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🧪 WIDA TESTING January 7- March 7
🧪 WIDA TESTING January 7- March 7
WIDA:
Our WIDA testing window is quickly approaching. I will begin pulling students from your classes on January 7 and continue until the window closes on March 7. We have approximately 670ish students to test. I will need everybody’s support and understanding during this time.
Here are a few things to consider regarding WIDA testing:
ML Student Perspective: Most of our, if not all, ML students HATE taking the WIDA. They don’t understand why they are taking it, and they have many emotions against the fact that they have to take it. ML students are embarrassed they are being pulled from class, and they dread all aspects of WIDA testing. Some of our ML students are teased by other students as they are being pulled from class, which makes the experience all that much more dreadful.
What can we do to help with this problem?
- Change your perspective and attitude towards WIDA testing to a more positive and supportive role.
Remain positive, excited and supportive as these students are being pulled from your class. Stop any teasing or WIDA negativity from others.
Engage with your students and ask how they did on the WIDA next class and stay positive.
Cheer your students on as they are leaving to take the WIDA. Let them know you believe in them.
ML students who pass the WIDA will receive the Seal of Biliteracy at the end of the year. This is a certificate that represents the student’s achievement of being able to read, write, speak and understand two languages. For the student, this can translate into higher paying jobs. Plus, there will be a celebration party at the end of the year for those who pass.
There is no opting out of WIDA testing. It is a Federally mandated test. Remember, you are obligated to not mention anything regarding opting out. This goes across the board with all tests. Please let the students know if they have concerns, they can talk to me about it.
Special Note: All ML students being pulled for WIDA will be escorted by me, Admin or one of my team members from the district.
Be mindful that this is a Federally mandated test and with the number of students I have to test, it makes it very difficult to work around your schedule as I know it will be difficult to work around mine. I understand that pulling a student from your class while in the middle of a quiz, test, notes, etc. may not be desired, but please remember I have a short window of time to test 670ish students and sending students later or asking us to come back later is not an option. Be ready for some of your students to make up for what they missed due to WIDA testing. We cannot punish them for missing class time, tests, quizzes, notes, etc. due to a Federally mandated test.
All students pulled for WIDA will be excused from classes they missed only during the times they are actually in my room testing. I will be taking care of that on my end by communicating with attendance to excuse students. FYI, I keep a detailed log of every student I test, the time they entered my room, took lunch, back to test and left for the day.
Every WIDA student will be given a ticket back to class with a time stamp. You should be asking for that ticket when they return to class. If a student does not have a ticket, feel free to message or email me about it. Any questions or concerns regarding anything, just let me know.
Why do ML students have to take the WIDA test?
One or more family members speak another language. We need to make sure our students are being taken care of and enrolled in the proper classes
How can a student pass the WIDA?
- By doing their absolute best! Take notes to help when answering questions.
Speaking portion: take notes and answer as if the student is the teacher teaching what they just learned. Talk loudly and proudly and as much as possible.
Writing portion: take notes and write in paragraphs as if in an English class writing an essay. Make it meaty. The more writing the better.
When will the student know if they passed the WIDA test?
- Scores will be ready in May and the student should be able to see them in their Focus account under Testing History/Scores.
Please let me know if you need anything else regarding WIDA.
Future Testing:
PSAT 9 & 10 (March 11, 12, 18, 19)
ACT - March 25 w/makeups March 26 - April 3.
Thank you all for your support. We got this!
Judy Balser
Testing Coordinator
Cyprus High School
(385) 646-6224
WIDA (World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment) is a federally mandated test our ML students take yearly that lets us know their proficiency in the English Language in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Every student who is marked as an ML MUST take this test, they cannot opt-out. We have about 600 ML students at Cyprus. Students are identified as ML students when they are registered for school. Their parents/guardians indicate that they speak a language other than English at home.
Students spend a minimum of 90 minutes working on academic-based questions for each section of WIDA. This means they are being tested on their academic English language skills in contents like science, history, and math.
Students struggle most with the speaking portion of the test, so if you are able to give them the opportunity to record themselves speaking about a topic in your content area, that could help them feel more comfortable using the microphone when it is time to test.
Their performance counts for 13 points in Utah's School Accountability System. The percentage of total points possible earned by a school is used to 1) reflect overall school performance, 2) designate the lowest performing Title I schools for support and improvement, and 3) target school improvement based on the consistently underperforming student groups within a school. Often, these students also provide additional points towards a higher score through growth as they are able to be more successful as their English improves.
Federal Guidance
Federal Guidance
Updated Federal Guidance: Ensuring English Learner Students Can Participate Meaningfully and Equally in Educational Programs
“The U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) have issued joint guidance to remind state education agencies (SEAs), public school districts, and public schools of their legal obligation to ensure that EL students can participate meaningfully and equally in educational programs.”
Providing Language Assistance to EL Students
EL students are entitled to appropriate language assistance services to become proficient in English and to participate equally in the standard instructional program within a reasonable period of time.
Providing Meaningful Access to All Curricular and Extracurricular Programs
EL students must have access to their grade-level curricula so that they can meet promotion and graduation requirements.
EL students are entitled to an equal opportunity to participate in ALL programs, including pre-kindergarten, magnet, gifted and talented, career and technical education, arts, and athletics programs; Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses; clubs; and honor societies.
Avoiding Unnecessary Segregation of EL Students
School districts generally may not segregate students on the basis of national origin or EL status. Although certain EL programs may be designed to require that EL students receive separate instruction for a limited portion of the day or period of time, school districts and states are expected to carry out their chosen program in the least segregative manner consistent with achieving the program’s stated educational goals.
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