Surry County Public Schools Literacy

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.

When the VLA goes into effect in the 2024-2025 school year, it will ensure that:

Reading

Every student in kindergarten to grade 5:

  • Receives core literacy instruction from an evidence-based literacy curriculum for the entire literacy block

  • Receives additional evidence-based instruction and intervention, as outlined in a student reading plan, if they do not meet literacy benchmarks

family

Every family:

  • Has access to free online evidence-based literacy instruction resources to support their child’s literacy development at home

  • Can participate in the development of their child’s student reading plan, if they do not meet literacy benchmarks

Every teacher of students in kindergarten to grade 5:

  • Uses evidence-based literacy curriculum for the entire literacy block

  • Assesses student learning using approved literacy screeners routinely throughout the year

  • Uses student-level data to inform both whole group instruction and individualized instruction and intervention

  • Provided with pre-service preparation and/or in-service training in evidence-based literacy instruction

books

Every reading specialist working with students kindergarten to grade 5

  • Coordinates and oversee intervention services for students not meeting literacy benchmarks

  • Develops, oversees implementation of, and monitors student progress on student reading plans, in collaboration with teachers and families

division

Every division:

  • Develops a division-wide literacy plan

  • Ensures all teachers have and use evidence-based literacy curriculum

  • Staffs enough reading specialists to support intervention needs

  • Provides professional development in evidence-based literacy instruction to teachers, reading specialists and principals

  • Receives coaching and support from regional literacy coach