In 2011-12, WIDA is sponsoring a video submissions contest for educators of English language learners (ELLs)!
Download the full information packet and application form 
Purpose: WIDA would like to learn about, celebrate, and share model classroom practices that develop all students' academic language and advance ELL achievement. We therefore are requesting 5- to 10-minute video submissions that include:
- Classroom interactions and/or activities that promote effective teaching, learning, and/or assessment of content and language for ELLs;
- Educator reflections/interviews on those classroom events. (Student and other participant reflections are welcome but not required.)
Deadline: A DVD with the video as well as a completed one-page application form and signed release forms must be postmarked no later than March 31, 2012, to be eligible for awards. An awards committee comprised of WIDA Consortium educators and staff will review the submissions during April and notify awardees in May.
Prizes: All Consortium members who successfully complete the submission process will receive a free copy of the 2012 elementary or secondary English Language Development Standards booklet. The first-place award winner will receive a $1,000 cash prize and a scholarship for the awardee and a colleague to attend a 2012 WIDA Professional Development academy. The second-place award winner will receive a $500 cash prize and a scholarship for the awardee and a colleague to attend a 2012 WIDA Professional Development academy. The third-place award winner will receive a $250 cash prize and a scholarship for the awardee and a colleague to attend a 2012 WIDA Professional Development academy.
| Video Contest Entry Specifications and Guidelines |
| Length |
5-10 minute video recording |
| Deadline |
Postmarked by March 31, 2012 |
| Format |
DVD plus one-page application and signed release forms |
| Permissions |
For all persons appearing in the recording, signed WIDA release forms are required. Students under 18 years of age require a WIDA parental release form. |
| Content |
Classroom event that responds to one or more Guiding Question (see information packet above) and educator reflection(s) on that event. |
If you have any questions, please e-mail Connie North (cenorth@wisc.edu).
Support WIDA Product Development
WIDA always involves teachers from member states in its development processes to ensure that products are relevant for use with students. These tasks include test item development, content and bias reviews, alignment, drafting and reviewing publications, and a variety of other tasks.
Assessment
To participate in test item development or content and bias reviews, please contact Carsten Wilmes.
Publications and Feedback Surveys
To participate in the drafting or reviewing of publications, please contact Andrea Cammilleri.
From time to time, WIDA will send out surveys to solicit the valued opinions of ELL educators. If you would like to have your opinion included, please contact Danielle Maillette.
SLD Standards
Now through February 17, 2012, WIDA is conducting surveys as part of a research study called "Exploratory study of expressive language domains in academic Spanish." As part of this research, we invite all educators who are familiar with students receiving content instruction in Spanish to participate in an online survey to provide feedback on speaking and writing prompts related to the areas of language arts and mathematics. To learn more and start the survey, please visit the SALSA page.
Share Your Experience
WIDA deeply values collaborating with educators from across the Consortium. If you would like to share your experience (such as this teacher reflection or this blog about favorite lessons 
) please contact Andrea Cammilleri.
Dual Language Listserv
Many dual language educators believe that the requirements of No Child Left Behind (NCLB) make it difficult for dual language schools to meet annual yearly progress (AYP) indicators, resulting potentially in undeserved sanctions for schools. The upcoming reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) offers dual language educators an opportunity to have an impact on federal policies that will improve the recognition of their unique needs and strengths.
WIDA has agreed to host a Listserv to allow dual language educators across the U.S. an opportunity to dialogue, share best practices, and strategize about new policies that promote and support high quality dual language practices and outcomes. Administrators and teachers from Nuestro Mundo, Inc., Madison, Wisconsin's first dual language immersion school, have agreed to serve as Listserv moderators to stimulate the conversation. WIDA staff will participate only minimally as they want to encourage educators in the field to be the main contributors to this Listserv.
WIDA will also be providing technical support for the Listserv. If you wish to subscribe, please send an email to Bob Rossa at and write "Subscribe to Dual Language Listserv" in the subject line.
Educating English Learners
This course is designed to support preK-12 educators--teachers, support staff, and administrators--who are making decisions as to program and staffing designs, support services and resources, and educational approaches for English learners. Based on a sociocultural view of schooling for English learners, it draws on the lives and experiences of 5 students from diverse backgrounds in different locales to illuminate issues that impact the language, literacy and academic development of English learners in schools. Through viewing videos of students, readings, collaborative discussions and activities, course participants will engage in analyses of issues, and applications of course content to their specific sites and contexts.
To learn more, including dates, cost, and objectives, please download the course flyer .
You may also preview a trailer of the course videos (Note: The videos are offered in high resolution and low resolution formats. It is recommended that you try to view the high res format for a clear view of all text and graphics. If you have trouble with the high res format, please try the low res format.)
This course can be taken for three graduate-level credits or as a non-credit offering. It is intended for teachers, staff, and administrators who are currently practicing in schools. For registration information or questions, please contact Lisa Hebgen, Education Outreach & Partnerships, at, or 608-263-0951.
Standards-Based Test Item Writing and WIDA Teacher Collaboration
ESL and general education teachers are invited to enroll as partners in the intensive WIDA Online Item Writing Course and learn to prepare standards-based language proficiency assessment tasks for ACCESS for ELLs.
For more information, including application deadlines, please see our page on Item Writing.
Attend the Common Core and More (CoCoMo) Institute
June 10-15, 2012, Santa Fe, NM
CoCoMo is a joint project between WIDA and the Illinois Resource Center. Districts from across the Consortium are invited to send a team of teachers, school leaders and administrators to the training. Over the course of the week, your Professional Learning Team will be guided through a structured process that will “unpack” the standards and connect the academic language of the content standards to the appropriate language standards. Participants will design an articulated plan for standards referenced curriculum, instruction and assessment for their language education programs.
The training will be differentiated for:
- Teams interested in working exclusively with the Common Core and the English Language Development Standards
- Teams interested in working with the Common Core, English and Spanish Language Development Standards (i.e., bilingual/dual language programs)
Join us in coordinating the use of multiple sets of standards to support the academic language development of language learners.
Standards of focus include:
- Common Core State Standards
- State Content Standards
- English Language Development Standards
- Spanish Language Development Standards
- Spanish Language Arts Standards
Professional Learning Teams will be guided through a structured process that will:
- Identify the knowledge and skills of content standards
- Analyze the academic language demands of that content
- Connect the academic language of content standards to language standards
- Decide how to use academic language in planning for learning
Read more about the institute in WIDA's blog
Location:
Hilton Santa Fe Historic Plaza
100 Sandoval Street
Santa Fe, NM 87501
Cost: $1,875 (there will be a $100 per person discount for teams of three or more)
Includes:
- Five days of training
- Breakfast Monday through Friday
- Lunch Monday through Wednesday
- A copy of Common Language Assessment for English Learners by Margo Gottlieb
- A Copy of the WIDA 2012 edition of English Language Development Standards
Download the Brochure (includes Registration Form)