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2024-2025 Literacy Updates

We are excited to share important updates to our reading program for the upcoming school year. As a Commonwealth, the Virginia General Assembly passed the Virginia Literacy Act (VLA) in 2022 as part of the Commonwealth’s efforts to take the lead nationwide to improve early literacy outcomes for Virginia’s young learners. In short, the VLA outlines the core literacy instruction that is based in scientific reading research and evidence-based literacy instruction that elementary school students will receive. It also outlines how students in kindergarten through eighth grade will receive supplemental instruction and intervention as needed. More information about the VLA is available on the Virginia Department of Education website.

Please note the following as it relates to the VLA and our schools:

Kindergarten through third grade students will take the new state screener, Virginia Language & Literacy Screener (VALLS), three times per year. This replaces the previous PALS assessment. In line with the VLA, we will create personalized student reading plans for any child needing additional support based on their VALLS results. For more resources on VALLS, please click here.
The School Board adopted high-quality instructional materials which we will be using in Kindergarten through fifth grade. We selected Amplify Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) as our core curriculum after careful consideration and a successful pilot program.
As part of our commitment to providing the best education for your child, we have decided to discontinue using Fountas and Pinnell (F&P) reading levels. While F&P has been a valuable tool in the past, we are moving to a new assessment method that will provide more detailed insights into your child's reading abilities. We will be using the DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills) assessment, which is designed to measure key components of early literacy. This assessment will be given three times a year (August, December, and May) and a report will be sent home. Beyond the assessment, teachers will track progress every 2-3 weeks on any subtests where students may have faced challenges.
Also in alignment with the Virginia Literacy Act, we now have a comprehensive Division Literacy Plan.

Additionally, the Virginia Department of Education has released the new 2024 English Standards of Learning designed to ensure students develop foundational solid reading and critical thinking skills, preparing them for future academic success.

If you have any questions about the VLA and how it will change literacy instruction in our schools, please complete this Google Form.

Thank you for your support, partnership, and engagement as we work to further improve literacy outcomes among our students.

Our Literacy Vision

In Louisa County Public Schools we aim to cultivate lifelong learners equipped with robust literacy skills. Anchored in the Science of Reading, our comprehensive literacy program is designed to evolve with students as they progress from elementary to secondary school. We recognize that literacy is not a destination but a journey of continuous growth and exploration. In our commitment to literacy, we pledge to stay abreast of the latest research, integrating evidence-based literacy instruction into our classrooms using high quality instructional materials. By fostering a culture of reading, critical thinking, and communicating, we not only aim to produce proficient readers, but also to inspire a generation of informed, articulate, and empowered citizens. Together, we LEAD THE WAY in literacy, ensuring that every student in Louisa County Public Schools is equipped with the tools they need for lifelong success.

How We Teach K-5 Reading In Louisa County Public Schools:

Supporting Your Child's Reading at Home

Review the elements of reading below then select a grade level to find the top resources from LCPS teachers, the Florida Center for Reading Research©, and Virginia Literacy Partnerships. These family activities have easy-to-follow instructions and cover all areas of literacy.

Phonological Awareness is the foundation for learning to read! It's the ability to recognize that spoken words are made up of individual sound parts. Phonemic Awareness is the ability to identify and play with individual sounds in spoken words.

Once your child develops some phonological awareness, they must learn the alphabetic principle– how to attach sounds to letters and vise versa. Below you will find our sequence of instruction which shows the order we introduce letters, spelling patterns, and red words. Students are exposed to grade level concepts during whole group and receive individualized instruction above or below grade level concepts in small group.

Phonics is a method of teaching reading and writing by helping children understand the relationship between letters and the sounds they represent.

LCPS Phonics Sequence of Instruction

Fluency is the ability to read with speed, accuracy, and proper expression. In order to understand what they read, children must be able to read fluently whether they are reading aloud or silently. For more information, please visit Fluency with Text and check out the video.

Learning to write is a crucial part of your child's education and development. For an elementary student, it means more than just forming letters and words. It involves understanding how to express thoughts clearly, organize ideas logically, and use correct grammar and punctuation.

Kindergarten Through Grade 5 Writing Progression

Talking to and reading with your child are two terrific ways to help them increase their vocabulary- the number of words they know. The more words a child knows, the more they are able to understand what they’re reading or listening to.

From preschool to high school, it's crucial for kids to understand what they read. When reading at home, engage them by asking and answering questions like what, how, and why. Next, help them identify the main idea. These strategies will enhance their comprehension and make their reading more meaningful!

For PreK, 1st, 2nd and 3rd Grade Families:

Everything you need to know about the Virginia VALLS assessment.

Additional Literacy Information

National Center on Improving Literacy offers ideas to help your beginning reader read and write with practical ideas and strategies based on what works.

Reading Partners provides some resources to stay educated and informed about early literacy.

Meadows Center offers tips and resources on a variety of topics to help parents with learning at home.

SUPPORTING YOUNG ENGLISH LEARNERS AT HOME

Developed by the team at the Regional Educational Laboratory—West, Regional Educational Laboratory—Northeast & Islands, and Regional Educational Laboratory—Northwest, these activity sheets are designed to provide simple, fun activities families and caregivers can use with children at home. The activities are available in both English and Spanish and can help strengthen language development in either the home language or English. The activities were created activities based on the What Works Clearinghouse practice guide, Teaching Academic Content and Literacy to English Learners in Elementary and Middle School.

IMPLEMENTATION TOOLKITS

Developed by the team at the National Center on Improving Literacy, these toolkits provide practical help for educators, parents, and caregivers who are implementing recommended literacy practices. Multiple toolkits are available and include topics like Understanding Dyslexia, Learning about Your Child’s Reading Development, and Families and Schools Partnering for Children’s Literacy Success.

CBM AT HOME

Developed by the team at FCRR and the Center on Teaching and Learning at the University of Oregon, CBM at home is designed to help educators, parents, and caregivers understand their children's risk for developing reading difficulties in the future. CBM stands for Curriculum-Based Measure. The CBMs are short timed tests that measure important early reading skills, and are available in English and Spanish.

SUPPORTING YOUR CHILD’S READING AT HOME

Developed by the team at the Regional Educational Laboratory—Southeast. This site contains additional family activities and videos to help your child develop language, link sounds to letters, blend letters and word parts to read and write words and read for understanding. The activities were created activities based on the What Works Clearinghouse practice guides, Foundational Skills to Support Reading for Understanding in Kindergarten Through 3rd Grade.

Megan Cornelius

Division Literacy Specialist

cornelmr@lcps.k12.va.us

Louisa County Public Schools