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 (ELs). It is available to WIDA Consortium members, and to WIDA International School Consortium members for purchase in the WIDA Store.
Preparing for and Administering WIDA Screener Paper
WIDA Consortium Members
See below for the Quick Start Guide.
If you are a first-time test administrator or district test coordinator, please visit your state’s member 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.
International Consortium Members
If you are a first-time test administrator, please log in to the WIDA International Secure Portal for the WIDA Screener Paper training course. If you are having trouble signing in to the Portal, please contact Fatima Rivera at international@wida.us.
The International Secure Portal contains the Quick Start Guide for administering Screener Paper.
Test Administration Times*
Up to 5 minutes
Up to 15 minutes
Up to 25 minutes
Up to 40 minutes
85 minutes total test time
Scoring
All domains of WIDA Screener Paper are scored locally. The Speaking domain is scored by the test administrator during the test. To become a trained administrator and rater, you must complete the WIDA Screener Paper: Administration Training Course and the Speaking Scoring Training Course(s) for the relevant grade clusters. To score the Writing domain, you must complete the Writing Scoring Training Course(s) for the relevant grade clusters. All courses end with a course quiz.
Using Screener Scores
Score reports provide proficiency level scores in seven categories: the four domains (Listening, Reading, Speaking, 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.
QuickStart Guide for Administering WIDA Screener Paper
1. Complete assessment training and review manuals.
Educators must complete the WIDA Screener Paper: Administration training course and review the Test Administration Manual before giving the test. If you will be scoring student responses, you will need to complete the Speaking and Writing scoring courses.
Purchase additional materials, including the Speaking and Listening Test Audio, from the WIDA Store.
2. Get additional training from WIDA as needed.
WIDA offers a webinar to help educators understand how to administer WIDA Screener Paper.
WIDA Screener Paper webinar (WIDA Secure Portal account required)
3. Order your test materials.
Some test materials are provided on the WIDA Screener Paper: Administration Course Resources page in the WIDA Secure Portal. Other materials must be purchased via the WIDA Store.
Additional materials available from the WIDA Store:
- Test Booklets
- Audio files available in USB drive or CD format
- Professionally printed Test Administrator's Scripts
- Professionally printed Student Response Booklets
- Recording scripts for students with disabilities
4. Schedule test sessions.
Consider whether you will be testing students individually or in groups. Actual testing time for WIDA Screener Paper is about 70 minutes from start to finish, depending on the grade-level cluster and path administered.
See the Test Administration Manual.
5. Administer the assessment.
Gather your pencils, audio speakers and materials and you’re ready to test. With thorough training and careful preparation, test administrators will be ready to deliver a reliable and positive testing experience.
6. Score the assessment.
Follow the instructions in the Test Administration Manual to score the assessment. Speaking responses are scored by the test administrator during test administration. The test administrator scores the Listening, Reading and Writing responses after students complete the test.
7. Generate score reports.
Use the WIDA Screener Paper Score Calculator to covert raw scores to Proficiency Levels and generate Individual Score Reports.
Resources for Educators
Get resources specific to your state
State-specific contact information and additional testing resources for WIDA Consortium members.