summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Regular Session
Bill Summary
Student literacy programs and plans; certain adjustments. Prohibits any Department of Education-approved student literacy screener that is administered to identify deficiencies that warrant reading intervention services for students in grades kindergarten through eight from commencing earlier than the tenth full instructional day of the academic year, and requires the testing window established by the Department to extend no fewer than 15 full instructional days to ensure adequate instructional readiness and equitable access. The bill requires (i) the Department's template for student reading plans to (a) auto-populate all available student data from the results on the literacy screener provided by the Department; (b) minimize duplicative manual data entry; (c) authorize the use of standardized instructional profiles for students presenting substantially similar literacy needs, where appropriate; and (d) permit the batch creation of plans when it is appropriate to the instructional context; (ii) the Department to annually compile, in a de-identified format, themes and trends reported through division-level educator feedback mechanisms related to the implementation of the literacy screeners provided by the Department and the development of reading plans; and (iii) prior to the statewide implementation of any substantial modification to the literacy screeners provided by the Department or associated data systems, the Department to conduct an implementation feasibility analysis that assesses system readiness, teacher workload impact, and anticipated training needs. The bill also establishes several new requirements for divisionwide literacy plans.
AI Summary
This bill modifies existing laws concerning student literacy programs and plans by establishing specific timelines for literacy screeners, which are assessments used to identify students needing reading intervention services for grades kindergarten through eight. These screeners will not be administered before the tenth instructional day of the academic year and must have a testing window of at least 15 instructional days to ensure students have had sufficient instruction and fair access to testing. The bill also enhances the Department of Education's template for student reading plans to automatically include available student data from screeners, reduce redundant data entry, allow for standardized profiles for students with similar needs, and permit the creation of multiple plans at once when appropriate. Furthermore, the Department will now annually compile and report on educator feedback regarding literacy screeners and reading plan development, and before implementing significant changes to screeners or data systems, it must conduct an analysis of feasibility, system readiness, teacher workload, and training needs. The bill also mandates new requirements for division-wide literacy plans, including ensuring interoperability between local student information systems and state assessment platforms, and developing a plan to support teachers and reading specialists in implementing these literacy initiatives, which may involve using existing planning time, stipends, or additional staff, and providing a feedback portal for educators.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Continued to next session in Education (Voice Vote) (on 02/04/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB568 |
| Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB568) | https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1100913.PDF |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB568/text/HB568 |
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