| DATE: | July 20, 2018 |
|---|---|
| TO: | Division Superintendents |
| FROM: | James F. Lane, Superintendent of Public Instruction |
| SUBJECT: | Training for the Administration of the WIDA Screener Online English Language Proficiency Assessment |
The purpose of this memorandum is to inform school divisions of upcoming professional development regarding the WIDA Screener Online English Language Proficiency (ELP) assessment. As mentioned in Superintendent’s Memo #136-18: Screening Tools for Identifying English Learners, the use of the grades 1-12 W-APT as an identification tool for determining entrance language proficiency levels will be discontinued on October 31, 2018.
To assist with transitioning to new screening tools such as the WIDA Screener, the Virginia Department of Education, in collaboration with the WIDA® Consortium and Data Recognition Corporation (DRC), is offering training for the 2018-2019 administration of the WIDA Screener Online English Language Proficiency assessment. This one-day training is designed for testing examiners who conduct entrance language proficiency assessments for students in grades 1-12. Division Directors of Testing (DDOTs) and Title III Coordinators are also welcome to attend. A maximum of four participants per division is advised to allow for full regional access to this opportunity.
Participants in this training will work collaboratively to strengthen their understanding of the administration of this online assessment. Particular attention will be given to the scoring of speaking and writing sections of the assessment. Specifically, this training will prepare participants to be able to:
- Explain the purpose and background of the WIDA Screener;
- Identify the connection between the English Language Development Framework and Screener scoring scales;
- Use the scoring scales to score speaking and writing samples;
- Examine the online administration procedures for listening, reading, speaking and writing; and
- Discover the accommodations available on the WIDA Screener.
Additionally, procedures for setting up test sessions, entering and generating score reports, and exploring the logistics for test administration will be demonstrated. Participants must bring a computer or tablet with wireless capability as both the WIDA website and WIDA Assessment Management System (AMS) will be accessed during the training. Participants must also have log-in credentials to access both sites. Individuals who do not have the necessary log-in credentials for the WIDA website or WIDA AMS should contact their DDOT to request them prior to the day of training.
This one-day training will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is limited to 40 participants at each location. The training will be offered on the following days at the locations listed below:
- Monday, August 6, 2018
Chesterfield County Public Schools
Chesterfield Career and Technical Center – Hull Campus
13900 Hull Street Road
Midlothian, VA 23112
(804) 639-8668
- Tuesday, August 7, 2018
Fredericksburg City Public Schools
Walker-Grant Center
210 Ferdinand Street
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
(540) 372-1065
- Wednesday, August 15, 2018
Staunton City Public Schools
Lee High School
1200 North Coalter Street
Staunton, VA 24401
(540) 332-3926
- Thursday, August 16, 2018
Roanoke City Public Schools
William Ruffner Professional Development Center
3601 Ferncliff Avenue, NW
Roanoke, VA 24017
(540) 853-2382
Training materials, breakfast, and a working lunch will be provided for all participants. The cost of travel and lodging will be the responsibility of the participants. To register for this training, please access this brief online registration survey: This link takes you out of the Virginia Department of Education website.. Registration will remain open until Friday, August 3, 2018.
If you have questions, please contact the assessment staff by email at student_assessment@doe.virginia.gov: Email link. or by phone at (804) 225-2102.
JFL/SLR/sw