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The Buena Vista School Board was presented with an updated division literacy plan at its May 23 meeting.
Under the Virginia Literacy Act, legislation aimed at improving reading instruction in the state, the division will have to submit this plan to the state by July 1.
As presented last month, the plan outlines the materials that will be used to teach reading. For Buena Vista, the core of the reading curriculum will be Benchmark Advance.
For supplemental instruction, the division will use materials from the University of Florida Literacy Institute, and for intervention will use Heggerty materials.
While teachers will be trained in using the Benchmark Advanced curriculum, both the supplemental and intervention materials are already in place in the schools.
“So for our supplemental instruction and intervention programs we’re trying to stick with things that we already have in place, because we already have other training going on, and that is the equivalent of a college course,” said Gennifer Miller, assistant superintendent, presenting the plan to the Board.
Between May 2024 and January 2025, Buena Vista teachers, reading specialists and building administrators will participate in trainings designed to improve their methods of reading instruction through the science of reading.
Another part of the literacy plan is building relationships with parents, caregivers and community members as the literacy act rolls out.
“Establishing successful partnerships between schools, parents, caregivers and the wider community is paramount for fostering literacy development in children,” according to the plan.
“Actively involving parents and caregivers in literacy activities and decision-making processes will be key and will be fostered by encouraging their participation in workshops, school events, and volunteering opportunities related to literacy,” it reads.
The literacy plan will be submitted to the Department of Education by July 1, and will be posted on the division’s website.
