1008.21  School readiness uniform screening (kindergarten).--

(1)  The Department of Education shall implement the school readiness uniform screening developed by the Florida Partnership for School Readiness, and shall require that all school districts administer the kindergarten uniform screening to each kindergarten student in the district school system upon the student's entry into kindergarten.

(2)(a)  The Department of Education shall implement the school readiness uniform screening to validate the system recommended by the Florida Partnership for School Readiness as part of a comprehensive evaluation design. Beginning with the 2002-2003 school year, the department shall require that all school districts administer the school readiness uniform screening to each kindergarten student in the district school system upon the student's entry into kindergarten. Children who enter public school for the first time in first grade must be administered the school readiness uniform screening adopted for use in first grade. The department shall incorporate school readiness data into the K-20 data warehouse for longitudinal tracking.

(b)  The uniform screening shall provide objective data regarding the following expectations for school readiness which shall include, at a minimum:

1.  The child's immunizations and other health requirements as necessary, including appropriate vision and hearing screening and examinations.

2.  The child's physical development.

3.  The child's compliance with rules, limitations, and routines.

4.  The child's ability to perform tasks.

5.  The child's interactions with adults.

6.  The child's interactions with peers.

7.  The child's ability to cope with challenges.

8.  The child's self-help skills.

9.  The child's ability to express his or her needs.

10.  The child's verbal communication skills.

11.  The child's problem-solving skills.

12.  The child's ability to follow verbal directions.

13.  The child's demonstration of curiosity, persistence, and exploratory behavior.

14.  The child's interest in books and other printed materials.

15.  The child's ability to pay attention to stories.

16.  The child's participation in art and music activities.

17.  The child's ability to identify colors, geometric shapes, letters of the alphabet, numbers, and spatial and temporal relationships.