Virginia Literacy Act

Reading Specialists

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.

Dyslexia Advisors

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 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.

K-2 Instruction Block

Students in grades K-2 have a total of 150 minutes of instruction (120 minutes for Reading and 30 minutes for Writing).

3-5 Instruction Block

Students in grades 3-5 have a total of 120 minutes of instruction (90 minutes for Reading and 30 minutes for Writing).

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.

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 3-8 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 K-3 students whose results on VALLSS place them at "high risk" of reading difficulties or for 4-8 students who show difficulty with reading based on previous failing Reading SOL scores. The student plans will be developed by reading specialists, classroom teachers, and other support staff in collaboration with families. Together, the team will set literacy goals based on VALLSS data and include a plan to track students' progress. All students with student reading plans must receive intervention related to set literacy goals.

The Virginia Literacy Act (VLA) ensures all K-5 students with student reading plans receive evidence-based literacy intervention. Additionally, any supplemental instruction provided to students must also be evidence-based and grounded in reading research. Therefore, York County School Division has adopted the following intervention and supplemental programs to support the learning of K-5 students.

The Virginia Literacy Act (VLA) ensures all 6-8 students with student reading plans receive evidence-based literacy intervention. Additionally, any supplemental instruction provided to students must also be evidence-based and grounded in reading research. Therefore, York County School Division has adopted the following intervention and supplemental programs to support the learning of all students.