WIDA Screener
A suite of assessments that help identify English learners
WIDA Screener is the collective name for WIDA's suite of English language proficiency assessments given to new students in grades K–12 to help educators identify whether they are English learners. It is a flexible, on-demand assessment that can be administered at any time during the school year. WIDA Screener tests include
- WIDA Screener for Kindergarten
- WIDA Screener Online (grades 1-12)
- WIDA Screener Paper (grades 1-12)
- WIDA Alternate Screener (grades K-12)
Students in grades K-12 who have been identified as having the most significant cognitive disabilities typically use WIDA Alternate Screener.
Why WIDA Screener?
- It is anchored in the WIDA English Language Development Standards Framework
- It assesses the four language domains of Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing
- It is a flexible, on-demand assessment that can be administered at any time during the school year
- It is available in two formats – online (U.S. only) and paper (U.S. and international)
- It is available to WIDA Consortium member states, territories and federal agencies as a benefit of Consortium membership
- It is available (in paper format only) to independent/international schools for purchase
Benefits of WIDA Screener Results
Educators use WIDA Screener results, along with other evidence, to help determine whether a student is a candidate for English language support services. Proficiency level scores are interpretive scores and describe student performance in terms of the six WIDA English language proficiency levels.
Get to Know the WIDA Screener Assessments
WIDA Screener for Kindergarten
WIDA Screener for Kindergarten is an individually administered pencil-and-paper test that helps educators identify students as English learners. It is typically given to students one time when they enter your school or district in kindergarten or first grade.
- Features
- WIDA Screener for Kindergarten features an engaging story and activity-centered test experience.
- WIDA Screener for Kindergarten is a responsive test design that lets students stop when they reach the extent of their current language skills.
- WIDA Consortium members can download and print test materials from the WIDA Secure Portal.
- WIDA Consortium members and independent/international schools may purchase professionally printed test materials from the WIDA Store.
- Scores
A trained test administrator scores the test. To become a trained test administrator, educators must complete the WIDA Screener for Kindergarten training course, and pass the appropriate quizzes. After testing, anyone can enter scores in the WIDA Screener for Kindergarten Score Calculator to generate a score report for the student. Score reports include the same kinds of proficiency level scores as those reported for WIDA Screener Online and WIDA Screener Paper (grades 1-12).
WIDA Screener Online
WIDA Screener Online is an English language proficiency assessment given to new students in grades 1–12 to help educators identify whether they are English learners. It is available for free to WIDA Consortium members.
- Features
- The online test platform routes students to easier or more challenging content based on their performance.
- The online format promotes increased student engagement.
- Built-in accessibility and accommodation features support individual students' needs.
- Screener Online can be administered to groups of students in various grades at the same time.
- Scores
The WIDA Screener Online test platform automatically scores the Listening and Reading domains during administration. A trained local rater scores the Speaking and Writing domains. To become a trained rater and score responses, you must complete the Speaking and/or Writing training course for the relevant grade clusters and pass the appropriate quizzes.
WIDA Screener Paper
WIDA Screener Paper is an English language proficiency assessment given to new students in grades 1–12 to help educators identify whether they are English learners. It is available for purchase in the WIDA Store to WIDA Consortium members and independent/international schools.
- Features
- WIDA Consortium members can download and print consumable test materials from the WIDA Secure Portal.
- Screener Paper is available for students with little or no prior experience with computers.
- Students complete an entry task with Speaking and Writing tasks to determine whether they will continue with the full assessment or a shorter assessment designed to address the needs of newcomer students.
- Scores
Screener Paper is scored locally by trained raters. The Speaking domain is scored by the test administrator during the test. To become a trained rater and score responses, you must complete the Speaking and/or Writing training course for the relevant grade clusters and pass the appropriate quizzes.
WIDA Alternate Screener
WIDA Alternate Screener is a pencil-and-paper English language proficiency assessment that is individually administered to new students with the most significant cognitive disabilities in grades K–12. It helps educators identify whether students are English learners. It is available for free to WIDA Consortium members.
- Features
- WIDA Alternate Screener is a short assessment that is designed to be appropriate for students who would be likely to take alternate content assessments.
- WIDA Consortium members download and print test materials from the WIDA Secure Portal.
- Test resources include guidance on how to modify the test materials and the test administration to meet an individual student’s needs.
- Scores
A trained, local test administrator gives and scores the test. After testing, educators can enter scores in the WIDA Alternate Screener Score Calculator to generate score reports for students.
Preparing for and Administering WIDA Screener
Important! Refer to your member/state page for information on when and how to use WIDA Screener in your state.
WIDA tip: The relevant Test Administrator Manual is the single best place to find everything you need to know about administering WIDA assessments. Download and print manuals to have them handy as you prepare for and administer assessments.
Preparing for Testing
Determine if WIDA Screener or WIDA Alternate Screener is the appropriate assessment for the student.
If you think WIDA Alternate Screener may be appropriate, follow the Preparing for and Administering WIDA Alternate Screener steps on the WIDA Alternate Screener webpage.
Complete assessment training and review manuals.
- For WIDA Screener for Kindergarten, educators must complete the WIDA Screener for Kindergarten: Administration and Scoring training course and review the WIDA Screener for Kindergarten Test Administrator Manual before giving the test.
- For WIDA Screener Online, educators must complete the WIDA Screener Online administration and scoring training courses and review the WIDA Screener Online Test Administrator Manual before giving the test.
- For WIDA Screener Paper, educators must complete the WIDA Screener Paper administration and scoring training courses and review the WIDA Screener Paper Test Administrator Manual before giving the test.
If you will be scoring student responses on WIDA Screener Online or WIDA Screener Paper, you must also complete the relevant Speaking and Writing scoring training courses.
Note: Find all assessment training courses and resources in the WIDA Secure Portal.
Share information about the test with families.
Scroll down to the Resources to Share with Families section on this page to download and print the What is WIDA Screener? handout.
Prepare test materials.
Determine what materials can be downloaded from the WIDA Secure Portal and what materials must be purchased from the WIDA Store. If you're administering WIDA Screener Online, make sure you have the right technology available for students to take the assessment. Plan and collaborate with technology coordinators and explore the resources for technology coordinators.
Schedule testing.
Follow the instructions in the Test Administrator Manual to schedule testing.
- Some tests allow you to test in groups of students, while other tests must be administered individually or with a mix of group and individual administration.
- Estimate how much time it will take to administer the test, based on your student groups and test formats.
- Coordinate with school staff as necessary to find appropriate testing dates, times, and spaces.
Administering and Scoring the Assessment
Administer the assessment.
Always follow the Test Administrator Script to administer the assessment.
- For WIDA Screener for Kindergarten, make sure you have plenty of space in a quiet room that is free of distractions.
- For WIDA Screener Online, make sure to print test tickets for students in advance, and be prepared to assist students with the technology.
- For WIDA Screener Paper, make sure to test the Listening and Speaking test audio and have your audio device ready to go.
Score student responses.
Some WIDA Screener assessment domains are scored during the assessment by the test administrator or test platform. Other domains are scored after the test is complete.
- For WIDA Screener Online, scoring is completed in the WIDA Assessment Management System (WIDA AMS) and a report generated.
- For WIDA Screener Paper and WIDA Screener for Kindergarten, score points are entered into a score calculator, where proficiency levels are calculated and a report is generated.
Using WIDA Screener Scores
WIDA Screener score reports provide proficiency level scores in the four domains (Listening, Reading, Speaking, Writing) and three composite areas (Oral Language, Literacy, Overall). Refer to the WIDA Screener Interpretive Guide for Score Reports to learn more about scores.
WIDA Screener is intended to be used as one element in the decision-making process of identifying a student as an English learner. This decision should ideally be supported by additional evidence:
- Educational records from previous schooling
- Recommendations from previous teachers
- The student’s home language survey (or any of the recommended or required criteria as determined by your state or district)
The specific WIDA Screener scores used in identification decisions are determined by your state.
Resources to Share with Families
Help families of students learn what to expect with WIDA Screener by sharing the What is WIDA Screener? handout. The handout includes a section for families to take notes and ask questions about English language services.
The handout is translated into the 16 most popular languages in the WIDA Consortium.
Find other family handouts on the Resources/Recursos page.
Find other supports and tools on the Family Engagement page.