WIDA News May 2020

Educator Resources on WIDA COVID-19 Webpage

The WIDA COVID-19 webpage has been updated with a resources section. Resource topics include tips for parents and families, educator connection and collaboration, WIDA staff recommended resources, and mental health and staying well.

Meet ESL Teacher Barbara Smith from Missouri

Learn about the all-encompassing drive and passion that May Featured Educator, Barbara Smith, brings to her classroom of ELL students. Barbara teaches ELL students in grades K-5 at an elementary school in Waynesville, Missouri. This educator with 19 years of teaching experience shares how she's found.

Read the full article.

Complete a nomination form to honor an exceptional colleague.

Call for WIDA Fellows Nominations

WIDA announces a call for nominations for the second class of WIDA Fellows. In establishing these fellowships, WIDA formally acknowledges the invaluable role of exemplary teachers of bilingual and multilingual learners in advancing the field in collaboration with professional development and research partners. All nominees must be exemplary teachers of bilingual and/or multicultural learners.

To nominate an educator, complete the WIDA Fellows Nomination form by May 29, 2020.

No self-nominations, please.

Recognition for the ELD Standards Advisory Panel

WIDA recently achieved another major milestone in developing the WIDA English Language Development Standards, 2020 Edition by collecting input from a panel of recognized researchers and teacher educators in the fields of linguistics and multilingual learner education. We are grateful to all who shared their ideas to enhance the quality of this forthcoming resource to promote equity and teach language and content together. Learn more on the WIDA 2020 Vision for Standards page.

WIDA ELD Standards, 2020 Edition Researcher/Teacher Educator Advisory Panel

• Kathryn Wolf Accurso, Ph.D., University of British Columbia, Vancouver
• Zenaida Aguirre-Munoz, Ph.D., University of Houston
• Luciana C. de Oliveira, Ph.D., Virginia Commonwealth University
• Zhihui Fang, Ph.D., University of Florida
• Meg Gebhard, Ph.D., University of Massachusetts, Amherst
• Okhee Lee, Ph.D., New York University
• Christine Montecillo Leider, Ph.D., Boston University
• Lorena Llosa, Ph.D., New York University
• Trish Morita-Mullaney, Ph.D., Purdue University Christopher
• J. Rivera, Ph.D, East Carolina University
• Kathy Swan, Ph.D., University of Kentucky
• Russell Swinburne Romine, Ph.D., ATLAS, University of Kansas
• Wayne E. Wright, Ph.D., Purdue University
• Jeff Zwiers, Ed.D., Stanford Graduate School of Education

Thank you for your valuable contributions!

University Students’ Experiences in Spanish Heritage Language Programs in the Midwest

Learn about older students' experiences in Spanish heritage language (SHL) programs in a new article in Dimension, a publication of the Southern Conference on Language Teaching. The article features WIDA Project Assistant Jason Kemp.

The study investigates the experiences of college students enrolled in SHL courses in the Midwest. Findings suggested a disconnect between the self-reported, sociolinguistic needs of students and the curriculum presented in their SHL classes.

Five Tips for Virtual Planning from International Educators

Co-authored by Jon Nordmeyer, WIDA International Program director, the article "Teacher Collaboration During a Global Pandemic" shares five takeaways from international schools around the world that have been teaching and learning virtually for several months. Read the full article in Educational Leadership.

WIDA MODEL Online: New Test Content is Coming!

We want to say thank you again to all who participated in WIDA MODEL Online field testing. You asked us to update test content and your participation in the field test allows WIDA to unveil new WIDA MODEL Online content in August. WIDA MODEL licenses purchased today lock in automatic access to the new test items as they become available.

For those of you who are new to WIDA MODEL Online, please contact the WIDA Store to learn about free trial subscriptions or to ask questions about WIDA MODEL implementation.

Note: WIDA MODEL Online cannot be administered remotely.