Enriching collaboration and relection around data to support ELLs: LADDER works to build local capacity of districts and schools through the continuous improvement of programs, instruction, and assessment of ELLs.
 
 

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Welcome to LADDER!

Literacy in Assessment and Data Designed for Effective Results (LADDER) is a 12-18 month professional development offering that uses an ongoing coaching model to build local capacity of LADDER Coaches (district ELL, content and data specialists) to facilitate LADDER Leadership Teams (school-based teams of educators) as they move through a continuous improvement cycle for English language learners (ELLs). Designed for sustainability, the program is designed to develop the team's skills to systematically use data to make informed decisions related to instructional and programmatic improvements for language learners.

WIDA's professional development experts support LADDER Coaches and LADDER Leadership Teams as they work with their data, write an action plan and engage in a cycle of reflection and action. The dynamic program design offers LADDER sites high-quality, interactive on-site workshops, continuing technical assistance, networking opportunities, web-based resources and virtual learning through online tutorials on ELL best practices.

How can LADDER help your district and school? Explore the website to learn how the program works and the ways it can support your goals for improving ELL student achievement. Learn More

Testimonials

Breaking Barriers and Building Bridges:

"I believe that the LADDER program has assisted our school in breaking down some of those barriers and isolation that can often occur in schools. We have been sharing resources, instructional strategies and talking about our expectations through the LADDER Professional Development that had occurred in our building. Our participation in LADDER has helped us in bringing teachers together and understanding that these are all our students.”

—School Principal

Professional Development and WIDA LADDER Support:

"We have had many meetings during the initial phases of planning our goals. The support from the WIDA LADDER team we received during those staff development sessions really helped us in building our foundation knowledge on ELLs.That really helped show our staff the commitment and backing of the WIDA LADDER team. That added some weight to what we were trying to do"

— Content Teacher

Resources, Best Practices & Strategies for All Children:

“One of the biggest advantages of being part of the LADDER program is that it lets us hone in on the most current research and best practices. The LADDER ideas and strategies are useful to all of our student population and not just ELLs."

—ELL Teacher

Connecting Results of ACCESS for ELLs® and State Tests:

"The LADDER Data Retreat provided our leadership team a lot of guidance as we worked our way through crunching and understanding the data. The connection between ACCESS scores and other state tests was key. This helped us see how our kids do in specific areas and identify immediate areas of need."

—Assistant Principal

Access to Resources & Strategies in Action Plan Building:

"Participating in the LADDER program gave me the access to resources and literature which was very beneficial to our leadership team. We were also able to share strategies with the teachers. All this helped us immensely toward building our Action Plan."

—Content Teacher

Collaborating with LADDER Participants:

"The opportunity to collaborate and get ideas from other school districts through various LADDER retreats has been really valuable. This sharing has been a powerful motivator and helped us learn about the initiatives in other schools"

—ELL Coordinator

Being a Leader for ELLs:

"I definitely feel more prepared to be a leader for ELLs at my school. I hope to have more opportunities to show mainstream colleagues why this is so important!"

—Content Teacher