The beginning of a new year brings opportunities for reflection and renewal. At WIDA, we continue to collaborate with educators around the world to improve how we support teaching and learning, while also preparing new professional learning for next school year. A new year also allows us to reflect on the importance of the work that we do to serve multilingual learners. As international educators, we have not only the opportunity, but the responsibility, to promote equity for all learners by advocating for transnational students and their families.
In Madison, we continue to research and reflect on our work to renew our commitment to educators. The WIDA Assessment team is gathering and analyzing information from international stakeholders to improve our tests. Dozens of educators will participate in a virtual review of items for the new Kindergarten Screener. Hundreds of educators completed a survey about how MODEL is being used, and we are in the process of conducting interviews with schools around the world. We are excited to invite international educators to Brussels, Belgium in May for a Bias, Sensitivity and Content Review to provide feedback on the next iteration of WIDA MODEL.
Finally, in addition to improving WIDA assessments, we have a number of new research and professional learning opportunities still available, and we invite member schools to host global learning events for the next school year. Celebrate 2019 by joining WIDA, in person or virtually, as we collaborate with educators around the world to build on what multilingual learners can do.
Jennifer Wilfrid specializes in research and development projects in the areas of English language development and educating multilingual learners in international school contexts.
As part of the Client Services Center at WIDA, Fatima answers your questions. This month Fatima responds to questions about the WIDA Screener Training Course.
