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Board hears Virginia Literacy Act update: Benchmark Advance implemented and midyear reading gains reported
Summary
District staff reported on implementation of the Virginia Literacy Act (VLA), adoption and playbook development for Benchmark Advance, Canvas professional development requirements, and midyear screening and diagnostic data (I‑Ready and VALS) showing gains at elementary and middle grades.
Clark County Public Schools staff gave a detailed update on implementation of the Virginia Literacy Act and the district’s high‑quality instructional materials.
Administrators said the district selected Benchmark Advance as the approved intervention material and has built a playbook for consistent implementation. District Canvas professional development modules for staff are open and must be completed by June 10. The Virginia Language and Literacy Screener (VALS) was used for kindergarten through grade 3 and the spring administration dates were listed as April 21 through May 16; a Spanish version and a grades 4–8 screener are expected in future years when released by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE).
Staff reported midyear diagnostic results from I‑Ready and VALS. Elementary I‑Ready results for grades 1–5 showed the share of students two or more grade levels below decreased from 34.4% in fall to 12.3% in the winter; students at or above grade level rose from 44.2% to 53.0%. In grades 6–8, students two or more grade levels below fell from 40% to 30.7%, while the on‑grade cohort rose to about 50.5% in winter testing. VALS results for kindergarten through grade 2 showed low‑risk students grew from 35.5% (fall) to 55.8% (winter); moderate‑ and high‑risk bands shifted accordingly.
Staff described ongoing fidelity checks, teacher surveys on implementation, instructional walkthroughs, RTI (response to intervention) meetings led by principals, and reading specialists’ roles in interventions and reading plans. District staff said Benchmark’s assessments have been extensive and they are refining which of those assessments to use consistently in the district playbook.
School leaders emphasized the rollout is “fluid”: staff will collect teacher feedback, revise the playbook, and continue training so classroom practice aligns with the VLA goals. District leaders also noted materials and supports for grades 6–8 are pending VDOE approval of the state intervention list.
