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 an 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 an evidence-based literacy curriculum, staff enough reading specialists to support intervention needs, and provide professional development to support teachers, reading specialists, and principals.