Literacy Resources for Families
Your Guide to Supporting Reading Success at Home
We believe families are key to developing literacy. This page has resources to help you encourage literacy at home. It also has information to help you partner with your student's teacher and school staff in supporting your student's literacy progress in reading and writing.
Literacy Instruction in FCPS
The way students learn to read and write in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is based on Virginia's English Standards of Learning (SOL) and the Virginia Literacy Act (VLA) . The SOL and VLA describe the expectations for student learning, assessment, and achievement in grades K-12.
Virginia Language and Literacy Screening System (VALLSS)
The Virginia Language and Literacy Screening System (VALLSS) is a tool used to assess reading skills for kindergarten through eighth-grade students in Virginia. It includes both code-based and language skills. Students need strong skills in both of these components for literacy.
PK through Grade 2
VALLSS is required for all students three times per year (fall, winter, and spring). Students with an individualized education program (IEP) that exempts the test do not participate. PreK VALLSS testing applies to students who are 3 years and older.
Grade 3
VALLSS is required in the fall for any student
- Who scored in the moderate or high risk range on the Grade 2 Spring VALLSS
- New to Virginia public schools.
Grades 4 through 8
VALLSS serves as a targeted reading assessment in the fall and winter for students who may be struggling. VALLSS is required for any student who
- Took and failed the Standards of Learning (SOL) Reading test from the previous spring.
- Received a read‑aloud or audio accommodation during that SOL test.
Schools may also test additional students to get more information to support reading growth. Families may choose to opt-in to VALLSS by contacting their student’s teacher.
Resources with Additional Information
These resources are from the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE).
Kindergarten through Grade 3
Grades 4 through 8
Student Reading Plans
The Virginia Literacy Act requires any student needing extra instruction in a specific skill area(s) to have a reading plan. Families are invited to provide input on their child's reading plan. Reading plans will include:
- An area of need
- Learning gap
- Intervention
- Goal
- Information about progress
Kindergarten through Grade 3
Families will receive VALLSS results letters with areas to be addressed by extra support, if applicable.
Based on the VALLSS results, students in the “high risk” category will have trouble learning to read and write without extra help. These students will get a Reading Plan with goals based on skill areas identified by the VALLSS assessment. They will get extra support (2.5 hours each week) to develop skills in these areas.
Grades 4 through 8
Students in grades 4-8 take the SOL assessment. The SOL results determine IF students will receive a reading plan, and the VALLSS results determine WHAT additional support is needed.
Students will receive a reading plan if they meet any of the following criteria:
- They failed the previous year's Reading SOL test.
- They passed the previous year's Reading SOL using a read-aloud accommodation and scored "well-below" on any part of the VALLSS 4-8 assessment.
- They are a new student to Virginia (with no SOL score) and their overall iReady score is well below grade level.
For students who are given a reading plan, the specific lessons and support they receive are based on the results from the VALLSS 4-8 assessment.
Where Can I Find My Student's Reading Plan?
Parent Participation
Parents of students receiving a reading plan will be invited to participate in the development of the plan. This is an opportunity to ask questions, share your ideas, and express any concerns with your child’s teacher. Your child’s teacher may talk to you about:
- Your child’s literacy skills.
- How the school will support your child’s literacy progress.
- Literacy activities you can do at home.
Resources for Families
Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) Resources
- Literacy Resources for Families and Communities
- Family Literacy Webinars
- VDOE Family Supports for Reading
Virginia Literacy Partnership (VLP) Resources
Family Academy
Explore more ways families can learn and get support for their child's school journey through the FCPS Family Academy.
