HB 2777: Public schools; definitions, textbooks and other high-quality instructional materials. - Virginia

Governor Substitute → Chaptered · 2 edits

MINOR

This bill was enacted into law (Chapter 680) after being a Governor's substitute amendment. The substantive policy content remains largely unchanged from the substitute version, with the primary difference being the addition of official chaptering metadata, approval dates, and formatting consistent with Virginia Acts of Assembly.

TECHNICAL

Added official chaptering header (Chapter 680), approval date (May 2, 2025), and formatting consistent with enacted Virginia legislation.

Removed Governor substitute metadata including bill number (25108315D), patron names, and substitute amendment designation language.

Conference Substitute → Governor Substitute · 1 edit

MINOR

This document is a formatting diff between two versions of a legislative bill (HB 2777) showing changes from the House Substitute to the Governor Substitute. The substantive policy content remains identical, with only formatting, spacing, and minor header information changes (such as the bill number and proposed date). No actual policy, funding, or requirement changes occurred.

Scope change

No substantive scope change; the bill's applicability and requirements remain the same.

TECHNICAL

Formatting changes including spacing, line breaks, and header information (bill number changed from 25107730D to 25108315D, proposed date changed from February 21, 2025 to March 24, 2025, and patron information updated to include additional delegates).

Education and Health Substitute → Conference Substitute · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill changed from a Senate Substitute to a Conference Substitute, merging House and Senate versions. The scope expanded from a single directive to review textbook processes to a comprehensive amendment of multiple Code of Virginia sections covering public schools, textbooks, and instructional materials. Key substantive changes include updated definitions for terms like 'evidence-based literacy instruction' and 'science-based reading research,' which now explicitly exclude certain reading instruction methods like three-cueing, and the bill now formally amends and reenacts specific statutory sections rather than just directing a review.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from a standalone directive to review textbook processes to a comprehensive amendment of multiple Code of Virginia sections (22.1-1, 22.1-238, 22.1-239, 22.1-241, 22.1-242, 22.1-243, 22.1-253.13:1-6, and 23.1-902.1) relating to public schools, textbooks, and high-quality instructional materials.

SCOPE

Changed from a single directive to review textbook processes to a comprehensive amendment of multiple Code of Virginia sections covering public schools, textbooks, and instructional materials.

DEFINITION

Added detailed definitions for 'evidence-based literacy instruction' and 'science-based reading research' that explicitly exclude certain reading instruction methods like three-cueing, meaning/structure/visual cues, and visual memory for word recognition.

TIMELINE

Changed the reporting deadline from November 1, 2025 to align with the conference committee process, with the amendment now dated February 21, 2025.

TECHNICAL

Changed the bill type from Senate Substitute to Conference Substitute, indicating it has been reconciled between House and Senate versions with Delegate Rasoul as the sole patron.

Education and Health Subcommittee Substitute → Education and Health Substitute · 1 edit

MINOR

The bill text has been reformatted from a plain text version to a properly structured legislative document with official formatting, line numbers, and header information. The substantive policy content regarding the Department of Education's textbook review process remains unchanged.

TECHNICAL

Formatting and layout changes only; the legislative text, policy requirements, deadlines, and substantive provisions remain identical to the original version.

Education Substitute → Education and Health Subcommittee Substitute · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill was amended to shift from a House-only substitute to a joint House and Senate substitute, indicating it has passed both chambers and is ready for final consideration. The substantive policy content remains largely the same, focusing on textbook review processes, evidence-based literacy instruction, and educational standards, but the legislative metadata was updated to reflect Senate committee involvement and a revised date.

Scope change

The bill's substantive scope regarding education policy remains unchanged; only the legislative metadata (committee attribution and date) was modified to reflect Senate committee involvement.

TECHNICAL

The bill header was changed from 'HOUSE SUBSTITUTE' to 'HOUSE BILL NO. 2777' with Senate Committee on Education and Health attribution, indicating the bill has moved to the Senate stage.

Patron attribution was updated to reflect Senate involvement, changing from 'Delegates Rasoul, Coyner, and Convirs-Fowler' to 'Delegates Rasoul, Convirs-Fowler, and Coyner' with Senate committee designation.

Multiple blank lines and formatting markers were added, likely for legislative formatting requirements in the Senate version.

TIMELINE

The amendment date was updated from January 29, 2025 to February 13, 2025, reflecting the Senate committee's consideration date.

Enrolled → Education Substitute · 1 edit

MINOR

The bill text was reformatted from an 'Enrolled' version to a 'House Substitute' version, which primarily involves changes to the header, title page, and page numbering rather than substantive policy changes. The actual legislative content regarding textbooks, instructional materials, and educational standards remains unchanged.

TECHNICAL

The document header changed from 'Enrolled' to 'House Substitute' with updated page numbers and formatting adjustments.

Introduced → Enrolled · 8 edits · May 2, 2025

MODERATE

This bill amends Virginia education laws to strengthen requirements for evidence-based literacy instruction, textbook quality standards, and teacher professional development. It establishes clearer definitions for reading instruction methods, mandates specific decodability standards for early reading materials, and creates new requirements for teacher training in literacy and special education. The legislation also sets implementation deadlines for textbook adoption and professional learning resource vendor lists.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of educational requirements to include specific literacy instruction standards, textbook quality criteria, and teacher training mandates that apply across all Virginia public schools from kindergarten through grade 12.

DEFINITION

Added precise definitions for 'evidence-based literacy instruction' and 'science-based reading research' that explicitly exclude certain reading instruction methods like three-cueing and visual memory strategies.

REQUIREMENT

Modified textbook approval requirements to mandate minimum decodability standards for kindergarten and first grade reading materials, requiring students to be able to read at least 70% of words by attaching speech sounds to letters.

Added new requirements for teacher professional development in science-based reading research, evidence-based literacy instruction, dyslexia intervention, and inclusive instructional practices.

Added requirements for reading specialists to be trained in dyslexia identification and intervention, with specific training requirements for all reading specialists.

Added requirements for local school boards to develop and maintain divisionwide literacy plans aligned with evidence-based instruction practices.

Added requirements for education preparation programs at universities to include coursework demonstrating mastery in science-based reading research and evidence-based literacy instruction.

TIMELINE

Added implementation deadlines requiring the Department of Education to complete textbook review and approval processes by January 1, 2026-2029 for different subject areas.

FISCAL

Modified funding provisions to allow state funds for prevention, intervention, and remediation programs to be used for algebra readiness intervention services and early reading intervention.

Public schools; definitions, textbooks and other high-quality instructional materials.

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