Virginia Literacy Act Expansion: Implications for Middle Schools

Authors

Candace Bechtold, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityFollow
Joan A. Rhodes, Virginia Commonwealth UniverFollow
Valerie J. Robnolt, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityFollow
David B. Naff, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityFollow
Kendall Hunt, Henrico County Public SchoolsFollow
Jan Collins, Hanover County Public SchoolsFollow

Document Type

Article

Original Publication Date

2025

Date of Submission

October 2025

Abstract

This MERC research and policy review focuses on expansion of the Virginia Literacy Act (VLA) to include support for middle school students across the Commonwealth. It explores three questions:

1. What were trends in middle school literacy prior to the VLA expansion?
2. What state policies exist for middle school literacy achievement?
3. What does research say about literacy intervention at the middle school level?

It concludes with a series of key takeaways and recommendations for middle school literacy policy and practice.

Recommended Citation

Bechtold, C., Rhodes, J., Robnolt, V., Naff, D., Hunt, K., & Collins, J. (2025). Virginia Literacy Act Expansion: Implications for Middle Schools, Richmond, VA: Metropolitan Educational Research Consortium.

Is Part Of

VCU MERC Publications