Midyear VOWS screening shows gains in K–2; division plans coaching and support for teachers

The York County School Division presented midyear results from the Virginia Language and Literacy Screener (VOWS) for kindergarten through second grade and described next steps for instruction and intervention.

Christina Head, associate director of elementary instruction and academic progress, summarized the VOWS tool and explained midyear testing is shorter and more rigorous than the fall administration. The screener assigns students to three risk bands (low, moderate, high) and the midyear score ranges shift to reflect expected learning progress; a student who was low risk in the fall can fall into moderate risk at midyear if midyear expectations rise even though the student made measurable progress.

Head reported midyear results: kindergarten tested 807 students with 76% in the low-risk band (up from 39% in the fall) and 14% at high risk (down from 24%); first grade (919 midyear-tested) had 74% low risk (up from 55% in the fall) and 11% high risk (down from 16%); second grade (924 tested midyear) had 71% low risk (up from 46% in the fall) and 14% high risk (down from 19% in the fall). Head cautioned that some small schools with transient populations show divergence in those percentages and that VOWS reporting currently requires teacher-level interpretation of subtest results to guide instruction.

Division staff described required actions for students who fall in the high-risk band: the state requires a student reading plan and an additional 2.5 hours per week of intervention; students who were high risk in fall must continue plans even if they improve by midyear. For students who newly enter high-risk at midyear, teams must develop new plans. Staff said schools will revise student reading plans, provide parent reports, and supply targeted home supports as needed.

Head said the division arranged regional literacy coaches from the Virginia Literacy Partnership to train reading specialists on midyear data interpretation and planned an optional teacher-focused session later in the month. VDOE will publish statewide fall data and a VLP webinar on VOWS test development was expected following the meeting.

Ending: The division will present spring VOWS results in June and continue to support schools with regional coaching and local professional development.