English Learners Newsletter

Update from the Wyoming Department of Education  |  view online |  website

English Learners Update Masthead

03-03-2021  |  March 2021 Edition


WIDA: NEW COURSES ADDED TO MICRO-OFFERINGS SERIES

WIDA Professional Learning added two new micro-offerings to the free virtual learning series: Supporting Multilingual Learners during COVID-19.  

  • Educational Equity for Multilingual Learners During COVID-19.
  • Connecting Educators to Tools for Oral Language Development.

The five-part series is designed to help educators navigate the nuances of teaching and supporting multilingual children and youth this school year. Each 30-minute learning opportunity provides educators with tools to teach multilingual learners effectively during the pandemic. Access the courses on the WIDA Distance Teaching and Learning website.


POST-TESTING WEBINARS

Data Validation

  • This webinar will provide how-to information on validating and correcting student data.
  • From Noon-1 p.m. on Tuesday, March 9, 2021.
  • Join Webinar.

Interpreting Score Reports

  • This webinar will provide how-to information on:
    • Interpreting score report data.
    • Reviewing the general data corrections and scoring appeals process.
  • From Noon-1 p.m. on Tuesday, March 16, 2021.
  • Join Webinar.

Q&A WEBINAR ON WIDA ELD STANDARDS FRAMEWORK

Q&A Webinar #4 - Putting It All Together: Next Steps for Utilizing the WIDA ELD Standards Framework, 2020 Edition

The new WIDA English Language Development Standards Framework, 2020 Edition: Kindergarten-Grade 12 was released on December 18, 2020. Details and login information for webinar sessions can be found in the WIDA ELD Standards Framework, 2020 Edition Q&A Webinar Series flyer. All webinar recordings are posted to the ELD Standards Framework page within one week of the presentation.


LEAs PRE-REPORTING DATA VALIDATION IN AMS

From March 19-April 1, 2021

Districts will use the WIDA AMS to work through the procedures for data validation.

  • Districts must review the data for all students and validate students as necessary.
  • The data validation process is designed to identify student demographic, accommodation, and test result records that could contain errors and provide the opportunity for corrective action before reporting the ACCESS for ELLs suite of assessments.
  • Data validation is completed by the District Test Coordinator (DTC). The DTC automatically assigns the data validation permission—Correction Primary Window — to the District Test Coordinator, who can pass these permissions on to School Coordinators and Test Administrators. Pre-reporting data validation occurs before initial reporting and impacts reports (both printed and posted in WIDA AMS) and data files. 
  • Reports are generated immediately following the close of data validation. 
  • Districts/schools WILL NOT have another opportunity to edit student data prior to reports being printed/posted to WIDA AMS.

For more information on how to complete data validation on WIDA AMS, see the User Guide Supplement: Data Validation.


EL AND TITLE III QUARTERLY WEBINAR

webinar

From 3:45-5 p.m. on March 25, 2021

Join the WDE for the English Learner (EL) Quarterly Webinar. This webinar is designed to provide up-to-date, clarifying information and specific details on revisions to EL and Title III programs, processes, and documents. Sessions will offer guidance on topics specific to all districts serving ELs. A Q&A session will follow.


ACCESS & ALT ACCESS STUDENT NOT TESTED FORM (SNTF)

  • The ACCESS testing window closes on February 26, 2021.
  • District Test Coordinators (DTC) must complete the Student Not Tested Form (SNTF) for students who did not complete ACCESS for ELLs or ALT ACCESS for ELLs testing, in part or in whole.
  • DTCs must complete and submit the ACCESS SNTF by March 8, 2021.
  • Note: If you have already filled out the spreadsheet "SNTF" in your district folder, you do not need to complete the form in this article.

For more information, contact Antoinette Hallam, WDE Assessment Consultant, at 307-777-5217 or antoinette.hallam@wyo.gov.


ADDITIONAL EL RESOURCES

The links below include access to additional resources, guidance, and the opportunity to network within the EL community.


IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES

  • March 2: Deadline to Ship ACCESS Testing Materials to DRC.
  • March 3 and March 10: Planning with the WIDA ELD Standards Framework Webinar.
  • March 9: ACCESS for ELLs Post-Testing: Data Validation Webinar.
  • March 9: WIDA ELD Standards Framework, Q&A Webinar.
  • March 16: ACCESS for ELLs Post-Testing: Interpreting Score Reports Webinar.
  • March 19-April 1: Pre-Reporting Data Validation-LEAs in AMS.