WIDA Screener Online is an English language proficiency assessment given to new students in grades 1–12 to help educators identify whether they are English learners (ELs). It is available for free to WIDA Consortium members.
Preparing for and Administering WIDA Screener Online
See the Quick Start Guide below.
Scoring
The online test platform automatically scores the Listening and Reading domains during administration. A trained local rater scores the Speaking and Writing domains. To become a trained rater and score responses, you must complete the Speaking and/or Writing training course for the relevant grade clusters and pass the appropriate quizzes.
Using Screener Scores
Score reports provide proficiency level scoresin seven categories: the four domains (Listening, Reading, Speaking, Writing)and three composite areas (Oral Language, Literacy, Overall). Composite scores are created from two or more domain scores.
Proficiency level scores are interpretive scores. The scores describe student performance in terms of the six WIDA English language proficiency levels:
Entering > Emerging > Developing > Expanding > Bridging > Reaching
If a student is identified as an EL, proficiency level scores from WIDA Screener can be used by educators to plan differentiated levels of support for each child.
For further explanation of proficiency levels, scores and how they connect, refer to the WIDA Screener Interpretive Guide.
