Virginia Literacy Act
Building A Foundation of Lifelong Literacy
Welcome to Prince George County Public Schools' Virginia Literacy Act homepage. This webpage serves as the place to learn more about the division's efforts to support literacy among our entire school community.
Overview
Virginia's children have the opportunity to overcome literacy challenges and thrive. Students who are not proficient readers by the end of the third grade are significantly more likely to drop out of high school than proficient readers. PGCPS joins divisions across Virginia in facing this challenge through the Virginia Literacy Act, ensuring our students have the resources they need to succeed through early diagnosis and intervention.
Virginia's children have the opportunity to overcome literacy challenges and thrive. Students who are not proficient readers by the end of the third grade are significantly more likely to drop out of high school than proficient readers. PGCPS joins divisions across Virginia in facing this challenge through the Virginia Literacy Act, ensuring our students have the resources they need to succeed through early diagnosis and intervention.
Our Vision
Through the use of science-based, systematic, and explicit literacy instruction, the students of PGCPS will develop the necessary skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening, which serve as the foundation of lifelong literacy. Students will engage with high-quality text to develop comprehension, and active listening, as well as oral and written communication. Students' diverse needs are met as they prepare to become productive citizens in an ever-changing world.
Through the use of science-based, systematic, and explicit literacy instruction, the students of PGCPS will develop the necessary skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening, which serve as the foundation of lifelong literacy. Students will engage with high-quality text to develop comprehension, and active listening, as well as oral and written communication. Students' diverse needs are met as they prepare to become productive citizens in an ever-changing world.
Our School Division Literacy Plan
Learn more about Prince George County Public Schools' commitment to support literacy among our students by reviewing the district's literacy plan, as submitted to the Virginia Department of Education, and approved by the Prince George County School Board on June 10, 2024.
Learn more about Prince George County Public Schools' commitment to support literacy among our students by reviewing the district's literacy plan, as submitted to the Virginia Department of Education, and approved by the Prince George County School Board on June 10, 2024.
Literacy Plan Documents & Resources
Reading Specialists, By PGCPS Elementary Campus
- D.A. Harrison Elementary: Megan Schlimmer, Amber Barham, Jessica Lee
- Middle Road Elementary: Megan Beck, Tracey Agee, Kathleen Temple
- L.L. Beazley Elementary: Erica Woolheater, Quinn Pollard
- North Elementary: Miranda Davis, Brooke Fitzwater, Beth Heimbuch
- South Elementary: Ellen Walthall, Title I Teacher: Jenny Killen
- Division Dyslexia Teacher: Lynette Breslin
Virginia Language & Literacy Screening System (VALLSS)
During the school year, kindergarten through third-grade students will be screened utilizing the Virginia Language & Literacy Screening System (VALLSS) as part of PGCPS and Virginia's commitment to reducing the number of children with reading problems through early diagnosis and supportive intervention.
This screening aims to get a snapshot of critical literacy skills at a single moment, identify students at risk for developing reading difficulties, and provide essential information to target instruction and best support students.
Click HERE to learn more about what VALLSS measures.
Understanding Your Child's Screening
Following the screenings during the school year, you will receive information about your child and their literacy level following your child’s screening, outlining your child’s risk level for potentially developing a reading difficulty, and in what areas your child may need additional support. After completing the screening, your child will receive an indication of an overall band, Low, Moderate, or High Risk:
- Low Risk: If your child is in the low-risk band, they are at low risk for developing a reading difficulty. Your child needs to continue to receive systematic and explicit classroom instruction. Families are encouraged to continue to monitor their child’s VALLSS scores throughout the year.
- Moderate Risk: If your child is in the moderate-risk band, your child is at moderate risk for developing a reading difficulty. Your child needs to receive targeted, explicit instruction in areas of need based on the VALLSS instructional indicators. Even though your child is not in the high-risk band, supplemental instruction is highly recommended to move them to the low-risk band and get them caught up in key skill areas.
- High Risk: If your child is in the high-risk band, they are significantly behind in basic literacy development and need targeted, explicit instruction. Your child is eligible for an additional 2.5 hours of literacy instruction per week through the Early Intervention Reading Initiative (EIRI). This 2.5 hours per week of additional literacy instruction may include time with a person or a program, or a combination of the two. We encourage you to reach out to your child’s school for information about EIRI intervention and resources for your child.
Click HERE to take a closer look at an example student screening summary report.
Literacy Resources for Families
There are a variety of resources available for families through our partnership with The University of Virginia that can be viewed at https://literacy.virginia.edu/resources-families.
More Information About VALLSS
To learn more about VALLSS, we encourage families to review the "VALLSS Brochure for Families" document in Literacy Plan Documents & Resources section of this webpage.