WIDA Testing Information 2021

Salina Intermediate Families,

Each year in Michigan and across the country, students in Kindergarten through 12th grade who are learning the English language are required by federal law to take an assessment called the WIDA ACCESS for ELLs. This test provides important information for parents, teachers, and school leaders about the progress our students are making in learning the English language. This year testing will begin at Salina Intermediate for select students on Monday, February 1^st.  If your child is testing, you will then be notified of your child’s testing dates and times.

Why do we need the WIDA ACCESS test?

1. The test helps you and your child’s teacher monitor your child’s progress in learning English.
2. The test helps you and your child’s teacher know if adjustments are needed in instruction to help your child succeed in learning English.
3. The test helps teachers know when your child is proficient in English and no longer needs English language development classes or support.
4. The test helps school leaders, policy makers, and the public know about the progress our students are making in learning the English language.

Testing during the COVID-19 pandemic

The WIDA ACCESS for ELLs tests are required to be given in-person.  Like so many other things this year, our protocols for conducting the English language testing will look different in order to protect the health and safety of our students and teachers.

Here are some steps we have taken to keep students and staff safe during the tests:

• We added additional health safety procedures during the test including, limiting the sharing of materials, cleaning materials when possible, ensuring adequate spacing between students, increasing ventilation, and ensuring students and staff wash their hands or use hand sanitizer before and after the test.

We will continue to monitor health data for our community and will make any other changes to our WIDA ACCESS for ELLs testing plans necessary to keep our students, families, and staff safe.

Mrs. Eman Ahmed

Principal

Salina Intermediate School

Important Links and Information: