In this video, learn how a kindergarten multilingual learner teacher uses the WIDA Proficiency Level Descriptors (PLDs) to guide her scaffolding practices.
Resource DetailsReleased September 2025
This handout shows how educators use the WIDA Proficiency Level Descriptors (PLDs) to scaffold lessons. It explains how they help students learn both the subject and the language.
For additional context, including additional resources and videos, please visit the Standards in Action page.
Resource Details View Download NowReleased September 2025
Use this ALTELLA Research Brief to distinguish between language and communication. The brief covers how multilingual learners with significant cognitive disabilities use both language and communication.
Resource DetailsReleased September 2025
Use this ALTELLA Research Brief to plan and prepare for IEP meetings for multilingual learners with significant cognitive disabilities. The brief highlights key elements to consider, including the importance of the student’s home language and the need to build cultural responsiveness among all educators.
Resource DetailsReleased September 2025
This WIDA Snapshot provides guidance on how to use the WIDA Language Charts to collaborate and plan instruction.
Resource DetailsReleased August 2025
Los descriptores del desempeño lingüístico del Marco DALE proporcionan un lineamiento de cómo los y las estudiantes pueden desarrollar su desempeño lingüístico al procesar y producir el lenguaje de acuerdo con los modos de comunicación (interpretativo, expresivo e interactivo).
Resource DetailsReleased February 2025
Los descriptores del desempeño lingüístico in Marco DALE provide guidance on how bi/multilingual students can develop language that they can interpret, interact and express in each of the communication modes (interpretative, interactive and expressive).
Resource DetailsReleased February 2025
The Alternate Can Do Descriptors (Alt Can Dos) are the first-ever Can Do Descriptors for multilingual learners with the most significant cognitive disabilities. The Alt Can Dos exemplify what students can do with communication and language at various stages of English language development.
The Alt Can Dos are arranged into the same grade-level clusters (K–2, 3–5, 6–8 and 9–12) as WIDA Alternate ACCESS. Within each grade-level cluster, the Alt Can Dos are organized by interpretive (listening and reading) and expressive (speaking and writing) communication modes for each WIDA ELD Standard and the five levels of English language development.
Resource Details View Download NowReleased October 2024
This WIDA Screener for Kindergarten eSummit session recording provides an in depth look at the test.
Resource DetailsReleased October 2024
This website serves as a digital database of the Marco de los estándares del desarrollo auténtico del lenguaje español de WIDA (Marco DALE). It categorizes Language Expectations in two ways: by the Marco DALE standard statement and grade-level clusters, and by the Key Language Use and communication mode. Proficiency Level Descriptors (PLDs) can be explored by grade level (K-1 and 2-12) and communication mode.
Resource DetailsReleased September 2024
This document articulates the WIDA Can Do Philosophy, which expresses the foundational belief that every learner brings valuable contributions to everything they do.
Resource Details View Download NowReleased May 2024
This webinar offers guidance on using the implementation guide for the WIDA English Language Development Standards Framework, 2020 Edition.
Resource DetailsReleased January 2024
This Snapshot will give K-12 educators ideas on how to apply the Proficiency Level Descriptors as they consider scaffolding practices that support multilingual students in meeting grade level content learning goals.
Resource DetailsReleased November 2023
Learn how WIDA is more than a test! Mr. Vega is a 6th grade EAL (English as an Additional Language) teacher at an international school who works with colleagues and families to support multilingual learners. Follow Mr. Vega all year long, as he focuses on what his students can do, using WIDA resources to collaborate and plan effective learning activities throughout the school year.
Resource Details View Download NowReleased September 2023
The Alternate Proficiency Level Descriptors (Alternate PLDs) are an extension of the PLDs found in the WIDA English Language Development (ELD) Standards, 2020 Edition, and describe the continuum of language development for ELs with the most significant cognitive disabilities. The Alternate PLDs are organized into five levels of English language proficiency for two communication modes: interpretive and expressive. Refer to the Glossary and Text Examples section for definitions of terms and examples of student responses. WIDA, with the help of classroom educators, created these proficiency levels to be unique to WIDA Alternate ACCESS.
Resource Details View Download NowReleased August 2023
The WIDA Guiding Principles of Early Language Development provide practitioners with a broad perspective on key concepts related to the language development of young children learning multiple languages. To further clarify the guiding principles, these research highlights provide practitioners with research-based descriptions and examples of effective practices.
Resource Details View Download NowReleased June 2023
This Focus Bulletin illustrates how teachers and students can use language development portfolios to interpret and document language growth. The bulletin follows the story of how a grade-level team introduced portfolios to their practice, posing several questions the team asked as they refined their usage. It closes by offering two sample tools that teachers can use and adapt to capture multilingual learners’ language growth using modified Proficiency Level Descriptors (PLDs) from the WIDA English Language Development Framework, 2020 Edition.
Published: December 2022
Authors: Fernanda Marinho Kray, Margo Gottlieb, Lynn Shafer Willner
Released December 2022
This WIDA Snapshot focuses on how you can gather information and reflect on the language and cultural goals families have for their children.
Resource DetailsReleased November 2022
This website serves as a digital database of the WIDA English Language Development (ELD) Standards Framework. It categorizes Language Expectations in two ways: by ELD standard statement and grade-level cluster, and by Key Language Use and communication mode. Proficiency Level Descriptors (PLDs) can be explored by grade-level cluster and communication mode.
Resource DetailsReleased August 2022
This Focus Bulletin reframes the WIDA Can Do Philosophy as a can do cycle of actions that can be embedded into teaching and learning experiences throughout the entire school year. In it, we offer resource banks of questions that can be used to elicit student assets and reflect on ways to build on student assets at the beginning of each unit, during each unit, and at the end of each unit.
Published April 2022
Authors: Maya Martinez-Hart, Christina Nelson
Released April 2022