WIDA News June 2019

Introducing the WIDA School Improvement System

Developed in collaboration with WIDA leaders, content experts, and the research team behind the Comprehensive Assessment of Leadership for Learning (CALL), the WIDA School Improvement System (WIDA SIS) is a school-wide assessment and feedback system that measures key instructional leadership practices that enhance instruction for English learners. Rather than focusing on specific individuals, WIDA SIS uses a comprehensive survey to assess core leadership practices that are distributed across the school. Upon completion of the survey, school and district leaders receive immediate targeted data and feedback designed to support school improvement and decisions about professional growth essential for the instruction of ELLs.

Learn more and schedule a live demo of the WIDA School Improvement System

Meet Bilingual Resource Teacher Brenda Hamel from Wisconsin

Brenda Hamel is a second generation teacher taking after her mother. Her own experiences of moving to Chile at age 12 shaped her interest in language learning. Brenda says, "I have found fostering language learning and academic success to be very rewarding. I love learning about and embracing the student’s rich cultural backgrounds and sharing that with the school community."

Read the complete Featured Educator Article

Register Now for Upcoming WIDA Workshops

Join us for one of the many upcoming WIDA Workshops. 

• Differentiation for Linguistically Diverse Students (1-day)
  • New Brunswick, NJ | June 25, 2019
• Introduction to WIDA Standards (1-day)
  • Madison, WI | July 15, 2019
• WIDA Español Differentiation for Multilingual Learners (1-day)
  • Madison, WI | July 17, 2019
• WIDA Español Pedagogía con respeto: Using WIDA Standards and Tools to Support Multilingual Students (1-day)
  • Madison, WI | August 6, 2019
• Interpreting ACCESS for ELLs Score Reports for Instruction (1-day)
  • Madison, WI | August 12, 2019
• Differentiation for Linguistically Diverse Students ( 2-day)
  • Madison, WI | August 13-14, 2019
• Purposeful Lesson Planning for Language Learners (2-day)
  • Platteville, WI | August 13-14, 2019
• Introduction to WIDA Standards (1-day)
  • Baltimore, MD | August 13, 2019
• Interpreting ACCESS for ELLs Score Reports for Instruction (1-day)
  • Baltimore, MD | August 14, 2019
• Educator Collaboration to Support Multilingual Learners (2-day)
  • Platteville, WI | October 9-10, 2019
• Formative Language Assessment (2-day)
  • Baltimore, MD | October 22-23, 2019

Learn more about WIDA workshops

WIDA Annual Conference Summer Saver Rate

Did you miss the deadline to register for the 2019 WIDA Annual Conference at the Early-Bird rate? Don't worry, if you sign up now you can still save on your registration fee! Register now at the Summer Saver rate and save $100 off the standard rate.

For more information about the WIDA Annual Conference, view the conference brochure or visit the conference website.

New WIDA Early Years Member States

WIDA is excited to welcome Maryland, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania as WIDA Early Years Member States!

Beginning earlier this year, WIDA Early Years rolled out a membership program to help state education agencies provide resources and support to their early care and education workforce that serve young multilingual children and families. Statewide benefits include a discount in the WIDA Store on Early Years products for English and Spanish language development, creation or update of a state-specific Connection Document, and access to online learning modules.

A new offering for state leaders is the Membership Networking. WIDA Early Years membership provides state leaders networking opportunities via virtual and in-person meetings for WIDA Early Years Member States. These three Member States are also offering a variety of professional development opportunities and resources, as well as participating in the Parent Research Program.

Find out more about WIDA Early Years

WIDA Spring Cleaning Reminder

Remember to clean up your WIDA Secure Portal account so you're ready to go in the 2019-2020 school year.

New email logins! When educators log in to the WIDA Secure Portal, they will now be prompted to update their username to their work e-mail address. At the same time, take this opportunity to make sure you're receiving e-mails from help@wida.us and info@wida.us so you don't miss important news, announcements, or account information.

Did you know that you can update your own account information on the WIDA Secure Portal? Just log in, and then go to the grey My Account Info box on the right-hand side of your screen. You can update your Email Address, District, School, and Position Title.

What if I've forgotten my password? No problem! Enter your e-mail address in our Password Reset page to have a link sent to your inbox. Still need assistance? Contact the WIDA Client Services Center at (866) 276-7735 or e-mail help@wida.us.

Why do I need a Secure Portal account? Users with a WIDA Secure Portal account have access to WIDA assessment training courses and test materials, state-specific webinars, and the new WIDA eLearning platform. Check out your member/state page to find out how you can get a Secure Portal account!

Frequently Answered Question of the Month

Q: Does WIDA have any resources that will strengthen my school’s family engagement practices for multilingual families?

A: Yes! While you may find yourself making a “To Do” for next Fall, why not spend some time thinking about how to strengthen family engagement and build relationships with families of multilingual children now. WIDA supports language-focused family engagement, an approach that recognizes the importance of families and educators working together to support the language learning and development of multilingual children and youth. On the Family Engagement section of the website, WIDA has a number of resources that will strengthen your school’s family engagement practices.

These resources include:

• Family Engagement Focus Bulletins: a series of focus bulletins that initiate reflection at the local school level and strengthen family engagement practices with families of multilingual children.
• ABCs of Family Engagement: a guide that presents the ABCs of how to strengthening family engagement practices and building relationships with families of multilingual children.
• The “My Child is an ELL Video Series”(in English / en español): a six-part video series that engages parents in two-way communication in topics surrounding how to support multilingual children in the classroom and beyond.