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 independent/international schools for purchase in the WIDA Store.
Preparing for and Administering WIDA Screener Paper
See the Quick Start Guide below.
Scoring
All domains of WIDA Screener Paper are scored locally. The Speaking domain is scored by the test administrator during the test. Therefore, all test administrators must complete the following training courses:
- WIDA Screener Paper: Administration
- Speaking scoring courses for the relevant grade clusters
The Writing domain is scored after administering the test. 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.
WIDA Screener Paper Score Calculator
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.
Test Administration Times*
Up to 5 minutes
Up to 15 minutes
Up to 25 minutes
Up to 40 minutes
85 minutes total test time
Quick Start 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. Educators must also complete the relevant Speaking scoring course(s). If you will be scoring writing responses, you will also need to complete the relevant Writing scoring course(s). See the list of 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 format
- Professionally printed Test Administrator's Scripts
- Professionally printed Student Response Booklets
- Recording scripts, used in some accommodations (email request to WIDA Store)
4. Schedule test sessions.
Consider whether you will be testing students individually or in groups. Testing time for WIDA Screener Paper can take up to 85 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 playing device/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 will be scored by the test administrator during the test, and the other domains are scored after students complete the test. The test administrator scores Listening and Reading responses, and a trained writing rater (who may also be the test administrator) scores Writing responses.
7. Generate score reports.
Use the WIDA Screener Paper Score Calculator to covert raw scores to Proficiency Levels and generate Individual Score Reports.
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