A gap in our assessment capability has existed in our ability to prepare for WIDA testing: both the students’ ability to practice the assessment in a meaningful way and in teachers’ ability to progress monitor students to adjust instruction to maximize effectiveness.
There are now a few companies providing this capability. The two programs receiving the highest reviews are Flashlight 360 and Summit K12. Of the two existing programs, we believe Summit K12’s Connect to Literacy program to be the better choice. The big reason for me is the ability to progress monitor all 4 WIDA domains and Flashlight 360 only monitors speaking and writing. We also believe the lesson supplements in Summit K12 are higher quality. However, for an official adoption, we will need to go through a formal Request for Proposal document, which will take more time than we have before the school year ends. Another new factor for consideration: I recently learned from Ellevation that they are currently in program creation and plan to release a program next spring, which is of interest due to our current use and satisfaction of their existing programs. While I am excited to see what they release, I also want to be responsive to the request I have received from several of you for a progress monitoring tool. For this reason, we have come up with a plan.
If you would like to purchase Summit K12, understanding it might only be for one year, we want to support you in that purchase. I will cover the cost of teacher licenses and training, and you will cover the cost of student licenses at $29.95 per student. If I am able to cover more of the costs once I know how many we anticipate participating this year, I will let you know the reduced cost. If you are an elementary or middle school and have not yet spent your Title 3 funds, this would be a great way to use it!
My recommendation: if you and your staff have been discussing the need for this type of product, especially if you have already reached out to our department asking about such a thing, I recommend you try it for the 2025-2026 school year. If this is a new consideration for you and your staff, I might encourage you to wait until we do an adoption in case something better comes along.
Regardless of your decision, please take a moment to answer this short survey by Friday, May 9. This will help me know that all schools have had an opportunity to consider it. https://forms.office.com/r/urB65XEru2
Below you will find information on the Summit K12 Connect to Literacy program. If you have additional questions, please reach out to Monty Eyink or me.
About Summit K12
From English learners, multilingual students, bilingual students and dual language learners who are struggling to read or write, Summit K12’s online, standards-based supplemental curriculum will close gaps and ensure growth for all students.
About Summit K12’s Connect to Literacy
Connect to Literacy (C2L) is a cutting-edge solution designed to enhance English language proficiency by leveraging the strengths of an online curriculum. A supportive online environment designed to fast-track English language learning, aid in quicker reclassification and vocabulary growth, and accelerate speaking, listening, reading, and writing development.
Designed Outcomes of the Connect to Literacy program:
- Empower all multilingual learners (MLLs) to grow at least one proficiency level per year or your money back
- Accelerate the reclassification of MLLs, including long-term ELs
- Support every newcomer student with Language Foundation Skills and support of over 30 home languages
AI Auto-Scoring for Speaking and Writing
- Years of intensive research and development and the analysis of thousands of actual teacher-rated English learner recordings and constructed response writing items
- Dynamically evaluates 112 linguistic speaking dimensions
- Rates student recordings by using artificial intelligence (AI)
- Streamlines scoring of speaking and writing item types
3 Progress Monitoring ELD BENCHMARKS
Success with C2L is centered around the 3 ELD Progress Monitoring Benchmarks students take throughout the year which generate 3 corresponding Personalized Learning Plans (PLPs) and class grouping reports.
Personalized Learning Plans
The PLPs are divided into four domains: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Each PLP is designed to focus on the specific concepts and skills that each student needs the most. Students can progress through their PLP assignments at their own pace.
Each PLP contains:
- Video lesson models, guided practice, assessments and model exemplars
- Scaffolded and linguistically accommodated instruction
- AI auto-scoring for Speaking and Writing item types
- Comprehensive progress-monitoring and reports for teachers
Year-Round STATE ELD Assessment Readiness
C2L’s content is based on ELD Standards Framework, consisting of four components: ELD Standards, Key Language Uses, Language Expectations, and Proficiency Level Descriptors. Through accounting for all of these components and the three difficulty tiers, C2L’s program contains more than 1,400 unique items leveled to all grade-level clusters: K, 1, 2-3, 4-5, 6-8, and 9-12.
Learn more at: https://www.summitk12.com/wida/
