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Implementation Guide: WIDA ELD Standards Framework
WIDA Proficiency Level Descriptors: Informing Expectations and Scaffolding
Marco de los estándares del desarrollo auténtico del lenguaje español de WIDA (Marco DALE)

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Examining English Learner Testing, Proficiency and Growth: Before and Throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic

This report examines English learners’ (EL) testing, proficiency and growth in the academic years of 2018–19, 2019–20 and 2020–21, using population-level data from ACCESS for ELLs Online, administered across the WIDA Consortium to students identified as ELs. The objective of the report is to shed light on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on ELs’ educational outcomes.

October 2021 
Authors: Narek Sahakyan, H. Gary Cook

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Examining English Learner Testing, Proficiency, and Growth: Before, During, and “After” the COVID-19 Pandemic

This report ​examines English learner testing, proficiency, and growth in the years surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. This research builds on an October 2021 report on the impact of the pandemic, and includes data from the 2021-22 ACCESS for ELLs test administration. Findings indicate that in some grades and language domains EL's average proficiency and growth have returned to pre-pandemic levels. However, for most grades and language domains the evidence points to a continuing impact of COVID-19 on English learners’ English language development.

Published April 2023
Author: Narek Sahakyan, Glenn Poole

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Examining Growth at the Intersection of IEP and (Long-Term) EL Status

Motivated by findings of a 2018 WIDA report pointing to large overlap between ELs with Individualized Education Program (IEP) designations and those ELs who could be identified as LTELs, this study further focuses on these dual-identified students. Grouping ELs by ever-IEP (i.e., being assigned an IEP at any point in the longitudinal record) and never-IEP status, we compare these two subgroups’ English language growth trajectories across time. Our findings show consistent trends of differential growth and reclassification rates for these two subgroups.

Published November 2021 
Authors: Narek Sahakyan, Glenn Poole

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Examining How To Establish English Proficiency Using Alternate Composite Scores

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

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Examining Preschool-aged Dual Language Learners’ Language Use: From a Functional Approach

This study examines oral language development of 14 dual language learners ages 2.5 to 5.5 years in preschools in the Midwestern United States. They engaged in five key language uses: argue, explain, heuristic, recount, and request. Preschoolers 2.5 to 3.5 years only made simple requests or argued to meet their needs; the older cohort demonstrated a wider range of key language uses.

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Examining Relationships Between Alternate Access and State Alternate Assessments

This report examines how Alternate ACCESS for ELLs serves as a tool that identifies English proficiency attainment for English learners with significant cognitive disabilities.

Published December 2014 
Author: H. Gary Cook

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Examining the Relationship Between the WIDA Screener and ACCESS for ELLs Assessments

This report describes a study that examined to what extent scores on WIDA Screener predict scores on ACCESS for ELLs. Researchers found that Screener scores are strongly predictive of ACCESS scores, even when a variety of individual factors are accounted for.

Published February 2020 
Authors: David MacGregor, Narek Sarakyan

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Expanding Reading Instruction with Multilingual Learners

Across the country, educators are working to improve students' reading, but many of the programs and approaches in use were not designed to take into account the unique needs and assets of multilingual learners. This Focus Bulletin shares classroom-ready resources, as well as examples and video from classrooms where educators are working to expand reading instruction to make it more inclusive and more effective for multilingual students.

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Explaining ELL Status (multiple languages)

Use this flyer in intake centers or at parent-teacher conferences as you explain the process of screening students and identifying them as ELLs. This flyer, available in several languages, explains how ELLs are identified and what that status means for students. Use it to help parents understand the purpose of screening and language testing.

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Explicando la clasificación ELL

Use este folleto en los centros de ingreso o durante las conferencias con padres para explicar el proceso de evaluación de estudiantes e identificación como ELL (por sus siglas en inglés). Este folleto explica en español cómo se identifican a los estudiantes ELL y qué significa esa clasificación para ellos. Úselo para ayudar a los padres a comprender el propósito de evaluar el nivel lingüístico.

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Exploring the Long-term English Learner Population Across 15 WIDA States

This research report summarizes findings from a recent WIDA study exploring the potential long-term English learner (LTEL) population across 15 geographically-representative WIDA member states during the period 2009-10 through 2014-15. The findings highlight a continuing need for research that rejects an overly simplistic understanding of the LTEL designation. Additionally, future research should more carefully examine how educational systems, practices, and policies structure the experiences and diverse trajectories of students identified as LTELs.

Published October 2018 
Authors: Narek Sarakyan and Sarah Ryan

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Family Connections Through Home Languages

This flyer provides educators with information on how home languages play an important role in maintaining communication and relationships with family.​

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Family Connections Through Home Languages (Arabic)

This Arabic-language flyer provides educators with information on how home languages play an important role in maintaining communication and relationships with family.​

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Family Connections Through Home Languages (Dari)

This flyer provides educators with information on how home languages play an important role in maintaining communication and relationships with family.​

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Family Connections Through Home Languages (Korean)

This Korean-language flyer provides educators with information on how home languages play an important role in maintaining communication and relationships with family.​

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Family Connections Through Home Languages (Pashto)

This flyer provides educators with information on how home languages play an important role in maintaining communication and relationships with family.​

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Family Connections Through Home Languages (Simplified Chinese)

This Simplified Chinese-language flyer provides educators with information on how home languages play an important role in maintaining communication and relationships with family.​

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Family Connections Through Home Languages (Spanish)

This Spanish language flyer provides educators with information on how home languages play an important role in maintaining communication and relationships with family.​

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Family Connections Through Home Languages (Ukrainian)

This Ukrainian-language flyer provides educators with information on how home languages play an important role in maintaining communication and relationships with family.​

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Finding Your Students' Superpowers: Using ACCESS Score Reports

This flyer is full of tips and best practices when considering students' ACCESS scores and includes links to supporting resources.

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