A BIG thank you to our General Assembly members, legislative staff, the governor and his administration for making literacy initiatives a top priority. A child’s ability to read by third grade is a predictor of academic and life success. Over half of Virginia’s children aren’t reading by third grade. The legislature made a strong commitment to literacy with robust bipartisan support and $21m in state investment to help MORE children read.
These strategic investments will help support struggling readers, equip teachers with the tools to teach aligned with the science of reading, provide coaches and reading specialists in the classroom to support instruction in school and help families with resources through the implementation of the Virginia Literacy Act. The funding for the Virginia Language and Literacy Screener System (VALLSS) helps teachers and families understand the skills children have, detect reading difficulties early and provide strategies for teachers and families in English and Spanish.
The reading network in children’s brains doesn’t naturally exist; it must be built. Children who have access to quality books have better literacy outcomes. Reading is the key for lifelong learning and success in school, work and life. That is why Virginia has partnered with the Dolly Parton Imagination Library (DPIL) to increase equitable access for children and families to high quality, age-appropriate books to inspire a love of reading and provide activities and tips for families. Over 250,000 children in Virginia need access to books.
There is still work to do. It will take a comprehensive literacy strategy implemented and invested in year after year as other states have done. We must pull every lever and take the long view to help EVERY child read proficiently by third grade.