“Proficient use of the English language enables students to explore and articulate the complex issues and ideas encountered in public and personal life. By engaging in critical and creative thinking, students are able to solve problems and use language to further educational, career, and personal endeavors” (Introduction, Virginia English Standards of Learning, 2017)

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To help improve kindergarten readiness, students enrolled in the Early Learning Preschool program are given access to high-quality classroom interactions and instruction. Teachers use an evidenced-based, integrated, and comprehensive curriculum that supports the standards outlined in the Virginia Building Blocks. The purpose of the Foundation Blocks is to provide early childhood educators a set of comprehensive standards with indicators of success for entering kindergarten derived from scientifically based research.

The Virginia Standards of Learning provide the foundation for instruction in Henrico County for students in kindergarten through twelfth grade. These standards, adopted in 2017, include an integrated approach designed to teach students to read, write, research, and communicate. As stated in the introduction to the 2017 English Standards of Learning, the overarching goal of the Standards is to prepare students “to participate in society as literate citizens, equipped with the ability to think analytically, solve problems, communicate effectively, and collaborate with diverse groups in their communities, workplace, and postsecondary education.” In kindergarten through third grade, the Standards support students as they learn to read fluently, comprehend a variety of texts, communicate orally and in writing, and collaborate with peers. As students enter fourth grade and continue through twelfth grade, the focus shifts to thinking deeper about text and the ways we communicate. Students learn and practice strategies for comprehending and analyzing text as well as develop ways to effectively communicate information across all genres and content areas.

While the 2017 English Standards of Learning provide the foundation for English and Language Arts instruction, the skills and strategies taught within this framework cross into other content areas. The elementary reading block and the secondary English class directly teach students how to read, comprehend, analyze and evaluate texts, and communicate information. Being able to apply these skills for authentic purposes, though, is essential for student success. All content areas, such as social studies and science, allow for the direct application of the English standards as students work to listen, speak, read, write, and think critically. For this reason, all teachers, regardless of content area, are tasked with reinforcing the practice and application of the English standards. LifeReady learners are prepared to apply the skills learned through reading and English classes as they identify, understand, interpret, create, compute, and communicate using visual, audible, and digital materials across disciplines and in any context.