gov. Ron DeSantis during a news conference at Childcare Resources of Indian River in Vero Beach. (Copyright 2021 by WJXT News4Jax - All rights reserved.)

VERO BEACH, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday signed new legislation that is aimed at improving early education in the state.

DeSantis said HB 419 makes meaningful improvements in state accountability for early learning programs.

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“When I took office, our kindergarten readiness was 42% and we need to do better than that,” DeSantis said during a news conference in Vero Beach. “This legislation for accountability will turn the tide for these families and their students, and they will make them more prepared than ever for kindergarten.”

DeSantis also signed HB 7011 which provides and revises requirements relating to the improvement of student literacy skills. The new law requires the Department of Education to implement a coordinated screening and progress monitoring system for VPK program through grade 8.

The new laws go into effect July 1.