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.  Overall scores range from 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 with grade-level material
6 – Reaching
Knows and uses social and academic language at the highest level measured by this test

Exit Criteria
To exit the ESL program, students must score at least an overall 4.8 on the WIDA test.