Resources/Recursos

The WIDA Spanish Language Development (SLD) Standards, Kindergarten – Grade 12, 2013 Edition is a resource for planning and implementing language instruction and assessment for emergent bilinguals who are learning academic content in Spanish. This publication will also offer information on where the WIDA SLD Standards fit within the larger WIDA system for instruction and assessment and how to use the SLD standards to have a broader understanding of the linguistic profile of students.

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Released May 2014

This research brief reports preliminary results from a study of teachers’ successful experiences engaging English learners in collaborative learning with peers.

Released May 2014

This report describes key components of high quality professional development for educators of English language learners.

Published May 2014 
Author: Daniella Molle

Released May 2014

This document articulates the theoretical foundations for the 2012 Amplification of the WIDA English Language Development Standards, Kindergarten-Grade 12. The 2012 Amplification and its theoretical foundations are in the process of being retired. For the most up-to-date information, please see Appendix F: Theoretical Foundations in the WIDA ELD Standards Framework, 2020 Edition.

The 2012 Amplification of the WIDA ELD Standards drew on multiple theories and approaches in an effort to describe language use in academic contexts, as this is the language students must acquire and negotiate to participate successfully in school. These multiple theories and approaches formed a theoretical foundation that supported the 2012 WIDA ELD standards framework. This document articulates that theoretical foundation.

Released March 2014

Developing a Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Approach to Response to Instruction and Intervention (RtI²) for English Language Learners: Connecting to WIDA Standards, Assessments, and Other Resources

Response to Intervention or Responsiveness to Instruction (RtI) is one example of a multi-tiered system of support that helps educators identify the needs of all students as they develop more culturally and linguistically responsive educational systems. This guide includes tools and resources to help states, districts and schools address some of the unique needs of ELLs within a culturally and linguistically responsive RtI² system.

Released March 2014

This paper finds that many educators see the WIDA English language proficiency standards as a tool that can guide them in differentiating instruction and supporting language development among English language learners.

Released November 2013

This paper focuses on the creation of an instructional hyper textbook that serves as a personal environment for learning a less-commonly-taught language, Turkish in this case. It shows how digital personal environments can advance self-regulated language learning in tandem with more formal learning strategies.

Released July 2013

This study examined the ways in which educators across the WIDA Consortium use WIDA’s English language proficiency standards, and in particular the model performance indicators (MPIs).

Published May 2013 
Author: Daniella Molle

Released May 2013

This report addresses three primary questions:
1. How do you determine a meaningful English language performance standard?
2. How do you establish a realistic, empirically anchored time frame for attaining a given ELP performance standard?
3. How can states take into account English learners’ English language performance level when setting academic progress and proficiency expectations?

Published May 2013

Released May 2013

This study investigated a coaching process in which state educational representatives (SEAs) and WIDA staff engaged during 2012. The purpose was to enhance the quality of the professional development offered by states to their educators.

Published May 2013 
Authors: Daniella Molle, Christie Reveles

Released May 2013

This chart allows educators to track students by their level of English language proficiency.

Released April 2013

The goal of the analyses presented here is to identify a procedure for creating alternate composite scores on English language proficiency assessments without using all four domain test scores (i.e., listening, speaking, reading and writing).

Published April 2013 
Author: H. Gary Cook

Released April 2013

This 2012 report describes the development, validity and reliability of the WIDA MODEL assessment for Grades 1-2 and 3-5.

Released May 2012

This 16-state survey of school districts with fewer than 500 English language learners revealed that few district-level English language learner staff had formal preparation in educating English language learner or using English language proficiency standards. A wide school-level disparity existed between English as a second language or bilingual teachers and general education teachers in terms of their engagement with proficiency standards and assessment data.

Released April 2012

This report provides an overview of the design and technical properties of WIDA Alternate Screener and includes information on the purpose of the test, and the design and development of the test, along with information on item performance and test reliability from the first year of operational administration of WIDA Alternate Screener.

This is the redacted report for the 2023-2024 administration of WIDA Alternate Screener without item information.

Released October 2025