The CAN DO WIDA Descriptors

The CAN DO WIDA Descriptors

What is CAN DO ?


The CAN DO Descriptors expand the Performance Denitions for
the ELP standards by giving suggested in each language domain:
listening, speaking, reading and writing.

The CAN DO Descriptors are written for the entire preK-12
spectrum. It is important to acknowledge the variability of
students cognitive development due to age, grade level spans,
diagnosed learning disabilities and their diversity of educational
experiences. Due to maturation, expectations of young ELLs dier
substantially from those of older students.

The CAN DO WIDA Descriptors

What CAN DO can do?


The CAN DO Descriptors provides a starting point for working with
ELLs and a collaborative tool for planning.

The CAN DO descriptors are also general enough to be appropriate
to share with students family members to help them understand
the continuum of English language development.
The CAN DO WIDA Descriptors

What CAN DO can do for ELL teachers?

The Descriptors have greater instructional implications. The
information may be used to plan dierentiated lessons or unit
plans.

The Descriptors may also apply to ACCESS for ELLs scores and
may assist teachers and administrators in interpreting the meaning
of the score reports.
The Descriptors may help explain the Speaking and Writing Rubrics
associated with the ELP test.

A distinguish feature of these Descriptors is the presence of
sensory, graphic or interactive support, through ELP level 4, to
facilitate ELLs access to content in order to succeed in school
The CAN DO WIDA Descriptors

How might teachers use CAN DO

Share with classroom teachers as a way to describe or explain the stages of
English language development using concrete examples

Work with content teachers to show language may be integrated within a
given discipline or content area

Use to plan with tutors or mentors who work with English language learners

Develop or co-develop lessons with differentiated language objectives

Set language goals with their English language learners

The CAN DO WIDA Descriptors

How might teachers use CAN DO

Explain students progress in listening, speaking, reading and
writing to parents/ family members

Suggest language goals to be incorporated into Individual
Education Programs (IEPs) for English language learners with
diagnosed disabilities

Translate English language proficiency test scores into
instructional practice

Observe and note levels of student performance as a precursor
to using WIDA Speaking and Writing rubrics for formative
assessment

Advocate on behalf of English language learners to show what
they CAN DO

The CAN DO WIDA Descriptors

Teachers reflections about CAN DO

Help teachers to providing instruction that are matched to what
each student can do at their level in each language domain

Easy format to replicate and provide differentiated instruction