Title III, Part A - Parent Resources
South Carolina has been a member of the WIDA consortium since 2013. The WIDA Consortium is made up of 40 U.S. states, territories and federal agencies dedicated to the research, design and implementation of a high-quality, culturally and linguistically appropriate system to support English language learners in K-12 contexts. This comprehensive system, based on research and educator feedback, is built on standards, assessments and professional learning.
WIDA draws its strength from its mission, vision, and values—the Can Do Philosophy, innovation, service, collaboration, and social justice. This belief system underscores the cultural, social, emotional, and experiential assets of multilingual learners, their families, and educators. It acts as a unifying force that gives the consortium its strength of conviction and action throughout the PreK-12 education community.
What are WIDA Standards?
The WIDA English Language Development (ELD) Standards Framework, along with our State Academic Standards provide a foundation for curriculum, instruction and assessment for multilingual learners in kindergarten through grade 12. The ELD Standards Framework is centered on equity and fosters the assets, contributions and potential of multilingual learners.
Click on the button below to see the WIDA Standard for each grade:
In accordance with federal and state requirements, all Multilingual Students are administered ACCESS for ELLs 2.0 yearly. It is used to help determine the English proficiency level of Multilingual Learners in listening, speaking, reading and writing in English.
The results from the ACCESS test are used for state and federal accountability purposes, to help inform decision making regarding individual students, and as a way to show students and parents the progress a student has made.
ACCESS scores are reported in terms of "Levels of Proficiency". A student's level of English Proficiency is categorized in one of WIDA's 6 levels of English Language Development.
| English Proficiency Level | WIDA English Language Development Level |
| Level 1 | Entering |
| Level 2 | Emerging |
| Level 3 | Developing |
| Level 4 | Expanding |
| Level 5 | Bridging |
| Level 6 | Reaching |