English Language Proficiency (ELP) Screening 

South Carolina has been a member of the WIDA Consortium since 2014 and has access to a suite of English Language Proficiency (ELP) assessments to determine ML status. Each tool is designed to assist in identifying students who may benefit from language services. The MLPS will use an approved ELP assessment to determine an ML’s English language fluency as required. Screening and placement in the MLP, if applicable, is crucial to ensure academic success.  Failure to refer students to MLPS for English Proficiency screening within the first 30 days or within 14 days of later enrollments is a federal violation. See AW calculation matrix for specific guidance regarding ML initial assessment timeline as it pertains to enrollment dates. 

English Language Proficiency Screening of Newly Enrolled Students

Potential ML identification requires ELP screening. If the student is a first-time SC school enrollee, the student is screened for potential identification using an initial screener as approved by the SCDE.

English Language Proficiency Screening of Transfer Students from WIDA States

When a student transfers into the district from another WIDA district or state, school personnel will check the official records to determine identification/placement status and any services the student may have received. If the approved documentation shows that the student received services within the past year, place the student in the program according to their most recent score results.

In some cases, a student from another WIDA district or state may have documentation of services from an identification/placement assessment that is not an approved WIDA assessment. Therefore, the school/district will need to screen the student using the appropriate South Carolina WIDA identification assessment to place the student in those cases correctly.

If there is documentation from an approved WIDA state supporting that the student is not eligible for services (ie. the most recent ELP assessment scores that meet SC exit criteria, exit letter, non-qualifying screener, etc.), the district will accept those scores.  Should a student have met exit criteria on a WIDA assessment in their state that is a lower or different criteria than SC exit criteria, we will accept that result. 

English Language Proficiency Screening of Transfer Students from non-WIDA States

When a student transfers into the district from a non-WIDA consortium district or state, and the original HLS indicates a language other than English, this student must participate in identification screening to determine their ML status. CCSD does not accept not-eligible identification scores from non-WIDA states. CCSD will accept scores that met exit criteria, but only on their state’s English Proficiency Assessment and not the screener.   If a school has questions or is unsure of proper screening procedures, especially student transfers, please contact the MLP Director for assistance. 

3- and 4- year-old Preschool Program Identification and Screening

3- and 4- year-old preschool program students with a language other than English present on the HLS do not participate in ELP identification screening until they transition to kindergarten or above. See the South Carolina English Proficiency Codes Matrix for Multilingual Learners (MLs) for how to code 3- and 4-year olds in PowerSchool. 

WIDA Training Modules and Certification

These identification screening assessments may only be administered by certified personnel who have completed the required WIDA training modules and certification requirements. All training modules are found in the WIDA Secure Portal under each user’s account. Certification is an annual requirement for any test administrator (TA) administering the assessments. For example, if a Bilingual TA completes the relevant modules and certification with a required score of 80% or higher on July 9, 2022, the certification will be active for one calendar year, expiring July 9, 2023. Training and certification will need to be completed each year after.