WIDA Screener for Kindergarten
WIDA Screener for Kindergarten is an individually administered paper-and-pencil test that helps educators identify students as English learners (ELs). It is typically given to students one time when they enter your school or district as they start Kindergarten or first grade.
Features
- Engaging story and activity-centered test experience.
- Responsive test design that lets students stop when they reach the extent of their current language skills.
- Local scoring of student responses means score reports can be generated immediately after testing.
- Effective identification tool when used as either a two-domain (Listening and Speaking) or four-domain (Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing) test. Visit your member/state page for details on your screening policies and guidance on test administration.
Preparing for and Administering WIDA Screener for Kindergarten
WIDA Consortium Members
Log in to the WIDA Secure Portal to access the training course, the Test Administrator Manual, and to download and print all test materials.
If you are a first-time test administrator or district test coordinator, please visit your member/state page for state-specific instructions on how to get your WIDA Secure Portal account set up.
If you are a returning test administrator or district test coordinator and you are having trouble signing in to the WIDA Secure Portal, please contact the WIDA Client Services Center.
Test Administration Times
Up to 5 minutes
Up to 15 minutes
Up to 10 minutes
Up to 10 minutes
40 minutes total test time
Scoring
A trained test administrator gives and scores the test. To become a trained test administrator, educators must read the Test Administrator Manual, complete the WIDA Screener for Kindergarten training course, and pass the appropriate quizzes. After testing, anyone can enter scores in the 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).
Using Screener Scores
Score reports provide proficiency level scores in seven categories: the four domains (Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing) and three composite areas (Oral Language, Literacy, Overall). Composite scores are created from two or more domain scores.
Proficiency level scores are interpretive scores. The scores describe student performance in terms of the six WIDA English language proficiency levels:
Entering > Emerging > Developing > Expanding > Bridging > Reaching
If a student is identified as an EL, proficiency level scores from WIDA Screener can be used by educators to plan differentiated levels of support for each child.
For further explanation of proficiency levels, scores and how they connect, refer to the WIDA Screener Interpretive Guide.
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