• Levels of English Language Proficiency

    The State of Michigan uses the WIDA test to assess students in listening, speaking, reading, writing, and comprehension of the English language.  The test is given to all EL students in the spring of each year.  Scores range from a 1.0 to 6.0.  Below are the six  levels of proficiency.

                 1 – Entering

                       Knows and uses minimal social language and minimal academic language with visual and graphic support

                 2 – Emerging

                       Knows and uses some social English and general academic language with visual and graphic support

                 3 – Developing

                       Knows and uses social English and some specific academic language with visual and graphic support

                 4 – Expanding

                       Knows and uses social English and some technical academic language

                 5 – Bridging

                       Knows and uses social and academic language working with grade level material

                 6 – Reaching

                        Knows and uses social and academic language at the highest level measured by this test

     

    Exiting  Criteria

    In order to exit the ESL program, students must score at least a 4.8 on the WIDA test.