English Language Learners (ELLs) constitute the fastest-growing segment of the K-12 population. These students come to the classroom with varying levels of English proficiency and exposure. Educators and ELL students benefit from clear standards and consistent assessments as well as instructional materials that align to these standards to address ELLs’ needs.

WIDA (World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment) offers widely used standards and assessments for ELL students. Currently, there are 41 WIDA states, and Washington DC, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, and 500 international schools also participate in the WIDA Consortium.

Rosetta Stone for Schools is proud to provide a language learning curriculum and platform that aligns with WIDA standards to support educators.

What is WIDA?

WIDA is a comprehensive system of standards and assessments that educators and administrators employ when planning for and working with multilingual learners. Their standards are designed to address a wide variety of needs across academic subjects to support language development and learning at any grade level or proficiency.

The WIDA English Language Development (ELD) Standards Framework is a foundation for curricula, instructions, and assessments for multilingual learners ranging from kindergarten through grade 12. It consists of four components:

• WIDA ELD Standards Statements
• Key Language Uses
• Language Expectations
• Proficiency Level Descriptors

WIDA PRIME correlation

While WIDA does not endorse any specific instructional materials, the WIDA PRIME (Protocol for Review of Instructional Materials for ELLs) seal is available to instructional materials that have undergone a review of their correlation with the WIDA standards.

WIDA PRIME is a tool to provide educators with information when selecting instructional materials that correlate to WIDA English Language Proficiency Standards. There are 14 PRIME criteria: 

1. Linguistic Complexity
2. Vocabulary Usage
3. Language Control/Conventions
4. Presence of WIDA ELP Standards
5. Representation of Language Domains (Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing)
6. Differentiation of Language
7. Scaffolding Language Development
8. Language Functions – Attached to Context
9. Language Functions – Higher Order Thinking
10.  Content Stem – Coverage and Specificity of Example Topics 
11.  Content Stem – Accessibility to Grade Level Content
12.  Instructional Supports – Sensory Support 
13.  Instructional Supports – Graphic Support 
14.  Instructional Supports – Interactive Support

Rosetta Stone correlates with all 14 criteria and is listed for all grades K-12. See the entire review with correlations and justifications from WIDA PRIME on their materials list.

Rosetta Stone placement guides for WIDA Screener and ACCESS for ELLs

To further support educators that use WIDA standards and assessments, Rosetta Stone for Schools offers placement guides aligned with the WIDA Screener and ACCESS for ELLs. Found in our teacher resources, these guides are available for grades 6-8 and 9-12. They make getting started in Rosetta Stone easier by suggesting Rosetta Stone unit placement based on WIDA level from the student’s overall score.

Try Rosetta Stone in your classroom today to support your ELL students with our WIDA aligned curriculum and language learning platform. Contact us for more information!