Weekly Update
Wayne Township LAP 8/23/2019
Scoring the Online WIDA Screener
The online WIDA Screener Listening and Reading tests are scored automatically by the test program during administration. The online responses for the Speaking and Writing domains are recorded in WIDA AMS. After the student completes these tests, a certified rater scores the responses in WIDA AMS using the provided scoring guidance, including the scoring scale and model responses. Student responses are often ready to score in 15-20 minutes, but can take as long as two hours to be available for scoring. If you have any questions or concerns about scoring the WIDA Screeners or accessing score reports, please call me at 317-988-6302 or email jody.horning@wayne.k12.in.us.
What if a student takes the screener and scores proficient in English?
If the student scores proficient on the WIDA Screener (5.0 or higher overall score) or the Kindergarten W-APT(scores a 29 or 30), that student is considered fluent upon enrollment. The student is not identified as an English Learner and does not have a monitoring period. The student will be reported annually on DOE-LM until graduation. A copy of the placement test results should be kept in the student's permanent file.
Communicating with Families About the Identification Process
This visual flyer My Child is an English Learner can be a conversation starter to help explain the ELL identification process to families. It is available in Spanish here. WIDA also offers a K-12 Family video series available at the Resource Library that gives more information on the ELL identification and placement process.
Setting Goals with Students
Journaling Activities to Build Reading, Writing, and Critical Thinking Skills
This article from The Edvocate explains that journaling makes students better readers and writers and boosts their higher-order and critical thinking skills. Please share Journaling Activities to Build Your Students Writing, Reading Comprehension, and Critical Thinking Skills with your teachers.
Are You Assessment Literate?
The Indiana Department of Education has a new webpage that will answer questions about assessing students. You'll find five-minute videos and a variety of resources here to increase assessment literacy and awareness for school staff, students, and families.