WIDA Early Years Sunsetting June 30, 2023

WIDA Early Years as a membership program for Pennsylvania is ending June 30, 2023. The four current free one-hour, self-paced, WIDA Early Years trainings that are in the PD Registry will no longer be available as of July 1, 2023. WIDA Early Years training coursework must be completed by July 1, 2023, to receive credit for the training.

Trainers who completed the WIDA cohort may still offer in-person WIDA courses in the PD Registry for a fee.

Although the WIDA Early Years program is ending, WIDA will continue to make PreK–3 resources available on the WIDA website under Early Language Development (this page will be renamed Teaching in PreK–3 starting July 1, 2023). Dual language learner resources can also be found at pakeys.org/dual-language-learners.

As of September 1, 2023, WIDA will offer two new PreK-3 resources:

1. A new self-paced workshop, Exploring the WIDA PreK-3 Essential Actions, will introduce educators to the new WIDA PreK-3 Essential Actions. Educators will have an opportunity to build their knowledge and understanding of the Essential Actions and to reflect on their own ideologies, practices, and settings. Access to the course will require a WIDA Secure Portal account. Search the training calendar in the PD Registry for Exploring the WIDA PreK-3 Essential Actions or contact Barry Wiestling (bwiestling@pa.gov) for information about how to set up a WIDA Secure Portal account and access this and other WIDA self-paced offerings.
2. A new Are We Ready? This resource will support PreK–3 educators to promote and provide equitable transitions for multilingual children and their families as they move through PreK-3. This resource will be available on the WIDA website.

Questions? Contact Barry Wiestling (bwiestling@pa.gov).