Virginia Literacy Act

The Early Intervention Reading Initiative (EIRI) was established to identify elementary students at risk of reading difficulties and provide funding to school divisions to support intervention. The Virginia Literacy Act (VLA) requires school divisions to use the Virginia Language and Literacy Screening System (VALLSS) with all K-2 and select grade 3 students. The Literacy Screening in Virginia Information Sheet and resources from the Virginia Literacy Partnerships website provide more information on the components of the VALLSS assessment.

Individualized student reading plans are required by the VLA and will be developed for all students whose results on VALLSS place them at "high risk" of reading difficulties. The student plans will be developed by reading specialists, classroom teachers, with collaboration of families. Together, the team will set literacy goals based on VALLSS data and include a plan to track students' progress.

Reading specialists have received professional developments to support the Virginia Literacy Act (VLA) implementation. All reading specialists will support the development of student reading plans and be available for questions regarding students' progress. Reading specialists for each York County elementary and middle school are listed below.

In addition to reading specialists, York County School Division has a dyslexia advisor. While all reading specialists have received professional development about dyslexia, the division dyslexia advisor attends state meetings and can offer additional information. The division dyslexia advisor is listed below.

The Virginia Literacy Act (VLA) ensures all K-5 students receive evidence-based literacy instruction. Literacy curriculum must include high-quality instructional materials approved by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE). York County School Division (YCSD) has adopted Houghton-Mifflin Harcourt (HMH) Into Reading Virginia as the VDOE-approved K-5 literacy program.

HMH Into Reading includes four main components: phonics, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and writing. Students have opportunities to engage in reading and writing opportunities related to a central topic and aligned to the rigorous 2024 English Standards of Learning.

The York County School Division (YCSD) literacy instructional minutes exceed the VDOE-requirements. The YCSD literacy block relates to the adopted HMH Into Reading program and includes additional time for individualized small group instruction.

Structured Literacy instruction includes phonics instruction for all K-2 students based on grade-level expectations for reading and spelling.

Foundational skills for students in grades 3-5 include grade level phonics for reading and spelling as well as the study of prefixes, suffixes, and both Greek and Latin roots.

Vocabulary instruction focuses on identifying the meanings of words using word parts and context. Students have opportunities to apply new vocabulary in their daily oral and written language activities.

Reading instruction includes comprehension skills aligned to the 2024 English Standards of Learning. Students have opportunities to respond to what they read with oral or written responses.

Small group instruction is based on student assessments, such as the Virginia Language and Literacy Screening System (VALLSS), and provides instruction to students’ specific needs.

Writing instruction focuses on both the process of writing as well as an explicit grammar scope and sequence aligned to the 2024 English Standards of Learning.

At the heart of the Virginia Literacy Act (VLA) is the partnership between schools and families. The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) and Virginia Literacy Partnerships offer many resources for families to learn more about evidenced-based literacy instruction.

The video below highlights the importance of literacy instruction grounded in science-based reading research.

Science Based Reading Research and the Virginia Literacy Act for Families

Links to useful resources are included throughout the YCSD Literacy Website. Individual links to each resource are included below.

• Science Based Reading Research for Families
• Language Building for Families
• Phonological Awareness for Families
• K-2 Fluency for Families
• 3-8 Fluency for Families
• Comprehension for Families
• Vocabulary for Families
• 2024 English Standards of Learning

Virginia Literacy Partnerships offers additional literacy resources for families on their website.

For families that would like to learn more about evidence-based literacy instruction, Virginia Literacy Partnership has created the VALUE series focused on grades K-3 and 4-8. These resources provide a deeper understanding of science-based reading research.

Be sure to check this page often for updated resources and information of YCSD literacy events!