Understanding WIDA Screeners: The New Way to Identify English Learners (Replacing NYSITELL)

When new students arrive at school, one of the first steps is figuring out whether they need English language support. That’s where the WIDA Screeners come in. These new tools will replace the NYSITELL and offer a more flexible, accurate way to identify multilingual learners at the very beginning of their English learning journey.

 

What Is the WIDA Screener?

The WIDA Screener is a short English language assessment used when students first enroll in school. Its main purpose is to find out how much English a student already understands and uses, so teachers can decide if they qualify for ENL (English as a New Language) services.

What makes the WIDA Screener special is that it’s on-demand — schools can give it any time during the year instead of waiting for a specific testing window. This flexibility helps new arrivals start getting language support right away.

 

How the Screener Works

The test checks students’ skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing, giving teachers a full picture of how the student communicates in English.

• Most students take the test on a computer.
• Kindergarten students and those with certain disabilities use a paper version.
• There is also an alternate option for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities.

After testing, teachers receive a proficiency level score that shows where the student is on their path to English fluency.

 

Why This Change Matters

Replacing the NYSITELL with the WIDA Screener means schools are now using the same system that many other states across the country rely on.

This change offers several benefits:

• Consistency: All students are measured with the same national framework.
• Flexibility: Schools can test new students as soon as they arrive.
• Inclusivity: The assessment is designed to meet the needs of learners with different abilities.
• Alignment: The Screener connects directly to WIDA’s English Language Development (ELD) standards, so results link smoothly with classroom instruction.

 

What Teachers Can Expect

For educators, this transition means:

• Using a new platform for testing (WIDA’s online system).
• Access to training materials and resources through the WIDA Secure Portal.
• A clearer connection between assessment data and instructional planning.

ENL teachers, classroom teachers, and school teams will all use the results to decide how to best support each student’s language growth.

 

Final Thoughts

The WIDA Screener brings a more modern, flexible, and inclusive way to identify multilingual learners. By adopting this system, schools can ensure that every new student is supported from day one — with accurate information and consistent standards guiding their English language development.

It’s one more step toward creating classrooms where language learning and content learning go hand in hand.

 

Source

Based on publicly available information from the New York State Education Department and WIDA Consortium materials.

Understanding WIDA Alternate ACCESS: A New Assessment for Students with Significant Disabilities

As schools prepare for the transition to WIDA, one important update involves how English learners with significant cognitive disabilities will be assessed. The new WIDA Alternate ACCESS will take the place of the previous NYSESLAT for these students, creating a more accurate and supportive way to measure English language development.

 

What Is the WIDA Alternate ACCESS?

WIDA Alternate ACCESS is a specialized English language assessment designed for multilingual learners who also qualify for the New York State Alternate Assessment (NYSAA).

Unlike the regular WIDA ACCESS, this test is paper-based for all grades and adapted to meet the needs of students who require alternate assessment methods.

It measures language growth across the four essential domains — listening, speaking, reading, and writing — but in ways that match the learner’s individual abilities and learning profile.

 

Why This Change Matters

In the past, students with the most significant cognitive disabilities took the NYSESLAT alongside other English learners. However, this did not always provide a clear picture of their language abilities or progress.

The WIDA Alternate ACCESS is specifically built to:

• Reflect each student’s communication strengths
• Provide meaningful information about language development
• Support teachers in creating individualized instruction plans

This change ensures that every multilingual learner — regardless of disability — has an assessment that recognizes their learning path and growth.

 

What Teachers Should Know

Here are a few key things for educators to keep in mind:

• The Alternate ACCESS is a paper-based test for all grade levels.
• It uses adapted test materials designed to support accessibility and engagement.
• Results will show language proficiency progress that aligns with WIDA’s English Language Development (ELD) standards.
• ENL and special education teachers will work closely to prepare students and interpret results together.

Training and guidance will be available for educators before the test is implemented, ensuring that everyone understands how to administer it effectively.

 

Supporting Growth Beyond the Test

The WIDA Alternate ACCESS isn’t just a new test — it’s part of a larger effort to make assessment more inclusive, fair, and meaningful.

By using tools that reflect students’ real communication abilities, teachers can make better instructional decisions and celebrate progress that might have been overlooked before.

This aligns with WIDA’s core belief: language growth can and should be measured for every learner.

 

Final Thoughts

Transitioning to the WIDA Alternate ACCESS is a positive step toward recognizing the abilities and achievements of all English learners, including those with significant cognitive disabilities.

With the right tools, training, and collaboration, teachers can ensure that every student’s language growth is valued and supported — no matter their starting point.

 

Source

Based on publicly available information from the New York State Education Department and WIDA Consortium materials.

What You Should Know About WIDA ACCESS: The New English Language Proficiency (Replacing NYSESLAT)

Starting soon, schools will begin using WIDA ACCESS instead of the NYSESLAT to check English language development. This new assessment marks a big step forward in how we measure progress for multilingual learners across grade levels.

 

What Is WIDA ACCESS?

WIDA ACCESS is a set of English language assessments designed to measure how well students understand and use English in school. It looks at the four main language areas — listening, speaking, reading, and writing — and helps teachers see how students are growing each year.

Students in grades 1 through 12 will take WIDA ACCESS on a computer, while kindergarten students will complete a paper version that matches their developmental level.

Unlike the NYSESLAT, which was used only in one state, WIDA ACCESS is part of a national system used by dozens of states across the country. This means English learners will now be measured using tools that are consistent, research-based, and widely recognized.

 

What’s the Purpose?

The main goal of WIDA ACCESS is to help schools understand each student’s English language proficiency level — from beginners to advanced learners. The results show how students are progressing and what kind of language support they still need.

For teachers, the results can guide lesson planning, identify areas where students need more help, and celebrate language growth over time.

 

Why the Change?

The shift from NYSESLAT to WIDA ACCESS isn’t just about testing — it’s about aligning with a larger framework for language development. The WIDA system connects assessment with instruction, giving teachers a clearer picture of how language and academic skills work together.

Students will benefit from a test that’s better matched to classroom learning and reflects real academic language use in subjects like math, science, and social studies.

 

What Teachers Can Expect

• WIDA ACCESS is computer-based, making it more interactive and efficient.
• There are different versions for kindergarten, alternate assessments, and new student screeners.
• The test focuses on language growth, not just scores — showing progress over time.
• Training and online resources will be available to help teachers understand the process and use the results effectively.

 

Final Thoughts

This new assessment system gives educators a stronger foundation for supporting multilingual learners. By using WIDA ACCESS, schools can better track student progress and ensure that language learning connects meaningfully to content learning.

The transition may take time, but it represents a positive step toward equity, consistency, and quality in language education.

 

Source

Based on publicly available information from the New York State Education Department and WIDA Consortium materials.