Literacy
The capacity to read, write, speak, and listen in a way that facilitates efficient communication and helps us make sense of the outside world is known as literacy. With the passage of the Virginia Literacy Act (VLA) in the 2022, Virginia is taking the lead nationwide to improve early literacy outcomes for Virginia’s young learners. Through the VLA, the Virginia Department of Education is supporting school divisions through a multi-year effort with tools, resources, technical assistance and funding.
For a breakdown of how the VLA will impact the development of your child's literacy, check out:
What Parents Need to Know About Literacy (English).
What Parents Need to Know About Literacy (Spanish)
VLA Implementation Playbook
As school divisions continue to engage in the regional literacy network implementation series and prepare for full implementation of the Virginia Literacy Act, the Department has created a playbook that will serve as a companion framework to help guide decision making and assist school division leadership teams in mapping out their implementation plan when they return to their divisions. The VLA Implementation Playbook is designed to meet every school division where they are in the process and will aid in providing a roadmap for a successful 2024-2025 school year.
Virginia Literacy Act Implementation Playbook
Everybody Reads
Parents are their child’s first and most important teacher. Virginia Public Media along with the University of Virginia has developed incredible resources for parents as part of the Literacy Act. We are happy to share these resources with you. Visit Reading Doesn’t Just Happen to learn about ways to support your child’s literacy.
VDOE Standards of Learning Resources for Reading
The VDOE strives to provide the best resources to the Commonwealth’s parents. The English program has created an easy-to-understand, grade-level specific chart you can use to support your learners at home and provides a set of webinars for families. Click the links below to access these great resources.
Library of Virginia and Local Libraries 
Visit your local public library to participate in reading programs and activities. To find a library near you, check out this interactive map provided by the Library of Virginia.
Also, be sure to check out DayByDayVA, a platform that provides daily literacy resources for children. Each day, the webpage suggests a book to read, provides song lyrics, video clips, and more to strengthen literacy skills for your child. English and Spanish versions are available.
Additional Literacy Resources
University of Virginia: Virginia Literacy Partnerships
- VALLSS Literacy Resources for Home
- General
- How Can My Child Listen to Books at Home?
- How Can My Child Play Computer Games to Help Improve Literacy Skills?
- How Can I Help My Child Play with Sounds?
- How Can I Help My Child Learn Their Letter Names and Sounds?
- How Can I Help My Child Read and Spell Words?
- How Can I Help My Child Learn New Vocabulary?
- How Can I Help My Child with Reading Comprehension?
- How Can I Support My Child's Language Development?
- <How Can I Support My Child's Writing?
- How Can My Child Read Online Books at Home?
- How Can I Help My Child Read with an Appropriate Pace and Expression?
- General
Virginia Parent Teacher Association
American Academy of Pediatrics
- Developmental Milestones of Early Literacy
- Is Your Child Ready to Read?
- Brush, Book, Bed: How to Structure Your Child’s Nighttime Routine
Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy
National Center on Improving Literacy
Raising Readers
Reading Rockets
- Reading 101: A Guide for Parents
- 10 Things You Can Do to Raise a Reader
- Reading 101 for Parents: Phonological and Phonemic Awareness