Virginia schools would provide reading help and adopt classroom materials

Local school boards would provide reading help and written plans for students with serious reading gaps. This applies to students in kindergarten through grade eight whose reading test or state literacy screener shows substantial deficiencies. A reading specialist and the student's teacher must develop and monitor the plan; parents must receive notice and a chance to help develop it. The plan must identify the student's reading needs, growth goals, progress checks, and instruction. It may include extra services such as specialist help or more learning time. A state literacy screener may not start before the tenth full instructional day, and its testing window must last at least 15 full instructional days. Students receiving help must be assessed again at the end of that school year.

Each school board would include a literacy plan in its divisionwide school plan. The divisionwide literacy plan covers prekindergarten through grade eight. The plan must identify the reading programs used in each school and grade, explain how parents will be supported, and describe support for teachers and reading specialists. Stipends or added staff depend on available state or local funds. The act says additional costs are subject to appropriation and does not require new state or local funding. The school board must submit its plan to the Department and post it online; the Department must also post each plan.

Local school boards would adopt listed classroom materials or use a local selection process that meets state rules. The requirements apply to local school boards and public schools in Virginia. The materials cover English language arts in grades six through twelve and math, science, and history and social science in kindergarten through grade twelve. For schools that need improvement, the Department would review curricula and may create a grant program from appropriated funds to help adopt materials and teacher training. These provisions appear in the section version labeled effective July 1, 2026; the bill text gives no separate effective date for the act.