WIDA
Annual English Proficiency Test WIDA is the acronym for “World-class Instructional Design and Assessment." WIDA is a consortium of states dedicated to the design and implementation of high standards and equitable educational opportunities for English language learners. |
MAPS uses the following WIDA Assessments
- Kindergarten W-APT
- WIDA model for kindergarten
- ACCESS for ELLs or Alternate ACCESS for ELLs
- WIDA Screener (for grades 1-12) to identify English learners (ELs)
- WIDA Can Do Descriptors
Kindergarten W-APT
The Kindergarten W-APT is administered to K, and first semester 1st grade students. It is organized as a single, individually-administered test with a combined Speaking/Listening component. The Reading and Writing tests make up a separate test which is optional, and only for students with some literacy skills.The Kindergarten W-APT is not able to assign scores across the full range of WIDA ELP levels 1-6. Instead, scores for Speaking and Listening are marked as showing low, mid, high, or exceptional proficiency.
For more information about the Kindergarten W-APT visit the WIDA Website.
Features
W-APT test items are written from the model performance indicators of WIDA's five English Language Proficiency (ELP) standards:
- Social & Instructional Language
- Language of Language Arts
- Language of Mathematics
- Language of Science
- Language of Social Studies
The W-APT is designed to be used as:
- One of several criteria to determine eligibility for language support services
- An indicator of a student's language proficiency level (1 through 6) on the WIDA continuum
- An aid for determining appropriate levels and amounts of instructional services
- A guide for tier placement on the ACCESS for ELLs annual assessment
WIDA model for kindergarten
WIDA MODEL for Kindergarten is an academic English language proficiency assessment. As a flexible, on-demand language proficiency assessment, this test can be administered at any time during the school year, depending on the needs of the district, school, teacher or student.
Features
Kindergarten MODEL provides opportunities for students to demonstrate their proficiency in each of the four language domains of Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing. The test is divided into two sections: narrative and expository.
Each section assesses all four language domains, depending on students’ language development:
Narrative Section (Parts A – C)
- Part A: Listening and Speaking
- Part B: Writing
- Part C: Reading
Expository Section (Parts D – F)
- Part D: Listening and Speaking
- Part E: Writing
- Part F: Reading
Each part is divided into five levels, with tasks designed to assess language at that specific proficiency level.
Kindergarten MODEL is an individually administered, adaptive assessment designed to take an average of 30 minutes or less per student. Students are presented only with questions that the Test Administrator, based on the student’s response to questions in the previous level, has a reasonable expectation that the student will be able to understand and respond to
ACCESS for ELLs or Alternate ACCESS for ELLs
Every EL student takes the yearly English Language Proficiency Test called ACCESS. ACCESS for English Learners (Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State-to-State for English Learners) is a secure large-scale English language proficiency assessment given to Kindergarten through 12th graders who have been identified as English Learners (ELs). It is given annually in WIDA Consortium member states to monitor students' progress in acquiring academic English.
Test scores determine English progress or attainment. Such information is used by Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) to determine annual measurable achievement objectives (AMAO) for English Learner students and Annual Yearly Progress (AYP) in English progress or attainment. Parents are notified yearly of continuing services and test results. English Learner students whose parents refuse English Learner services are also tested yearly, even though they do not receive services. Copies of the waiver to refuse English Learner services are kept in the student’s files until graduation or age 21.
Each form of the test assesses the four language domains of Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing.
Within each grade-level cluster (except Kindergarten), ACCESS for English Learners consists of three forms: Tier A (beginning), Tier B (intermediate), and Tier C (advanced). This keeps the test shorter and more appropriately targets each student’s range of language skills.
Features
ACCESS for English Learners test items are written from the model performance indicators of WIDA's five English Language Proficiency (English Learner Proficiency) standards:
- Social & Instructional Language
- Language of Language Arts
- Language of Mathematics
- Language of Science
- Language of Social Studies
Test forms are divided into five grade-level clusters:
- Kindergarten
- Grades 1-2
- Grades 3-5
- Grades 6-8
- Grades 9-12
WIDA Screener (for grades 1-12) to identify English learners (ELs)
W-APT stands for the WIDA-ACCESS Placement Test. It is an English language proficiency "screener" test given to incoming students who may be designated as English language learners. The WIDA W-APT placement test is used when a student is new to the district and there is no data available from the previous school. This assessment is one component of WIDA's comprehensive assessment system. Students who score from 1 to 5 on W-APT qualify for EL services. Those who score above five are not eligible to receive English Learner services.
Each form of the test assesses the four language domains of Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing. The W-APT is designed to be individually administered and adaptive, meaning that parts of the test may be discontinued as soon as the student reaches his or her performance "ceiling."
Features
W-APT test items are written from the model performance indicators of WIDA's five English Language Proficiency (ELP) standards:
- Social & Instructional Language
- Language of Language Arts
- Language of Mathematics
- Language of Science
- Language of Social Studies
Test forms are divided into five grade-level clusters:
- Kindergarten
- Grades 1-2
- Grades 3-5
- Grades 6-8
- Grades 9-12
WIDA Can Do Descriptors
The CAN DO Descriptors are a sampling of the language expectations of English language learners as they travel along the continuum of English language development. They are a starting point for determining what students can do in each language domain (Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing).
The CAN DO Descriptors expand the Performance Definitions for the English Learner Proficiency standards by giving suggested indicators (not a definitive set) in each language domain: listening, speaking, reading and writing. More targeted than the Performance Definitions, the Descriptors have greater instructional implications; that is, the information may be used to plan differentiated lessons or unit plans. The Descriptors may also apply to ACCESS for English Learners® scores and may assist teachers and administrators in interpreting the meaning of the score reports. In addition, the Descriptors may help explain the
Speaking and Writing Rubrics associated with the English Learner Proficiency test. A distinguishing feature of these Descriptors, although not explicitly mentioned, is the presence of sensory, graphic or interactive support, through English Learner Proficiency level 4, to facilitate English Learners’ access to content in order to succeed in school.
The CAN DO Descriptors offer teachers and administrators working with English Learners a range of expectations for student performance within a designated English Learner Proficiency level of the WIDA English Learner Proficiency Standards. The Descriptors are not instructional or assessment strategies, per se. They are exemplars of what English Learners may do to demonstrate comprehension in listening and reading as well as production in speaking and writing within a school setting.