The Pros And Cons Of WIDA Assessments

1. When researching I found a post that listed a couple of limitations with the WIDA assessment. The first limitation is that the “students take almost the test each year” (Strauss, 2015). I found that some people believe that because the test is given annually the students will have been exposed to the questions in years before because “only one-third of the test’s items are refreshed annually” and because that “even the weakest students are able to improve their scores from one year to the next” (Strauss, 2015). Another limitation I found when researching is that with the WIDA assessment is that there is no appeal process. What this means is that if a student happens to do well on the WIDA assessment then they are no long able to be in “ESOL

classes”. They then have to be in a mainstream classroom (Strauss, 2015). I feel like this assessment is important so that English language learner get the help they need and deserve.

I also believe though that this is a typical standardized test that is more for the state, then the student. When I first started this I had no opinions on the WIDA assessment I actually didn’t know what it was but know that I do, I agree with the professional critiques of the assessment. The lack of an appeal process if saddening, only 30% of the test is refreshed every year, so 70% of the test, the students have already seen, and that makes it easier for the student to get a higher score. The students higher score could be an accident due to the fact that they have already been exposed to the materials. I believe this assessment could be good for the kids that know English really well or do not know it at all. If the student falls into the middle where they are okay but not completely struggling, then I believe this test can make them not get the help and support they still may need. I feel like this assessment is important so that English language learner get the help they need and deserve, but I also believe though that this is a typical standardized test that is more for the state, then the student. This WIDA is just a typical standardized test there to test the English proficiency of an English language

learner.

2. This would be an appropriate assessment to be used with most culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) populations. This is because it is more adapted to the ELL then a typical set of standards and assessments. An example of that is that it “provides students with additional opportunities to demonstrate their English language proficiency through scripted cues in the Listening and Readings Sections and auxiliary questions in the Speaking Section”. Another thing that makes this test okay to use with CLD students is that this test has “simplified language, repetition of questions, increased graphic support, larger testing materials, and graphics” (Alternate ACCESS for ELLs). These standards and assessment are useful with CLD populations because they “act as a guideline for identifying such students, placing them in appropriate level classes and eventually weaning them back into grade-level instruction” (WIDA Standards - Jared). They can help ELL students the help they need while at school.