Curriculum Review Process Update for the Virginia Literacy Act

The Virginia Literacy Act (VLA) seeks to improve K-5 literacy outcomes for all students in the Commonwealth. The VLA requires the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) to recommend instructional programs in literacy – including K-5 core, K-8 supplemental, and K-8 intervention materials – that are aligned with the eligibility criteria of VLA, namely evidence-based literacy instruction and science-based reading research for approval by the Virginia Board of Education (VBOE). The VBOE approved an initial list of K-3 core instructional materials in June 2023 and updated the list to include K-5 core instructional materials in December 2023.

The VDOE has partnered with the Virginia Literacy Partnerships (VLP) in the School of Education and Human Development at University of Virginia to conduct the instructional material reviews. Reviews are being conducted by Virginia educators including administrators, reading specialists, and teachers. This second cycle of review of core instructional programs includes grades K-5.

The Core Instructional Program Review consists of these two phases:

1. Phase I: Initial Review for alignment to features of evidence-based core instructional reading programs, as required by the VLA.
2. Phase II: In-depth Program Review for detailed alignment to evidence-based literacy instructional practices for teaching essential early literacy skills, by grade level, as required by the VLA.

Phase I of Cycle 2 has concluded and the status update shows the current progress for all the core instructional programs submitted in this second review cycle. Reviewers are preparing for the Phase II review process. Programs which pass Phase II will be brought to the VBOE to recommend for approval during the November 15-16 Board meeting and then be presented for final approval during the December Board meeting.

Note that VDOE and VLP are separately working with Virginia school divisions that have submitted locally-created core instructional programs. The VDOE will not publish process updates but will work closely with these school divisions. Those division reviews will be completed by January 2024. VDOE and VLP are also reviewing supplemental and intervention materials for grades K-8. A recommended list of supplemental and intervention materials will be brought to the VBOE for approval in early 2024.

For questions regarding this review status update, please contact vla@doe.virginia.gov.

Virginia Literacy Act (VLA) Instructional Program Review Cycle 2 Round 1 Core Instructional Program Review

The Virginia Literacy Act (VLA) seeks to improve literacy outcomes for all students in the Commonwealth. The VLA requires the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) to recommend instructional programs in literacy – including K-5 core, K-8 supplemental, and K-8 intervention materials – that are aligned with the eligibility criteria of VLA, namely evidence-based literacy instruction and science-based reading research for approval by the Virginia Board of Education (VBOE).

VDOE, in partnership with the Virginia Literacy Partnerships (VLP), has opened Cycle 2 of the Instructional Program Review process which includes:

• K-5 Core Instructional Programs
• K-8 Supplemental Materials
• K-8 Intervention Materials

Reviews are being conducted by Virginia educators including administrators, reading specialists, and teachers. Virginia is using a two-phase process for core instruction review that is 1) modeled on similar processes in other states, and 2) designed to align with the requirements of the VLA and the current textbook review process.

The tables below show the core instructional programs submitted in this review cycle and the program’s current status.

Table 1: Cycle 2 Core Instructional Programs

In addition to the providers listed above, VDOE and VLP are working with districts who have submitted their locally-created core instructional programs to review materials for alignment with VLA requirements.  A recommended list of supplemental and intervention materials will also be brought to the VBOE for approval in early 2024.