During the 2022 session of the Virginia General Assembly, lawmakers passed the Virginia Literacy Act with the aim of improving early literacy outcomes for Virginia's young learners. Through this act, the Virginia Department of Education has developed tools, resources, technical assistance and funding to support school divisions across the commonwealth review and implement curriculum approved through the VLA.
The main goals of the VLA are:
- Every student in kindergarten to grade five 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.