It is our goal to motivate, inspire, and educate every child, every day by providing appropriate and comprehensive literacy instruction.
Our K-12 English Program includes communication and multimodal literacy, reading, writing and research standards that align with the English Standards of Learning.
ACPS uses a thematic approach to reading instruction. During each grading period, teachers have access to a variety of texts to support the development of skills outlined in the ACPS English Pacing Guides. These pacing guides provide guidance on how to incorporate skills from all four strands of the VDOE English Curriculum Framework.
During each thematic unit, students will read both fiction and nonfiction texts and have opportunities to respond to their reading through writing. ACPS uses McGraw Hill Open Court as the K-5 high quality instructional material. ACPS uses Holt Elements of Literature in grades 6-12.
Virginia is leading the nation by passing the Virginia Literacy Act (VLA), which aims to improve early literacy outcomes for Viriginia’s youngest learners. The VLA legislation requires all Virginia school divisions adopt and use an evidence-based literacy curriculum. The VLA was passed to improve literacy outcomes for all students across Virginia.
Students must be able to decode and comprehend complex texts - with sufficient fluency - to become proficient readers.
The ability to read with proficiency by the end of third grade serves as a valuable predictor of future academic success.
Every child will receive core literacy instruction from an evidence-based literacy curriculum daily. If a child does not meet literacy benchmarks, the child will also receive additional targeted instruction and intervention, as outlined in a student reading plan. Every child learns differently, so each Reading Plan will be tailored to the child’s specific literacy needs.
ACPS is excited to announce the adoption of the Open Court Reading Program, which VDOE has approved as High Quality Instructional Material. Open Court provides instruction in decoding, vocabulary, fluency and comprehension through the use of grade level content. This content also aligns to our 2024 VDOE English Standards of Learning. Each week, your student will have access to a variety of materials to develop reading proficiency. Open Court also has assessments that will help your child's teacher identify and target reading skills that may benefit from additional instruction.
As outlined in ACPS Board Policy IKC-R, students will receive at least two grades in reading per week - Mastery of Content and Measure of Progress. Your student's grades will give you insight on how your child is performing on grade level content. It is important to communicate with your student’s teacher to better understand grade level academic expectations, where your child is performing, and how you might support at home. Your child’s teacher will also be able to discuss additional available supports, should your child need them. Regular communication with your child’s teacher is important to support the academic success of your child.
Your child's school has created a daily schedule that includes a W.I.N. block. The W.I.N. (What I Need) block has been added in each grade (K-5) for both reading and math. During this time, students are provided with opportunities to receive intervention, remediation, or extension for identified skills. With the unique schedule in each school, this time of support also allows for additional supports for students, such as:
The VALLS assessment will be available K-8 to determine needs of all students. Students in grades K-3 will use the VALLS assessment data as a primary tool in determining if a student needs a reading plan. Additionally, students in Grades 4-8 will use VALLS and/or the VA Standards of Learning English/Reading SOL assessment to determine reading plan needs.
Student reading plans will be developed as a team which will include the family, educators, and specialists. A Student Reading Plan outlines the steps that will be taken to ensure your student receives targeted interventions to address any areas of weakness. The team will look at:
Pursuant to Code of Virginia §22.1-253.13:2(G) and ACPS Policy AF (Section X), Amherst County Public Schools employs individuals that serve as reading specialists and dyslexia advisors.
Reading Specialists are teachers specifically licensed with a reading specialist endorsement based on the criteria outlined by the Virginia Department of Education. Job Description/Responsibilities:
Current Reading Specialists:
Dyslexia Advisors are reading specialists that have training in the identification of and the appropriate interventions, accommodations, and teaching techniques for students with dyslexia or a related disorder and shall serve as an advisor on dyslexia and related disorders.
ACPS Dyslexia Advisors: