Virginia Literacy Act
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 five will receive core literacy instruction based in scientifically based reading research and evidence-based literacy instruction, as defined in the VLA. Students in kindergarten through grade eight will also receive evidence-based supplemental 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.
The resources below provide more information about the VLA, and what divisions can do to prepare.
Updates from VDOE
- **NEW April 2024** Virginia Literacy Updates
- **NEW March 2024** Supplemental Access Codes and Intervention Access Codes for public review. Public comment on the supplemental and intervention materials may be submitted to vla@doe.virginia.gov.
- **NEW March 2024** Draft Student Reading Plan Template - Public comment on the draft student reading plan may be submitted to vla@doe.virginia.gov.
- **UPDATED March 2024** VLA Implementation Playbook
- **UPDATED March 2024** Division Literacy Plan, Instructions, and Virginia Literacy Updates
- **UPDATED January 2024** Division Literacy Plan and Instructions
- Virginia Literacy Act Cycle III Instructional Program Review Application Window Opens
- Call for Instructional Materials for Cycle 2 Review
- Approved Core Instructional Programs for Grades K-5
- Curriculum Review Process Update for the Virginia Literacy Act
- Statewide Training Opportunity for Reading Specialists: Institute Agenda, Recorded Webinar, Slides, FAQ
Literacy Implementation Network Sessions
To support school divisions as they are making instructional shifts to the VLA and to facilitate the process of the DLP development, VDOE has offered a monthly Literacy Network Implementation Series. Additionally, the VLA Implementation Playbook was released on March 14, 2024 through the Virginia Education Update. The VLA Implementation Playbook is designed to meet every school division where they are in the process of division literacy planning and will aid in providing a roadmap for a successful 2024-2025 school year. A summary of the Literacy Network Implementation Series is below.
|
Session 1 February 2024 |
Launching Our Work and Building Investment in a Literacy Vision |
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|---|---|---|
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Session 2 March 2024 |
Effective Leadership during Adoption and Early Implementation of HQIM |
|
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Session 3 April 2024 |
Establishing the Conditions for Successful HQIM Implementation |
Coming Soon |
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Session 4 Late April – May 2024 |
Deepening Support for Teachers: Professional Learning and Collaborative Planning |
Coming Soon |
Virginia Literacy Act Advisory Work Group
The role of the Virginia Literacy Act (VLA) Advisory Work Group will be to regularly review and advise the Department on programs, systems and regulations related to the VLA and related efforts. The VLA Advisory Work Group is anticipated to conclude in December 2024.
- Virginia Literacy Act Advisory Work Group Members (PDF)
- Work Group Webinars and Presentations
Resources and Explainers
- Virginia Literacy Act One-Pager (PDF)
- Phase I: Initial Review Application
- Phase II: Process and Rubrics for Core Instructional Program Review
- Instructional Program Review Cycle Status Update - Round I Core Instructional Material Review (PDF)
- Virginia Literacy Partnerships Professional Learning VALUE Series
Webinars and Presentations
- Overview of the Virginia Literacy Act VDOE Webinar Recording
- Updates to the Virginia Early Literacy Screener - May 24, 2023 Webinar Recording
Additional Materials
- Approval of K-3 Core Curriculum and Deadline for Submitting Locally-Created Literacy Resources, Superintendent's Memo #118-23 (June 15, 2023)
- Important Virginia Literacy Updates - Spring 2023 Superintendent's Memo #098-23 (May 18, 2023)
- Application for Reviewers for Virginia Literacy Act Instructional Materials Reviews - Cycle 2, Superintendent’s Memo #077-23 (April 24, 2023)
- Call for Materials for Virginia Literacy Act Instructional Materials Reviews, Superintendent's Memo #240-22 (October 13, 2022)
- Application for Reviewers for Virginia Literacy Act Instructional Materials Reviews, Superintendent's Memo #236-22 (October 4, 2022)
- Call for Applications for the Virginia Literacy Act Advisory Work Group, Superintendent's Memo #226-22 (September 23, 2022)
- Virginia Literacy Act Implementation, Superintendent's #186-22 (August 19, 2022)