VIRGINIA
A comprehensive overview of Virginia's enacted legislation, regulations, certification requirements, and state-provided resources related to dyslexia education.
BRIEF SUMMARY
Virginia requires early dyslexia screening, structured interventions, and professional training for teachers in evidence-based literacy practices. Schools must ensure science-based instruction and maintain communication with families about student progress.
VIRGINIA LEGISLATIONS AND REGULATIONS
1. HB842
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Summary: This bill requires any educator who wishes to renew their licensure, to complete awareness training on the indicators of dyslexia, as well as the evidence-based interventions and accommodations for dyslexia.
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How This Affects Families and Educators: This legislation aims to increase awareness of dyslexia among all educators in the state. Educators will benefit from this knowledge to be able to support students with dyslexia in their classes.
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More: HB842
2. HB2395/SB1516
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Summary: This legislation requires local school boards to employ at least one reading specialist trained in dyslexia identification and intervention. It mandates that one reading specialist be designated as a dyslexia advisor in each school district.
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How This Affects Families and Educators: This law enhances the support system for students with dyslexia by ensuring that specialized personnel are available to assist in their education. Families can expect more tailored support for their children’s literacy needs.
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More: HB2395/SB1516
3. HB1265 Training for Educators on Dyslexia (2018)
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Summary: This bill mandates that education preparation programs include training on the identification of dyslexia and effective interventions for students with dyslexia or related disorders.
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How This Affects Families and Educators: By ensuring that future educators are trained in dyslexia-specific strategies, this legislation aims to improve the quality of instruction for students with dyslexia.
4. SB349 (Comprehensive Dyslexia Plan) (2023)
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Summary: This bill requires the Virginia Department of Education to develop a comprehensive plan for the identification and intervention of students with dyslexia, including guidelines for screening and instructional practices.
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How This Affects Families and Educators: This legislation aims to provide a structured approach to identifying and supporting students with dyslexia, ensuring consistent practices across the state. Families will benefit from a clearer understanding of available resources.
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More: SB349
5. SB352 (2024)
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Summary: This legislation establishes requirements for local school divisions regarding early literacy screening, specifically targeting students at risk for reading difficulties, including dyslexia.
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How This Affects Families and Educators: Early identification of reading difficulties allows for timely interventions, which can significantly improve literacy outcomes for students with dyslexia. Families can expect proactive measures from schools.
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More: SB352
6. SB904 (2020)
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Summary: This bill charged the State Council on Higher Education to form a coalition of public institutions of higher education to gather and share information on the latest evidence-based methods and approaches to prepare teachers to effectively educate K–12 students in reading, including multisensory structured language education to instruct students with dyslexia.
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How This Affects Families and Educators: By forming this coalition, higher education institutions and teacher education programs across the state can be more aligned on the content and methodological approaches.
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More: SB904
7. SB220 (2024)
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Summary: This bill requires public schools to employ one reading specialist per 550 K-5 students and one per 1,100 students in Grades 6-8, trained in science-based reading methods. It also mandates that educator preparation programs include training on dyslexia identification and intervention. The Virginia Department of Education will create a list of professional development programs aligned with evidence-based literacy instruction.
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How This Affects Families and Educators: More trained reading specialists ensure better literacy support for students, particularly those with dyslexia. Families gain access to improved reading instruction, while educators receive better training and resources.
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More: SB220
8. HB319 (Virginia Literacy Act)
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Summary: The Virginia Literacy Act makes comprehensive changes to early literacy education in the state. It requires education preparation programs to demonstrate mastery of science-based reading research and evidence-based literacy instruction. The act mandates local school boards to establish division wide literacy plans and employ one reading specialist for every 550 students in kindergarten through grade three. It also requires schools to provide reading intervention services for students in K-3 who demonstrate deficiencies based on assessments.
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How This Affects Families and Educators: This legislation significantly enhances early literacy support for students and families. It ensures teachers receive thorough training in evidence-based literacy instruction, improving their ability to teach reading effectively. Families will have access to online resources to support literacy development at home and can participate in developing reading plans for struggling students. The act also increases the number of reading specialists in schools, providing more targeted support for students with reading difficulties.
TEACHER CERTIFICATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT REQUIREMENTS
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Virginia teachers are required to complete Dyslexia Awareness Training (5 points) as part of their license renewal process.
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This training is mandatory for each renewal cycle, regardless of the teacher's specialty or grade level.
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The Virginia Department of Education provides a free, online dyslexia awareness training module to fulfill this requirement.
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MORE VIRGINIA STATE RESOURCES
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