WIDA MODEL Online has moved to a new test platform
By Hannah Haynes
WIDA MODEL Online has moved to a new platform and now offers improved accessibility, usability and efficiency to the testing experience.
What Is MODEL?
As part of the broader WIDA assessment system, MODEL fills the crucial space between placement and annual summative testing. Unlike WIDA Screener or WIDA ACCESS, MODEL provides actionable data during the school year, helping educators tailor instruction and identify trends in student growth. In international contexts, WIDA MODEL can also be used to screen students for identification and placement decisions, monitor student progress over time, support decisions related to exiting students, and more.
MODEL is ideal for educators looking to enhance their English language development programs with timely, reliable and accessible assessment data.
WIDA MODEL Online is a computer-based, semi-adaptive English language proficiency assessment for students in grades 1-12. This on-demand assessment can be administered up to two times a year to monitor students’ progress.
“This assessment is about more than assessing language proficiency,” said Katie Schultz, WIDA Assessment Specialist. “It’s about giving educators tools to make meaningful instructional decisions, while also respecting their time and providing a smooth, intuitive experience for students.”
MODEL Online shifted to Pearson platforms in June 2025 and now offers a host of new features.
What’s New and Exciting in MODEL Online?
It’s important to note that while the MODEL test content has not changed, the delivery platforms offer powerful new features. With the launch of MODEL Online on the TestNav and ADAM platforms, the assessment is more flexible and offers an improved student testing experience. Here’s what to expect:
- A more accessible student experience: The MODEL test content has a new look in a new test delivery browser. For the first time, each domain includes embedded universal tools to support students. Keyboard navigation and zoom functionality with automatic content reflow make MODEL Online more accessible than ever before.
- The WIDA MODEL Resource Center: This new public website puts support at your fingertips with test prep materials, practice items, technology guidance and platform walkthroughs.
- Practice tests and student-readiness tools: Available on the WIDA MODEL Resource Center, new MODEL practice tests and student-readiness tools help demystify the testing experience. Learn how to navigate TestNav and practice using universal tools prior to testing.
- Flexible proctoring: In ADAM, create proctor groups for specific groups of students or create a single proctor group for all students and administer the test with total flexibility. Students in a single proctor group do not need to be tested concurrently. Additionally, students can easily be moved to a different proctor group or added to an existing testing group that has already been started.
- Annual rostering in LaunchPad: Simplify year-over-year maintenance of student data by re-importing students each testing year while keeping students’ longitudinal and test history data intact.
- Dynamic reporting: On the ADAM platform, educators can view dynamic reporting dashboards to view test progress, test activity and student performance at a glance, including aggregate scale score and proficiency level frequency information for schools and districts.
“We’re especially excited about how ADAM positions MODEL for the future,” Schultz said. “It’s flexible, secure and constantly improving — all things that deeply matter to the educators we serve.”
What’s Next?
This change to MODEL Online marks an exciting chapter — but not the final one. WIDA continues to work on future improvements and innovations for MODEL based on educator feedback and classroom needs.
As far as next steps for you, we recommend the following:
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