WIDA Alternate Screener Is Coming in 2025-26

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WIDA Alternate Screener is a brand-new, paper-based English language proficiency assessment given to new students with the most significant cognitive disabilities in grades K–12. It helps educators identify if students are English learners. WIDA Alternate Screener will be available to the WIDA Consortium in July 2025.

WIDA Alternate Screener assesses each of the four language domains (Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing) and is anchored in the WIDA ELD Standards Framework, 2020 Edition.

WIDA Alternate Screener Features
  • Can be administered at any time during the school year
  • Local, trained raters administer and score the test
  • Takes no more than 30 minutes total testing time (testing times will vary based upon student needs)
  • Reports proficiency level scores for each language domain and for three composite scores: Oral Language, Literacy and Overall
WIDA Alternate Screener Materials
  • Tell Us About Your Child Survey (optional)
  • Test administrator training course
  • Test Administrator Manual
  • Test Booklet (grade clusters K-2, 3-5 and 6-12)
  • Test Administrator Script (grade clusters K-2, 3-5 and 6-12)
  • Score sheet

When it’s released, you can download and print test materials in the WIDA Secure Portal.

Project Timeline

2024

July

WIDA Alternate ACCESS Standard Setting Study event takes place.

August

Recruitment opens for the WIDA Alternate Screener Validation Study.

Alternate ACCESS proficiency level cut scores set at the standard setting study event are approved. This information supports the creation of WIDA Alternate Screener scoring tables.

September

Recruitment closes for the WIDA Alternate Screener Validation Study.

October-November

Select sites participate in the WIDA Alternate Screener Validation Study.

2025

January-April

WIDA analyzes the validation study data.

April-June

WIDA finalizes WIDA Alternate Screener materials.

July

WIDA Alternate Screener is available for use across the WIDA Consortium.