The somewhat familiar announcement of WIDA Testing sounded out through the classrooms of AHS this morning as it interrupted instruction in various classrooms.  The WIDA Test, or World-Class International Design and Assessment, takes place every year in February for two weeks in 22 states.

The purpose of the testing is to evaluate ESOL, or English for Speakers of Other Languages, students and determine their ability to use English by making students partake in speaking, listening, reading and writing tests.  Students are scored on a scale on 1-6.

Ms. Audrey Dunnell, ESOL teacher and test proctor, talks about the history of WIDA. “Once upon a time, there was a president named Bush and he started the No Child Left Behind Act.  This allowed for the creation of WIDA to evaluate ESOL students.”

In 2007-2008, the first pilot tests of WIDA were given out for the first time in AHS.  “It’s a required test for ESOL students.  It’s like an ESOL SOL,” Administrator Vincent Randazzo said.

Although it seems the intent of WIDA testing is benevolent, most students and teachers either do not know about it or think it should be modified.  Sophomore Joshua Adoremos said, “I haven’t even heard of the WIDA test until today.”  Similar phrases were persistent from the voices of other AHS students today.

ESOL students either think that WIDA Testing is either a waste of their time or really beneficial.  “[The testing] was so easy.  It was way too easy,” said junior Md. Mohaiminul Islam.  Islam had taken Pre-IB English his freshman year.  Senior Mohammad Ali said, “The ESOL teachers put pressure on the students and the students get confused.  And then we fail.”  Islam and Ali have been living in the US for two and a half and for years respectively.  Both are from Bangladesh.

A contrasting point of view comes freshman Wendy Vasquez, “It helps us to learn and speak better.  I think it will help in my life later on.”  The testing may help or hinder some students, but it can frustrate teachers.

“[WIDA testing] is a problem because it determines if ESOL students go up ahead a level.  There are no retakes. This is not an appropriate use of the test and It takes power out of teachers’ hands.  I would go back to the county test.”  Ms. Dunnell’s thoughts raise the question of if changing or repealing parts of the No Child Left Behind Act and WIDA would be productive.  The WIDA website can be found here.

As WIDA testing continues throughout the week, some may wonder if it is effective, but AHS will have to wait until next year to see if anything changes.