Virginia 2024 Regular Session Status: Enacted

HB 647 — Public education; student literacy measures.

Last action — Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0044)

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed House of Delegates
  4. ✓
    Passed Senate
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 09, 2024. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Glenn Youngkin (Republican) on March 08, 2024.

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 72% · moderate confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 2 sponsors

    1 primary, 1 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 6 recorded votes so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Summary

Public education; student literacy measures. Clarifies several provisions of the Virginia Literacy Act (the Act), enacted during the 2022 Regular Session of the General Assembly and effective with the 2024-2025 school year, including (i) clarifying that the term "evidence-based literacy instruction" does not include practices that instruct students to gain meaning from print through the use of (a) three-cueing, which includes semantic, syntactic, and graphophonic cues; (b) meaning, structure, and visual cues; or (c) visual memory for word recognition; (ii) removing the option to use a literacy screener approved by the Department of Education for certain purposes enumerated in the Act; (iii) requiring the Department to develop a list of core literacy curricula for students in kindergarten through grade five and supplemental instruction practices and programs and intervention programs for students in kindergarten through grade eight that consist of evidence-based literacy instruction aligned with science-based reading research; and (iv) requiring each divisionwide literacy plan to address how the local school board will align (a) core reading and literacy curriculum for students in kindergarten through grade five and (b) screening, supplemental instruction, and interventions for students in kindergarten through grade eight with evidence-based literacy instruction practices aligned with science-based reading research. This bill is identical to SB 624.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

412 added · 392 removed

Plain-language change summary

The recent amendment to Bill HB 647 introduces a clearer definition of "evidence-based literacy instruction" in the Code of Virginia. The revised text emphasizes that these instructional practices must rely on valid research and be adaptable to meet the diverse needs of students. This change is important as it aims to enhance reading competency in students by promoting effective teaching strategies backed by scientific evidence. Ultimately, it supports efforts to improve literacy rates and learning outcomes in Virginia's public schools.

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SESSION ENROLLED VIRGINIA ACTS OF ASSEMBLY –– CHAPTER E An Act to amend and reenact §§ 22.1-1, 22.1-253.13:1, and 22.1-253.13:6, as they shall become N effective, of the Code of Virginia, relating to public education;
VIRGINIA ACTS OF ASSEMBLY -- 2024 SESSION CHAPTER 44 An Act to amend and reenact §§ 22.1-1, 22.1-253.13:1, and 22.1-253.13:6, as they shall become effective, of the Code of Virginia, relating to public education;
student literacy measures.R O [H 647] Approved L L Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
student literacy measures.
[H 647] Approved March 8, 2024 Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
That §§ 22.1-1, 22.1-253.13:1, and 22.1-253.13:6, as they shall become effective, of the CodE of Virginia are amended and reenacted as follows:
That §§ 22.1-1, 22.1-253.13:1, and 22.1-253.13:6, as they shall become effective, of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted as follows:
D As used in this title, unless the context requires a different meaning:nitions.
§ 22.1-1.
(For effective date, see Acts 2022, cc.
549, 550, cl.
2) Definitions.
As used in this title, unless the context requires a different meaning:
"Division superintendent" means the division superintendent of schools of a school division.
division superintendent of schools of a school division.
H "Evidence-based literacy instruction" means structured instructional practices, including se6uential, evidence consistent with science-based reading research;
"Evidence-based literacy instruction" means structured instructional practices, including sequential, systematic, explicit, and cumulative teaching, that (i) are based on reliable, trustworthy, and valid evidence consistent with science-based reading research;
(ii) meaning, structure, and"Governing body" or "local governing body" means the board of supervisors of a county, council of a city, or council of a town, responsible for appropriating funds for such locality, as the context may require.
(ii) meaning, structure, and visual cues;
or (iii) visual memory for word recognition.
"Governing body" or "local governing body" means the board of supervisors of a county, council of a city, or council of a town, responsible for appropriating funds for such locality, as the context may require.
"Person of school age" means a person who will have reached his fifth birthday on or before the school year.the school year and who has not reached twenty years of age on or before August 1 of "School board" means the school board that governs a school division.
"Person of school age" means a person who will have reached his fifth birthday on or before September 30 of the school year and who has not reached twenty years of age on or before August 1 of the school year.
"School board" means the school board that governs a school division.
"Superintendent" means the Superintendent of Public Instruction.
(iii) quality instruction that America;
(iii) quality instruction that enables each student to become a productive and educated citizen of Virginia and the United States of America;
In keeping with this goal, the Generalf Assembly shall provide for the support of public education as set forth in Article VIII, § 1 of the of 7 Constitution of Virginia.
In keeping with this goal, the General Assembly shall provide for the support of public education as set forth in Article VIII, § 1 of the Constitution of Virginia.
The Board shall establish educational objectives known as the Standards of Learning, which shall form the core of Virginia's educational program, and other educational objectives, which together are designed to ensure the development of the skills that are necessary for success in school and for preparation for life in the years beyond.
The Board shall establish educational objectives known as the Standards of Learning, which shall of 7 form the core of Virginia's educational program, and other educational objectives, which together are designed to ensure the development of the skills that are necessary for success in school and for preparation for life in the years beyond.
Any school board may require (a) such courses in career investigation of 7 at the high school level as it deems appropriate, subject to Board approval as required in subsection A of § 22.1-253.13:4, and (b) such courses in career investigation at the elementary school levelEas it deems appropriate.
Any school board may require (a) such courses in career investigation at the high school level as it deems appropriate, subject to Board approval as required in subsection A of § 22.1-253.13:4, and (b) such courses in career investigation at the elementary school level as it deems appropriate.
In developing such resoRrce materials, the Board shall consult with representatives of career and technical education, industry, skilled traC.
In developing such resource of 7 materials, the Board shall consult with representatives of career and technical education, industry, skilled trade associations, chambers of commerce or similar organizations, and contractor organizations.
Local school boards shall develop and implement a program of instruction for grades K through 12 that is aligned to the Standards of Learning and meets or exceeds the requirements of the Board.
C.
The program of instruction shall emphasize reading, writing, speaking, mathematical concepts and computations, proficiency in the use of computers and related technology, computer science and L computational thinking, including computer coding, and scientific concepts and processes;
Local school boards shall develop and implement a program of instruction for grades K through that is aligned to the Standards of Learning and meets or exceeds the requirements of the Board.
essenEial skills and concepts of citizenship, including knowledge of Virginia history and world and United States history, economics, government, foreign languages, international cultures, health and physical education, environmental issues, and geography necessary for responsible participation in American society and in the international community;
The program of instruction shall emphasize reading, writing, speaking, mathematical concepts and computations, proficiency in the use of computers and related technology, computer science and computational thinking, including computer coding, and scientific concepts and processes;
fine arts, which may include, but need not be limited to, music and art, training in a career or technical field;
essential skills and concepts of citizenship, including knowledge of Virginia history and world and United States history, economics, government, foreign languages, international cultures, health and physical education, environmental issues, and geography necessary for responsible participation in American society and in the international community;
fine arts, which may include, but need not be limited to, music and art, and practical arts;
knowledge and skills needed to qualify for further education, gainful employment, or training in a career or technical field;
Local school boards shall also develop and implement programs of prevention, intervention, or remediation for students who are educationally at risk including, but not limited to, those whoHfail to achieve a passing score on any Standards of Learning assessment in grades three through eight or who fail an end-of-course test required for the award of a verified unit of credit.
Local school boards shall also develop and implement programs of prevention, intervention, or remediation for students who are educationally at risk including, but not limited to, those who fail to achieve a passing score on any Standards of Learning assessment in grades three through eight or who fail an end-of-course test required for the award of a verified unit of credit.
Such programs s4all include components that are research-based.
Such programs shall include components that are research-based.
E Any student who achieves a passing score on one or more, but not all, of the Standards of Learning assessments for the relevant grade level in grades three through eight may be required to attend a remediation program.
Any student who achieves a passing score on one or more, but not all, of the Standards of Learning assessments for the relevant grade level in grades three through eight may be required to attend a remediation program.
the relevant grade level in grades three through eight or who fails an end-of-course test required for the award of a verified unit of credit shall be required to attend a remediation program or to participate in another form of remediation.
Any student who fails to achieve a passing score on all of the Standards of Learning assessments for the relevant grade level in grades three through eight or who fails an end-of-course test required for the award of a verified unit of credit shall be required to attend a remediation program or to participate in another form of remediation.
Such programs may also include summer school for all elementary and middle school grades and for all high school academic school remediation programs or other forms of remediation shall be chosen by the divisionn.
Such programs may also include summer school for all elementary and middle school grades and for all high school academic courses, as defined by regulations promulgated by the Board, or other forms of remediation.
Summer superintendent to be appropriate to the academic needs of the student.
Summer school remediation programs or other forms of remediation shall be chosen by the division superintendent to be appropriate to the academic needs of the student.
The costs of such private school remediation program or other speThe Board shall establish standards for full funding of summer remedial programs that shall include, but not be limited to, the minimum number of instructional hours or the equivalent thereof required for full funding and an assessment system designed to evaluate program effectiveness.
The costs of such private school remediation program or other special remediation program shall be borne by the student's parent.
The Board shall establish standards for full funding of summer remedial programs that shall include, but not be limited to, the minimum number of instructional hours or the equivalent thereof required for full funding and an assessment system designed to evaluate program effectiveness.
students who earn a high school diploma and to prevent students from dropping out of school.
2.
Suchof programs shall include components that are research-based.
Programs based on prevention, intervention, or remediation designed to increase the number of students who earn a high school diploma and to prevent students from dropping out of school.
of 7 3.
Such programs shall include components that are research-based.
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3.
Career guidance shall include counseling about available employment opportunities and placement services for students exiting school.
Career guidance shall include counseling about available employment of 7 opportunities and placement services for students exiting school.
Local school of 7 divisions shall report the results of the diagnostic tests to the Department on an annual basis, at a time to be determined by the Superintendent.
Local school divisions shall report the results of the diagnostic tests to the Department on an annual basis, at a time to be determined by the Superintendent.
Each student who receives algebra readiness interventioE services will be assessed again at the end of that school year.
Each student who receives algebra readiness intervention services will be assessed again at the end of that school year.
R 14.
14.
Incorporation of art, music, and physical education as a part of the instructional program at the ele15.
Incorporation of art, music, and physical education as a part of the instructional program at the elementary school level.
15.
Such program may include any combination of (i)L physical education classes, (ii) extracurricular athletics, (iii) recess, or (iv) other programE and physical activities deemed appropriate by the local school board.
Such program may include any combination of (i) of 7 physical education classes, (ii) extracurricular athletics, (iii) recess, or (iv) other programs and physical activities deemed appropriate by the local school board.
Any physical education class offered to students in grades seven and eight shall include at least one hour of personal safety training per school year in each such grade level that is developed and delivered in partnership with the local law-enforcement agency and consists of 16.
Any physical education class offered to students in grades seven and eight shall include at least one hour of personal safety training per school year in each such grade level that is developed and delivered in partnership with the local law-enforcement agency and consists of situational safety awareness training and social media education.
16.
H 18.
18.
Government course on all B information and concepts contained in the civics portion of the U.S.
Government course on all information and concepts contained in the civics portion of the U.S.
4 E.
E.
From such funds as may be appropriated or otherwise received for such purpose, there shalE be established within the Department a unit to (i) conduct evaluative studies;
From such funds as may be appropriated or otherwise received for such purpose, there shall be established within the Department a unit to (i) conduct evaluative studies;
and (iii) assist school divisions in implementing those programs and practices that will enhance pupil academic identify and analyze effective instructional programs and practices and professional development initiatives;
and (iii) assist school divisions in implementing those programs and practices that will enhance pupil academic performance and improve family and community involvement in the public schools.
Such unit shall identify and analyze effective instructional programs and practices and professional development initiatives;
certification, or license attainment, hereinafter referred to as College and Career Access Pathways, Partnerships (Partnerships), with comprehensive community colleges or other public institutions of higher education or educational institutions established pursuant to Title 23.1 that offer a career and technical education curriculum.
F.
Each local school board may enter into agreements for postsecondary course credit, credential, certification, or license attainment, hereinafter referred to as College and Career Access Pathways Partnerships (Partnerships), with comprehensive community colleges or other public institutions of higher education or educational institutions established pursuant to Title 23.1 that offer a career and technical education curriculum.
and (iii) specify available options for students to participate in pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs at comprehensive community colleges concurrent with the pursuit of a high school diploma and receive college credit and high school creG.
and (iii) specify available options for students to participate in pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs at comprehensive community colleges concurrent with the pursuit of a high school diploma and receive college credit and high school credit for successful completion of any such program.
G.
Such reading intervention services shall consist of evidence-based literacy instruction, align with science-based reading research, and be documented for each student in a written student reading plan, consistent with the requirements in subdivision 2 and the list developed by the Department pur2.
Such reading intervention services shall consist of evidence-based literacy instruction, align with science-based reading research, and be documented for each student in a written student reading plan, consistent with the requirements in subdivision 2 and the list developed by the Department pursuant to subdivision H 2.
A reading specialist, in collaboration with the teacher of any student who receives reading intervention services pursuant to subdivision 1, shall develop, oversee implementation of, and monitor of 7 student progress on a student reading plan.
2.
A reading specialist, in collaboration with the teacher of any student who receives reading intervention services pursuant to subdivision 1, shall develop, oversee implementation of, and monitor student progress on a student reading plan.
instruction from a reading specialist, trained aide, computer-based reading tutorial program, or classroom teacher with support from an aide, extended instructional time in the school day or school year, or, for students in grades six through eight, a literacy course, in addition to the course required by the Standards of Learning in English, that provides the specific evidence-based literacy instruction identified in the student's reading plan.
instruction from a reading specialist, trained aide, computer-based reading tutorial program, or classroom teacher with support from an aide, extended instructional time in the school day or school year, or, for students in of 7 grades six through eight, a literacy course, in addition to the course required by the Standards of Learning in English, that provides the specific evidence-based literacy instruction identified in the student's reading plan.
Each local school board shall review the plan biennially and adopt any necessary of 7 revisions.
Each local school board shall review the plan biennially and adopt any necessary revisions.
Prior to the adoption of any divisionwide comprehensive plan or revisions thereto, each local school board shall post such plan or revisions on the division's Internet website if practicablE, and, in any case, shall make a hard copy of the plan or revisions available for public inspection and copying and shall conduct at least one public hearing to solicit public comment on the divisionwide plan or revThe divisionwide comprehensive plan shall include, but shall not be limited to, (i) the objectives of the school division, including strategies for first improving student achievement, particularlyOthe achievement of educationally at-risk students, then maintaining high levels of student achievement;
Prior to the adoption of any divisionwide comprehensive plan or revisions thereto, each local school board shall post such plan or revisions on the division's Internet website if practicable, and, in any case, shall make a hard copy of the plan or revisions available for public inspection and copying and shall conduct at least one public hearing to solicit public comment on the divisionwide plan or revisions.
The divisionwide comprehensive plan shall include, but shall not be limited to, (i) the objectives of the school division, including strategies for first improving student achievement, particularly the achievement of educationally at-risk students, then maintaining high levels of student achievement;
(iv) a plan for projecting and managing enrollment changes including consideration of Lhe consolidation of schools to provide for a more comprehensive and effective delivery of instructional services to students and economies in school operations;
(iv) a plan for projecting and managing enrollment changes including consideration of the consolidation of schools to provide for a more comprehensive and effective delivery of instructional services to students and economies in school operations;
(v) an evaluation of the appropriateneEs of establishing regional programs and services in cooperation with neighboring school divisions;
(v) an evaluation of the appropriateness of establishing regional programs and services in cooperation with neighboring school divisions;
(Di) a plan designed to integrate educational technology into the instructional programs of the school division, including the school division's career and technical education programs, consistent with, or as a part of, the comprehensive technology plan for Virginia adopted by the Board;
(vi) a plan for implementing such regional programs and services when appropriate;
(viii) an assessment of the needs of the school division and evidence of community participation, including parental participation, in the development of the plan;
(vii) a technology plan designed to integrate educational technology into the instructional programs of the school division, including the school division's career and technical education programs, consistent with, or as a part of, the comprehensive technology plan for Virginia adopted by the Board;
(viii) an assessment of the needs of 7 of the school division and evidence of community participation, including parental participation, in the development of the plan;
H The divisionwide comprehensive plan shall also include a divisionwide literacy plan for 6 Department shall develop a template for such plans.
The divisionwide comprehensive plan shall also include a divisionwide literacy plan for pre-kindergarten through grade eight.
Each divisionwide literacy plan shall follow suchhe template and address how the local school board will align (i) (a) literacy professional development, (ii);
The Board shall issue guidance on the contents of such plans.
The Department shall develop a template for such plans.
Each divisionwide literacy plan shall follow such template and address how the local school board will align (i) (a) literacy professional development, (ii);
When developing such divisionwide literacy plan, each local school board shall use programs from the lists developed by the Department pursuant to subsection C of § 22.1-253.13:5 and subdivision H 2 of evidence-based literacy instruction and align with science-based reading research.
When developing such divisionwide literacy plan, each local school board shall use programs from the lists developed by the Department pursuant to subsection C of § 22.1-253.13:5 and subdivision H 2 of § 22.1-253.13:1 or seek approval from the Department for the use of alternative programs that consist of evidence-based literacy instruction and align with science-based reading research.
Each sucht consist of divisionwide literacy plan shall be submitted to the Department and shall identify which core literacy curricula, supplemental instructional practices and programs, and intervention programs from the list developed by the Department pursuant to subdivision H 2 of § 22.1-253.13:1 or alternative programs approved by the Department that consist of evidence-based literacy instruction and align with science-based reading research will be used in each grade level, kindergarten through 12, at each of the schools within such school division.
Each such divisionwide literacy plan shall be submitted to the Department and shall identify which core literacy curricula, supplemental instructional practices and programs, and intervention programs from the list developed by the Department pursuant to subdivision H 2 of § 22.1-253.13:1 or alternative programs approved by the Department that consist of evidence-based literacy instruction and align with science-based reading research will be used in each grade level, kindergarten through 12, at each of the schools within such school division.
Each local school board shall post, maintain, and update as necessary on such school board's website a copy of its divisionwide literacy plan and the job description subsection G of § 22.1-253.13:2 and for any dyslexia specialist employed by such school division.
Each local school board shall post, maintain, and update as necessary on such school board's website a copy of its divisionwide literacy plan and the job description and contact information for any reading specialist employed by such school division pursuant to subsection G of § 22.1-253.13:2 and for any dyslexia specialist employed by such school division.
The Board shall, in a timely manner, make available to local school boards information about the Attorney General of Virginia may be located online.nd revisions, and copies of relevant Opinions of
The Board shall, in a timely manner, make available to local school boards information about where current Virginia school laws, Board regulations and revisions, and copies of relevant Opinions of the Attorney General of Virginia may be located online.
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Action History

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0044)

  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 44 (effective 7/1/24)

  3. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., March 8, 2024

  4. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 1, 2024

  5. Signed by President

  6. Signed by Speaker

  7. Impact statement from DPB (HB647ER)

  8. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB647ER)

  9. Enrolled

  10. Passed Senate (39-Y 0-N)

  11. Read third time

  12. Constitutional reading dispensed (38-Y 0-N)

  13. Reported from Education and Health (13-Y 0-N)

  14. Impact statement from DPB (HB647)

  15. Referred to Committee on Education and Health

  16. Constitutional reading dispensed

  17. VOTE: Block Vote Passage (100-Y 0-N)

  18. Read third time and passed House BLOCK VOTE (100-Y 0-N)

  19. Read second time and engrossed

  20. Read first time

  21. Reported from Education (21-Y 0-N)

  22. Subcommittee recommends reporting (8-Y 0-N)

  23. Assigned Education sub: K-12 Subcommittee

  24. Referred to Committee on Education

  25. Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/10/24 24100696D

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 1 co-sponsors · 146 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (1)

Not signed on (146)

146 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 146 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Passed Senate (39-Y 0-N)

Passed 39 Yea · 0 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 39001
Total 39001
% of votes cast 98%0%0%3%
How each member voted (40)
Member Party Vote
Aaron R. Rouse — Yea
Angelia Williams Graves — Yea
Barbara A. Favola — Yea
Bill DeSteph — Yea
Bryce E. Reeves — Yea
Carroll Foy, Jennifer D. — Yea
Christie New Craig — Yea
Christopher T. Head — Yea
Danica A. Roem — Yea
David R. Suetterlein — Yea
David W. Marsden — Yea
Ebbin, Adam P. — Yea
Emily M. Jordan — Yea
Glen H. Sturtevant, Jr. — Yea
Hashmi, Ghazala F. — Yea
J.D. "Danny" Diggs — Yea
Jennifer B. Boysko — Yea
Jeremy S. McPike — Yea
L. Louise Lucas — Yea
Lamont Bagby — Yea
Lashrecse D. Aird — Yea
Mamie E. Locke — Yea
Mark D. Obenshain — Yea
Mark J. Peake — Yea
McGuire, John J., III — Yea
R. Creigh Deeds — Yea
Richard H. Stuart — Not Voting
Russet Perry — Yea
Ryan T. McDougle — Yea
Saddam Azlan Salim — Yea
Schuyler T. VanValkenburg — Yea
Scott A. Surovell — Yea
Stella G. Pekarsky — Yea
Subramanyam, Suhas — Yea
T. Travis Hackworth — Yea
Tammy Brankley Mulchi — Yea
Tara A. Durant — Yea
Timmy French — Yea
Todd E. Pillion — Yea
William M. Stanley, Jr. — Yea

Official roll call →

Constitutional reading dispensed (38-Y 0-N)

Passed 38 Yea · 0 Nay · 2 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 38002
Total 38002
% of votes cast 95%0%0%5%
How each member voted (40)
Member Party Vote
Aaron R. Rouse — Yea
Angelia Williams Graves — Yea
Barbara A. Favola — Yea
Bill DeSteph — Yea
Bryce E. Reeves — Yea
Carroll Foy, Jennifer D. — Yea
Christie New Craig — Yea
Christopher T. Head — Yea
Danica A. Roem — Yea
David R. Suetterlein — Yea
David W. Marsden — Yea
Ebbin, Adam P. — Yea
Emily M. Jordan — Yea
Glen H. Sturtevant, Jr. — Yea
Hashmi, Ghazala F. — Not Voting
J.D. "Danny" Diggs — Yea
Jennifer B. Boysko — Yea
Jeremy S. McPike — Yea
L. Louise Lucas — Yea
Lamont Bagby — Yea
Lashrecse D. Aird — Yea
Mamie E. Locke — Yea
Mark D. Obenshain — Yea
Mark J. Peake — Yea
McGuire, John J., III — Yea
R. Creigh Deeds — Yea
Richard H. Stuart — Yea
Russet Perry — Yea
Ryan T. McDougle — Yea
Saddam Azlan Salim — Yea
Schuyler T. VanValkenburg — Yea
Scott A. Surovell — Yea
Stella G. Pekarsky — Yea
Subramanyam, Suhas — Yea
T. Travis Hackworth — Yea
Tammy Brankley Mulchi — Yea
Tara A. Durant — Yea
Timmy French — Not Voting
Todd E. Pillion — Yea
William M. Stanley, Jr. — Yea

Official roll call →

Reported from Education and Health (13-Y 0-N)

Passed 13 Yea · 0 Nay · 2 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 13002
Total 13002
% of votes cast 87%0%0%13%
How each member voted (15)
Member Party Vote
Barbara A. Favola — Not Voting
Christie New Craig — Yea
Christopher T. Head — Yea
David R. Suetterlein — Yea
Hashmi, Ghazala F. — Yea
Jennifer B. Boysko — Not Voting
L. Louise Lucas — Yea
Lamont Bagby — Yea
Lashrecse D. Aird — Yea
Mamie E. Locke — Yea
Mark J. Peake — Yea
Schuyler T. VanValkenburg — Yea
Stella G. Pekarsky — Yea
Tara A. Durant — Yea
Todd E. Pillion — Yea

Official roll call →

VOTE: Block Vote Passage (100-Y 0-N)

Passed 99 Yea · 0 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 99000
Total 99000
% of votes cast 100%0%0%0%
How each member voted (99)
Member Party Vote
Adele Y. McClure — Yea
Alex Q. Askew — Yea
Alfonso H. Lopez — Yea
Amy J. Laufer — Yea
Anne Ferrell Tata — Yea
Arnold, Jonathan, E. P. — Yea
Atoosa R. Reaser — Yea
Batten, Amanda E. — Yea
Betsy B. Carr — Yea
Bill Wiley — Yea
Bonita G. Anthony — Yea
Briana D. Sewell — Yea
Bulova, David L. — Yea
C.E. Cliff Hayes, Jr. — Yea
Charniele L. Herring — Yea
Chris S. Runion — Yea
Convirs-Fowler, Kelly K. — Yea
Cordoza, A.C. — Yea
Coyner, Carrie E. — Yea
Dan I. Helmer — Yea
David A. Reid — Yea
Debra D. Gardner — Yea
Delores L. McQuinn — Yea
Delores Oates — Yea
Earley, Mark L., Jr. — Yea
Elizabeth B. Bennett-Parker — Yea
Ellen H. McLaughlin — Yea
Ennis, N. Baxter — Yea
Eric Phillips — Yea
Eric R. Zehr — Yea
Fowler, Hyland F."Buddy," Jr. — Yea
Freitas, Nicholas J. — Yea
Gilbert, C. Todd — Yea
Green, W. Chad — Yea
H. Otto Wachsmann, Jr. — Yea
Higgins, Geary — Yea
Holly M. Seibold — Yea
Irene Shin — Yea
Israel D. O'Quinn — Yea
Jackie H. Glass — Yea
James A. "Jay" Leftwich — Yea
James W. Morefield — Yea
Jason S. Ballard — Yea
Jeion A. Ward — Yea
Joseph P. McNamara — Yea
Joshua E. Thomas — Yea
Joshua G. Cole — Yea
Kannan Srinivasan — Yea
Karen Keys-Gamarra — Yea
Karrie K. Delaney — Yea
Kathy K.L. Tran — Yea
Katrina Callsen — Yea
Kent, Hillary Pugh — Yea
Knight, Barry D. — Yea
Laura Jane Cohen — Yea
LeVere Bolling, Destiny — Yea
Lovejoy, Ian T. — Yea
Luke E. Torian — Yea
M. Keith Hodges — Yea
Maldonado, Michelle Lopes — Yea
Marcia S. "Cia" Price — Yea
Marcus B. Simon — Yea
Marshall, Daniel W., III — Yea
Marty Martinez — Yea
Michael B. Feggans — Yea
Michael J. Jones — Yea
Michael J. Webert — Yea
Mike A. Cherry — Yea
Milde, Paul V. — Yea
Mundon King, Candi — Yea
Nadarius E. Clark — Yea
Obenshain, Chris — Yea
Orrock, Robert D., Sr. — Yea
Owen, David — Yea
Patrick A. Hope — Yea
Paul E. Krizek — Yea
Phil M. Hernandez — Yea
Phillip A. Scott — Yea
R. Lee Ware — Yea
Rae Cousins — Yea
Richard C. "Rip" Sullivan, Jr. — Yea
Robert S. Bloxom, Jr. — Yea
Rodney T. Willett — Yea
Rozia A. Henson, Jr. — Yea
Sam Rasoul — Yea
Scott A. Wyatt — Yea
Shelly A. Simonds — Yea
Sickles, Mark D. — Yea
Taylor, Kim A. — Yea
Terry G. Kilgore — Yea
Terry L. Austin — Yea
Thomas A. Garrett, Jr. — Yea
Thomas C. Wright, Jr. — Yea
Timothy P. Griffin — Yea
Tony O. Wilt — Yea
Vivian E. Watts — Yea
Wendell S. Walker — Yea
Will Davis — Yea
Wren M. Williams — Yea

Official roll call →

Reported from Education (21-Y 0-N)

Passed 21 Yea · 0 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 21001
Total 21001
% of votes cast 95%0%0%5%
How each member voted (22)
Member Party Vote
Alex Q. Askew — Yea
Amy J. Laufer — Yea
Anne Ferrell Tata — Yea
Atoosa R. Reaser — Not Voting
Batten, Amanda E. — Yea
Briana D. Sewell — Yea
Convirs-Fowler, Kelly K. — Yea
Coyner, Carrie E. — Yea
Delores L. McQuinn — Yea
Ennis, N. Baxter — Yea
Eric R. Zehr — Yea
Freitas, Nicholas J. — Yea
Green, W. Chad — Yea
Laura Jane Cohen — Yea
LeVere Bolling, Destiny — Yea
Mike A. Cherry — Yea
Nadarius E. Clark — Yea
Phillip A. Scott — Yea
Rae Cousins — Yea
Sam Rasoul — Yea
Shelly A. Simonds — Yea
Thomas A. Garrett, Jr. — Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

education
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Frequently asked questions

What does HB 647 do?
Public education; student literacy measures. Clarifies several provisions of the Virginia Literacy Act (the Act), enacted during the 2022 Regular Session of the General Assembly and effective with the 2024-2025 school year, including (i) clarifying that the term "evidence-based literacy instruction" does not include practices that instruct students to gain meaning from print through the use of (a) three-cueing, which includes semantic, syntactic, and graphophonic cues; (b) meaning, structure, and visual cues; or (c) visual memory for word recognition; (ii) removing the option to use a literacy screener approved by the Department of Education for certain purposes enumerated in the Act; (iii) requiring the Department to develop a list of core literacy curricula for students in kindergarten through grade five and supplemental instruction practices and programs and intervention programs for students in kindergarten through grade eight that consist of evidence-based literacy instruction aligned with science-based reading research; and (iv) requiring each divisionwide literacy plan to address how the local school board will align (a) core reading and literacy curriculum for students in kindergarten through grade five and (b) screening, supplemental instruction, and interventions for students in kindergarten through grade eight with evidence-based literacy instruction practices aligned with science-based reading research. This bill is identical to SB 624.
Who sponsors HB 647?
HB 647 is sponsored by Lovejoy, Ian T. and Coyner, Carrie E..
What is the current status of HB 647?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 09, 2024. Enacted.
Where can I track HB 647?
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