Dear Fellow Advocates,
Last year we fought hard to help pass the Virginia Literacy Act, a landmark bill that will provide high-quality, evidence-based early education programs and interventions for grades K-3. It’s a great victory for Virginia’s kids and their future.
But what about older kids who are struggling right now? Many of the children who have experienced two years of unprecedented disruption caused by COVID – on top of all the other learning challenges – are in desperate need of help.
A new proposed bill – House Bill 1526, sponsored by Delegate Carrie Coyner, along with its companion, Senate Bill 1175, sponsored by Senator Louise Lucas – would extend the Virginia Literacy Act through 8th grade. It will help struggling students get back on track, providing teachers with the tools they need to support them.
Our schools are in the midst of a reading crisis. In the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) testing, Virginia’s fourth-graders performed below the national average for the first time in 30 years – the largest drop in performance in the country! It’s imperative that we do more to make sure our students can read to grade level, and these bills are designed to do just that.
Everyone here at E3VA is fully onboard to advocate for the passage and funding of these crucial bills. Please encourage everyone you know to reach out to their delegates and senators and ask them to pass, and fully fund, HB 1526 and SB 1175 to expand the Virginia Literacy Act through eighth grade.
Let’s continue pushing for a better future without forgetting about the students who are struggling now!
Lisa
President & CEO
E3: Elevate Early Education & The New E3 School