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:

Smiling child reading a large red book in a colorful elementary classroom surrounded by books, pencils, reading posters, and the phrase “We Love Literacy!”

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

Illustrated family literacy graphic showing two parents and two children reading and learning together. The family is surrounded by books, literacy resources, and a student reading plan. Text highlights that every family has access to free online evidence-based literacy resources and can participate in developing their child’s reading plan if literacy benchmarks are not met. The colorful design promotes family engagement, reading success, and literacy support at home and school.

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

Colorful educational infographic showing an elementary teacher working with students during a literacy lesson. The graphic highlights evidence-based literacy instruction for students in kindergarten through grade 5, including the use of literacy curriculum, student assessments, data-driven instruction, intervention planning, and ongoing professional development. Icons, books, student data charts, and literacy materials surround the classroom scene, emphasizing strong teaching practices that support reading growth and student success.

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

Colorful educational infographic featuring a reading specialist working one-on-one with an elementary student on literacy skills. The graphic highlights the reading specialist’s role in coordinating intervention services for students who do not meet literacy benchmarks and developing, implementing, and monitoring student reading plans in collaboration with teachers and families. Books, reading plan documents, literacy materials, and collaboration icons reinforce the focus on targeted support, student progress monitoring, and reading success for kindergarten through grade 5 students.

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

Colorful educational infographic centered around a red school building and school division literacy leadership. The graphic highlights a division-wide approach to literacy by developing a literacy plan, ensuring teachers use evidence-based literacy curriculum, staffing reading specialists to support student intervention needs, providing professional development for teachers, reading specialists, and principals, and receiving coaching from a regional literacy coach. Diverse educators are shown collaborating with literacy plans, curriculum materials, and professional learning resources. The design emphasizes teamwork, literacy leadership, and coordinated support to improve reading outcomes for all students.

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 a regional literacy coach

Colorful literacy-themed graphic promoting the SCPS Division Literacy Plan. A large checklist and pencil are centered on the page, surrounded by students, a teacher, books, and a red school building. The graphic includes the title “SCPS Division Literacy Plan” and invites visitors to click a link to access the division’s literacy plan. Educational icons and reading-themed elements emphasize literacy, collaboration, and student success across the school division.

SCPS Division Literacy Plan

Please click the following link to access our division literacy plan

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Contact

Tabitha Hite

Division Literacy Specialist

tabitha_hite@surryschools.net

Phone: 757-267-2558 x172

Professional headshot of a smiling woman with shoulder-length curly dark hair, wearing a white collared shirt under a black sweater. She is facing the camera against a soft blue studio background, with gold hoop earrings and a delicate necklace. The portrait conveys a warm, confident, and approachable professional appearance.

Contact

Joi Wooden

Literacy Specialist

joi_wooden@surryschools.net

Phone: 757-267-2810 x