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.