🏀March Madness FINALS: Fudge Covered vs. Lemon

WIDA TESTING

🧪 WIDA TESTING January 12- March 5

WIDA is finally here, and I would like to share with you a few changes and expectations during WIDA testing from January 12 - March 5.

We have nearly 786 ML students who will be testing for WIDA this year. That's 200 more than last year.
Testing begins on Monday, January 12th.
Testing will be Monday thru Thursday only (please, do not tell the students this info)
Students will be pulled during first period only (please, do not tell the students this info)
If a student is called out of your class, the student must go. This is a federally mandated test.
WIDA students will be pulled out of class and escorted by the Admin team or Attendance Trackers.
If your student is in the middle of a test/quiz - allow them to complete it later if you can.
Please allow students to make up class work, homework, quizzes, and tests in your classroom. Be lenient.
WIDA students need to be encouraged. They hate this test. Please keep comments positive and give lots of support. Cheer them on.
No negative nannies from other students. Stop this behavior quickly.
If a student tells you they want to take the WIDA and they were not called down, please do not send them to me. Some students will tell you they need to test as an excuse to get out of class.
On The Way: I always write an On The Way note for students who are returning to class. This year, I will also be using the On The Way link to ensure you are aware the student is indeed on the way.
Students who test in my room are excused for only the time they are testing. The attendance spreadsheet is shared with Cheyanne who will excuse students for the time they are WIDA testing.
This year, I will share the attendance sheet with all teachers so, if you are curious, you may check to see if your students are testing or not. If the student is not in your room, mark them absent. Cheyanne will correct it at the end of the day.
Be Aware that some students who are late to your class or absent will tell you they were WIDA testing to get it excused. You may check the attendance spreadsheet I will share with you, or you are welcome to email or message me. I keep detailed notes on the spreadsheet regarding students who are testing in my room.

My objective is to pull students during first period only (again, mums the word) and have them complete the test in one day. That way I am not pulling the same students over and over day after day.

Encourage students to DO THEIR BEST on the WIDA TEST. We want them to pass it. We want them to never have to take this test again. After passing the WIDA, we want them to be able to earn the Seal of Biliteracy = speak fluent in English and earn higher paying jobs. We want to celebrate them passing the WIDA at the end of the year PARTY and give them the certificates they earned. WE ARE PROUD OF THEM!

I will be testing in the testing center 1401 (not the alumni room).

If you have any questions or need clarification on anything, please let me know.

Thank you all for everything you do. I appreciate you more than you know.

Judy Balser

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

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.

Page updated

Report abuse