News and Events
Rightpath Professors Jason Anthony and Jeffrey Williams Receive 1.8 Million Grant to enhance the quality of early education programs in Florida

Jason Anthony, PhD

Jeffrey Williams, PhD
Nearly 150,000 children each year receive early education services through Florida’s Voluntary Prekindergarten program. The Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) recently awarded ºÚÁÏÍø³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏProfessor Jason Anthony and ºÚÁÏÍø³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏAssociate Research Professor Jeffrey Williams, PI and Co-PI, from the Rightpath Research & Innovation Center a $1.8 million contract titled "Development of an Accountability System for Florida's Voluntary Prekindergarten Program." This collaborative project, in partnership with FLDOE and Hillsborough County Public Schools, aims to enhance the quality of early education programs throughout Florida.
The contract supports creation of a quality rating system for programs that accept VPK vouchers. The quality rating system will empower parents to make informed decisions about their child's education. It will also inform targeted allocation of professional development resources to those who need in most. “Research activities will involve our team of data analysts