Resources/Recursos

This guide is meant to assist stakeholders in understanding the scores reported for WIDA MODEL test takers in Kindergarten through Grade 12.

Released March 2024

WIDA conducted a research study that linked WIDA MODEL Online scale scores to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). This video discusses the research study, the findings, and the Understanding WIDA MODEL Online Scale Scores in Terms of CEFR Levels tool.

Released January 2024

Many literacy programs were not designed to effectively use multilingual students’ knowledge, skills, and strengths. This Snapshot is the second in a five-part series that provides insights from relevant research and suggests ways to engage the significant strengths that multilingual learners bring to their literacy development. 

Released January 2024

Many literacy programs were not designed to effectively use multilingual students’ knowledge, skills, and strengths. This Snapshot is the fourth in a five-part series that provides insights from relevant research and suggests ways to engage the significant strengths that multilingual learners bring to their literacy development. 

Released January 2024

Many literacy programs were not designed to effectively use multilingual students’ knowledge, skills, and strengths. This Snapshot is the third in a five-part series that provides insights from relevant research and suggests ways to engage the significant strengths that multilingual learners bring to their literacy development. 

Released January 2024

Many literacy programs were not designed to effectively use multilingual students’ knowledge, skills, and strengths. This Snapshot is the fifth in a five-part series that provides insights from relevant research and suggests ways to engage the significant strengths that multilingual learners bring to their literacy development. 

Released January 2024

This report describes a research study conducted by WIDA to link scores on the WIDA MODEL Online tests of Listening, Reading, Speaking, and Writing to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). The results of the study are cut scores for each of the four language domain tests that are recommended for classifying test takers according to the levels of the CEFR.

Released December 2023

WIDA research findings show that WIDA MODEL Online scale scores can be interpreted in terms of Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) levels. Use the tables in this document to look up students' MODEL scale scores and see the corresponding CEFR levels for each domain.

Released December 2023

This Focus Bulletin offers expert advice, data on 2020-21 identification rates, data templates, common scenarios and resources for school teams identifying K-12 multilingual learners for Specific Learning Disabilities.

Originally published May 2017/Updated November 2023
Author: Lynn Shafer Willner

Released December 2023

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.

Released November 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.

Released August 2023

This comprehensive document explains the types of scores reported by ACCESS for ELLs for students in kindergarten through grade 12.

Released February 2023

This version of the report is for educators and provides information about a student’s scores on the Alternate ACCESS English language proficiency test. This test is based on the WIDA Alternate English Language Development Standards and is used to measure students’ progress in learning English. Scores are reported as Language Proficiency Levels and as Scale Scores.

Released February 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 flyer provides a breakdown of the role school/district-level educators, state-level administrators and WIDA play in using or developing ACCESS Online and Paper test scores, interpreting scores and making decisions based on scores to best serve English learners. Plus, there’s a checklist outlining the positive and intended outcomes of using ACCESS Online and Paper scores, so you’ll always know what it takes to ensure your students have the supports they need.

Released July 2022

In this Focus Bulletin, we aim to help readers better understand how WIDA MODEL test scores may be used to support instructional planning decisions for multilingual learners and their teachers. We describe the rich resources available from WIDA to help educators understand what the test scores mean. We also explain how these resources may be used, along with MODEL test scores to help inform where multilingual learners have opportunities to further develop their English language skills.

Published February 2022
Authors: Mark Chapman, Heather Elliott, Jennifer Feldmann

Released February 2022

In this webinar, the WIDA standards development team discusses and models the tools, provided in the 2020 Edition, for initiating critical conversations with school leaders and colleagues.

Released March 2021

One of the components of the WIDA ELD Standards Framework is the Key Language Uses (KLUs). The KLUs summarize the most prominent language uses across disciplines, helping educators organize and prioritize curriculum and instruction. Learn about the updated KLUs – Inform, Narrate, Explain and Argue.

Released February 2021

Members of the WIDA standards development team share a high-level overview of what’s new and exciting in the WIDA English Language Development Standards Framework, 2020 Edition. Intended for SEA representatives, district leaders, and EL and content teachers.

Released January 2021

This letter, available in many languages, contains general information about ACCESS for ELLs and is meant to accompany ACCESS for ELLs score reports as an explanation for parents and guardians. It is provided in an editable format to allow districts and schools to include additional information regarding test administration dates and state policy.

Released December 2020