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School board approves biennial literacy plan under Virginia Literacy Act
Summary
The board approved the division'wide biennial literacy plan required by the Virginia Literacy Act, including K–5 HMH materials, VALS screening (expanding to grades 4–8), increased professional learning and an emphasis on family communication; board asked for clearer parent-facing data explanations.
Miss Bridal presented the Charlottesville City Schools biennial literacy plan on June 5 as both information and action required by the Virginia Literacy Act. The plan centers on evidence-based reading instruction, adoption of approved instructional materials (K–5 core: HMH Into Reading as presented in the packet), expanded use of VALS screening, interventions for tiered supports and a communications plan to help families interpret assessment results.
"Literacy is a civil right," Bridal said while outlining goals to increase equitable outcomes and strengthen teacher capacity through professional learning and coaching. She said the division implemented VALS K–3 this year and plans to expand screening to grades 4–8 next year; staff will continue to use MAP and DIBELS alongside locally developed assessments to monitor progress.
Board discussion focused on two practical issues: helping parents interpret assessment scores and tracking progress for students with reading plans. Bridal said staff intend to produce clearer parent-oriented materials and incorporate data displays into the fall reporting cadence. She also reported that division reading plans covered about 21% of students at the start of the year and that number dropped to roughly 17% by year-end after interventions and supports; staff said they will present more granular fall data to show where intervention is working.
Why it matters: the plan commits division resources to evidence-based reading programs and expands screening and progress monitoring, which the board said must be paired with clearer family communications so caregivers understand what the scores mean for instruction and support.
The board moved and approved the 2025–27 portion of the literacy plan by voice vote. Staff will bring follow-up information this fall, including data dashboards and parent-facing explanatory materials, and will begin the curriculum-adoption timeline when appropriate.
