It was impossible for students to not notice that standardized testing was going on during the past month.  With announcements for teachers to “check their email” happening every morning, it was clear somebody, somewhere was taking a test.

West students started taking WIDA on February 2 and finished on February 10.  The WIDA test was divided into four parts:  Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening.  Students took the test one at a time, which is why it took so long.  Not all students take the WIDA test, as it is meant for students who are learning English as a second language.  At Greeley West, that was 213 students.

The distractions to class each morning were worth it – every student but one took all four tests on time. Assistant Principal Mr. Aaron Allen said he hopes that every students “moves up a level.”

Although the official scores don’t come in until April, Allen said early signs look good.  “Our students are placed after they take the first two tests – they’re either placed in basic or advanced,” Allen said.  “We had many students placed in advance.  That’s a good sign that we’re  going to do well when results are released.”

 WIDA is most often used as a screening test to determine the language level of students entering a school system and how much they have grown each year in their use of English.  Students take the WIDA test from Kindergarten through Grade 12 unless they are scored as proficient in English.

The Greeley West WIDA testing is a bigger deal than it is at some other schools because of the number of students who don’t speak English.  This is because of the many refugees who aren’t from the United States. Students who received service in English are the ones tested on WIDA.

Sometimes, students students don’t get why they are taking the WIDA test, but the school is required to give it regardless.  Students will continue to take the test until they are better at speaking and writing the English language.