Authored by Dr. Juvenal E. Abrego, Administration SIG Leader

WIDA Preparation 

The administration of the WIDA ACCESS test is always a stressful time for schools.  LIEP teachers and testing coordinators become highly stressed for a period of weeks as they navigate the difficult world of administering the ACCESS test. Some helpful tips for LIEP teachers to prepare are:

• Ensure all rosters are printed and all students are accounted for, This should include verifying new enrollments, and matching students’ registration to the testing website. 
• Set a date and time to meet with your school administration to determine a plan of action: Dates, location, classrooms, testing administrators and proctors. 
• For the listening portion of the WIDA assessments headphones are used. LIEP teachers must have a supply of earbuds or headphones that can be used for the audio portion of the test. If this is not the case, the school administration will need sufficient time to place an order. 
• A helpful recommendation for LIEP teachers to avoid make-up testing is to have a designated daily make-up room and session, so that this becomes an ongoing process. 
• Some schools have found success in training classroom teachers to take the test to be WIDA testing administrators. This can expedite the administration process as several grade levels or groups can be tested in a week. 

In summary, the administration of the WIDA test does not have to be a painful process or a two month event. Sufficient planning and  thoughtful preparation can lead to a successful WIDA administration with minimal interruptions to the school’s instructional day.