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New! All students taking WIDA ACCESS Online and WIDA Screener Online will select the Play button on each screen to begin playing audio. The audio will no longer play automatically.
ACCESSIBILITY UPDATES
Modified use of color on test items for better contrast and avoid using color alone to convey meaning
Replaced Listening and Reading items that use drag-and-drop response methods
Speaking domains have a new user interface for the microphone check and the recording buttons
ASSESSMENT ACCOMMODATIONS
New Accommodation: Assistive Technology (AT): The Assistive Technology (AT) accommodation allows students with hearing, visual, cognitive or physical disabilities to use specific external devices or third-party software to access and interact with test content
New Accommodation: Speech-to-Text (STT): Speech-to-text is third-party software that uses voice recognition to convert speech into written text in applications and text boxes
Updated Accommodation: Manual Control of Item Audio (MC): The Manual Control of Item Audio (MC) accommodation will only be applicable to WIDA ACCESS Paper and WIDA Screener Paper starting in the 2026-2027 school year
Click here to learn more about this year's updates from WIDA
What is the Online WIDA Screener?
What is the Online WIDA Screener?
The WIDA Screener Online is an English language proficiency assessment used by schools to identify students who may qualify for English language development services. It is designed for students in second semester 1st -12th grade students who are new to a school or are being considered for identification for English language development services.
The test measures students’ abilities in the four language domains: Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing. The online format allows students to complete the assessment using a computer or tablet, with some sections including audio and recorded speaking responses.
WIDA Screener Online provides teachers and schools with information to make informed decisions about language support and placement for multilingual learners. It is one tool used alongside other information, such as classroom performance and teacher observations, to support students’ academic success. Click here to learn more.
IMPORTANT: any staff administering the Kindergarten or WIDA Screeners must certify annually through the WIDA Secure Portal after August 1 of the current school year. In order to score or generate student score reports, WIDA Screener test administrators must hold the appropriate WIDA Screener certification and have a current teaching certification. Aspiring, Adjunct, or Apprentice teachers are not eligible to score WIDA Screeners or generate student score reports. Any student who is screened by staff not meeting the appropriate qualifications must be screened again.
Requirements and timelines to correctly identify students and administer WIDA Screener
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