(from VDOE - Virginia Literacy Act Homepage)
With the passage of the Virginia Literacy Act (VLA) in the 2022
General Assembly, Virginia is taking the lead nationwide to improve
early literacy outcomes for Virginia’s young learners. Through the VLA,
the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) will support school
divisions through a multi-year effort with tools, resources, technical
assistance and funding.
Beginning in the 2024-2025 school year:
- Every student in kindergarten to grade three will
receive core literacy instruction based in scientifically based reading
research and evidence based literacy instruction, as defined in the VLA.
Students will also receive evidence-based instruction and intervention,
as outlined in an individualized student reading plan, if they do not
meet literacy benchmarks.
- Every family will have access to online resources
to support literacy development at home, and will be able to participate
in the development of their child’s student reading plan, if their
child does not meet literacy benchmarks.
- Every teacher will use evidence-based literacy
curriculum, assess student learning using approved literacy screeners,
use student-level data to inform instruction and intervention, and
participate in pre-service preparation or training on evidence-based
literacy instruction.
- Every reading specialist, in consultation with
classroom teachers, will coordinate and oversee intervention for
students not meeting literacy benchmarks, and will develop and monitor
student progress on student reading plans, working closely with families
and teachers.
- Every division will develop a literacy plan, ensure
the use of evidence-based literacy curriculum, staff enough reading
specialists to support intervention needs, and provide professional
development to support teachers, reading specialists, and principals.
DOWNLOAD THE STATE'S VLA ONE-PAGER ... IT EXPLAINS IT ALL!
Virginia Literacy Act Webinar
Links & Resources
Resources
and information to help families and educators navigate the new
legislation and understand what it means for teaching and learning in
Virginia.
Families
VLP - Resources for Families - Information from the University of Virginia about early literacy screening and learning.
VDOE - Literacy Resources for Families and Communities - Free resources, organized by grade-levels, to help families and communities promote and build literacy.
VDOE - Family Literacy Webinars -
Educational webinars from the state to help parents and families better
understand how to support their child's literacy at home.
Educators
VLP - VALUE Series - Professional development for reading specialists and teachers on science of reading topics, best practices, and PALS
VLP - Professional Learning Library
(Readings) - Articles and web pages for educators on teaching within the science of reading framework.
(Recordings) - Video recordings related to the VLA and evidence-based literacy instruction.
(Short Videos) - Short videos related to evidence-based literacy instruction.
(Webinars) - Recorded longer webinars from VDOE regarding VLA and evidence-based literacy instruction
VLP - Virginia Literacy Partners Informational Flyer (PDF) -
Information on upcoming changes to the State literacy screening tool
used to identify students who will receive additional, evidence-based
literacy support.