- The author piloted the reading and writing portions of the WIDA MODEL assessment with EL students in their class. - 65% of students who took both assessments met their growth targets. Reading and writing showed the largest average growth, while listening showed negative growth. - Based on the results, the author recommends starting benchmarking with the WIDA MODEL assessment in the fall and incorporating more active listening instruction. - The author is asking if the EL office can purchase an assessment kit to continue piloting the WIDA MODEL at the school.

1. 5/18/22, 4:26 PM Mail - Amescua, Rachel - Outlook
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WIDA MODEL Assessment Benchmarking Pilot Results
Amescua, Rachel <Rachel.Gould-Amescua@mnps.org>
Wed 5/18/2022 4:13 PM
To: Bailey, Angela G <Angela.Bailey@mnps.org>;Baker, Tara M <Tara.Baker@mnps.org>;Neal-Cockrill, Nae'Shara D
<NaeShara.Neal@mnps.org>;Economos, Alexandra N <Alexandra.Economos@mnps.org>
Cc: Stovall, Mary A <Mary.Stovall@mnps.org>;Economos, Alexandra N <Alexandra.Economos@mnps.org>;Stockslader Kipke,
Karen M <Karen.StocksladerKipke@mnps.org>;Sheffield, Jodi <Jodi.Sheffield@mnps.org>
Good Evening All!
Below is a report of the results of my pilot of the WIDA MODEL Assessment. The population include
students from my ELD-Link course with full test scores and target scores on the WIDA Access 2.0. I
attached my results to the email chain proposal for the WIDA Model Test Kit that we ordered last fall.
Background:
I piloted the reading and writing MODEL assessments with my EL Link students. They took the first
assessment in December and another benchmark at the beginning of February. Speaking and listening
assessments were not piloted this year. Results were discussed with students and used to guide
instruction and feedback. A student-friendly writing rubric was also developed and used to supply
students with writing feedback.
Results:

2. 5/18/22, 4:26 PM Mail - Amescua, Rachel - Outlook
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3. 5/18/22, 4:26 PM Mail - Amescua, Rachel - Outlook
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65% of the pilot students with complete scores and growth targets met their growth standards.
Domain: Average Growth:
Reading 1.1
Writing 0.66
Speaking 0.38
Listening -0.28
Composite 0.6
The largest average growth occurred in the benchmarked areas of Reading and Writing. Listening
displayed negative growth.
Conclusions:
The results on the reading and writing domains are encouraging though we need more than one year of
data. The negative growth in listening was surprising. I think that active listening skills measured in the
assessment need to be incorporated instruction next year especially in reference to discussion of
academic content.
I recommend starting the benchmarking process in the fall of next year in ELD-Link courses using the
WIDA Access Model Assessment materials.
Thank you!
Rachel
From: Economos, Alexandra N <Alexandra.Economos@mnps.org>
Sent: Thursday, October 28, 2021 12:06 PM
To: Bailey, Angela G <Angela.Bailey@mnps.org>
Cc: Amescua, Rachel <Rachel.Gould-Amescua@mnps.org>
Subject: Re: WIDA Model Test Funding Update
Hi Ms. Bailey!
So, I have not personally used the WIDA Model Test, but I do know it aligns directly with WIDA ACCESS
and has the potential to support in student preparation for the WIDA ACCESS test. It will also give
teachers a good idea of what progress students have made toward their ILP goals. I think Melissa and
Molly are great resources if you want to get more information about it because I know they have had
more experience with it. I asked Molly about an approved resources list, and she suggested to reach out
to the Title I specialist. Does that help at all? Thank you, Ms. Bailey!
Sincerely,
Alex Economos
ELD Coach
Serving Middle and High Schools in the North

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Select here for the EL Handbook
From: Bailey, Angela G <Angela.Bailey@mnps.org>
Sent: Thursday, October 28, 2021 11:18 AM
To: Economos, Alexandra N <Alexandra.Economos@mnps.org>
Cc: Amescua, Rachel <Rachel.Gould-Amescua@mnps.org>
Subject: FW: WIDA Model Test Funding Update
Good Morning Alex,
I just need some clarification on this program to ensure it meets are needs aligned
with EL goals and an approved measure by the district. Can you provide
clarification or let me know if I need to reach out to someone else? I guess it
would be a huge asset to have a list of approved resources for schools to purchase.
Angela Bailey
Executive Principal
McGavock High School
Nashville, TN 37214
615.885.8850 Ext 810471
angela.bailey@mnps.org
McGavock High School is a registered Cambridge Associate
From: Amescua, Rachel <Rachel.Gould-Amescua@mnps.org>
Sent: Thursday, October 28, 2021 8:55 AM
To: Bailey, Angela G <Angela.Bailey@mnps.org>
Cc: Neal-Cockrill, Nae'Shara D <NaeShara.Neal@mnps.org>
Subject: WIDA Model Test Funding Update
Good Morning!
Here is the final response from the EL Office. Alex sent me the response through text. I also attached the field data
report for the Model test to this email. Are we good to fund this with ESSER monies? Also, I am going to add this
to my doctoral internship work and my overall goal is to pilot here and then pilot at one of our feeder middle
schools and then a feeder elementary school.

5. 5/18/22, 4:26 PM Mail - Amescua, Rachel - Outlook
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Thanks!
Rachel Amescua
Sent from Mail for Windows
From: Amescua, Rachel
Sent: Friday, October 8, 2021 8:59 AM
To: Bailey, Angela G
Cc: Neal-Cockrill, Nae'Shara D
Subject: Fw: Follow Up and New Wonder
I inquired about the EL Office purchasing the WIDA Model Paper Kit for us to do the pilot this year. I sent
the inquiry as part of a follow up email with Alex, our district coach. This is the chain of command we
follow in EL for our district. Very seldom do we interact with Molly Hedgewood.
I highlighted the part of the email pertaining to this below. Also, there are links to information about the
kit and the field study.
We will see what we get!

6. 5/18/22, 4:26 PM Mail - Amescua, Rachel - Outlook
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Thanks!
Rachel
From: Amescua, Rachel <Rachel.Gould-Amescua@mnps.org>
Sent: Friday, October 8, 2021 8:54 AM
To: Economos, Alexandra N <Alexandra.Economos@mnps.org>
Subject: RE: Follow Up and New Wonder
Thank you so much for giving me these opportunities! I would love to work on Engaging Families PD.
As far as the building PLC, I am already running one here at McGavock with a book study. I am not sure if it would
be the best for the team me to do two. Jodi is also in my program. She might be interested in the McG PLC.
Also, new wonder…
I have been researching into the WIDA Model Assessment Paper as an interim assessment tool for the WIDA
Access. I have spoken with Mrs. Bailey and Dr. Neal and we are interested in piloting this assessment at
McGavock. There is an assessment kit that can be purchased from the WIDA Store and they did an extensive field
study with the program. I have attached the study here.
Is there any way that the EL Office can purchase the 180.00 kit for McGavock High School EL Department so that
we can do this pilot? We would test in December and use the results to guide instruction in the Spring.
Thanks!
Rachel
Sent from Mail for Windows
From: Economos, Alexandra N
Sent: Monday, October 4, 2021 8:50 AM
To: Amescua, Rachel
Subject: Re: Follow Up
Hey Rachel!
I just talked to Casey, and she would love to have your support with the district PD! There are a couple
of courses I thought might be up your alley (see the attached images for the courses I circled). One is
the Engaging Families PD. I am leading that one and we meet after fall break to get started. It goes live
at the end of November. The other is Tier + Content for ELs. That one is TBD for when it launches. It
will likely be worked on in Semester 2. Jon Auld and Alex Castillo are the coach leads on it.
Also, I'm wondering. Would you want to consider leading a PLC for content teachers at McGavock
with me supporting you? We could use some of the foundation's courses as our content. Or we could
use anything else that you think content teachers need? If could be held after school 2:15-3:15 for a
stipend for the teachers. Thoughts?
Thanks, Rachel!
Sincerely,

7. 5/18/22, 4:26 PM Mail - Amescua, Rachel - Outlook
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Alex Economos
ELD Coach
Serving Middle and High Schools in the North
Select here for the EL Handbook
From: Economos, Alexandra N
Sent: Wednesday, September 29, 2021 3:09 PM
To: Amescua, Rachel <Rachel.Gould-Amescua@mnps.org>
Subject: Follow Up
Hey love,
Go ahead and put in the materials that you need for the after-school program. Maggie said you can do
it anytime.
I reached out to Casey Minshall who oversees PD and she would love to have you support a PD. She's
going to see where there is room for support, and we will give you some options soon. Teams will start
to meet this coming quarter and next semester.
🙂
Best,
Alex Economos
ELD Coach
Serving Middle and High Schools in the North
Select here for the EL Handbook