Tim Boals, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Tim Boals is the Executive Director
of the WIDA Consortium. He holds a Ph.D.
in curriculum from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with
an emphasis in the education of English language learners. His background includes language education, educational policy for ELLs, and Spanish
language and literature.
As the WIDA Executive Director,
Tim oversees operations and long range planning efforts. He serves on the WIDA Research Subcommittee and his research interests involve the interplay between content and language learning for English language learners
across the language acquisition continuum and the effects of standards on classroom practice for these learners. He is currently collaborating on articles about WIDA's conceptualization of academic language and score validity issues pertaining to the use of large scale academic tests with beginner- to intermediate-level ELLs. Tim frequently presents at national and regional conferences on the challenges facing ELLs and how schools and educators can better meet their needs.
WIDA projects that Dr. Boals is particularly "jazzed" about include FLARE's development of formative classroom assessments for ELLs, ONPAR science and mathematics assessments, and the data-driven school improvement materials and processes under development through the LADDER program.
When not at WIDA, Tim likes to play guitar with his son, play racket sports with his daughter, and travel to interesting places with his wife.
Contact Information: tjboals@wisc.edu, 608-263-4326
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