MIAMI, Dec. 9 (UPI) -- The Florida Legislature started another attempt to establish a pre-school program, but was met with criticism by early childhood advocates.
The program called for a three-hour school day and a ratio of one teacher for every 18 students, the St. Petersburg Times reported Thursday.
Janet Chapman, executive director of the Pinellas School Readiness coalition said assigning one teacher to 18 4-year-olds is "basically crowd control."
Legislators called the plan a starting point for negotiations expected to take place during a one-week special session that begins Monday.
Gov. Jeb Bush agreed it was a start and said he wants to work with lawmakers "to create a quality program."
Voters mandated a universal, voluntary preschool program in 2002 and it is scheduled to go into effect next year.
Legislators said they would not know how much it would cost until enrollment figures become available, but estimated first-year costs at $400 million.
