Welcome, Northern Mariana Islands!

Earlier this week, WIDA welcomed its 29^th Consortium member, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.  Similar to Massachusetts, which joined in June, the Northern Mariana Islands educators will be using the WIDA ELD Standards and will be administering the ACCESS for ELLs assessment.   

The Northern Mariana Islands are a chain of islands west of Hawaii and north of Australia.  Their public school system consists of twelve elementary schools, four junior high schools and five high schools.  During the 2011-2012 school year, a total of 11,011 students were enrolled in these schools.  Chamorro, English, Chinese and Philippine languages are commonly spoken among the residents of these beautiful islands.   

Part of CNMI Public School System mission statement reads:

To offer equal educational opportunity for all students by providing optimum curriculum, instruction, community service, and work experience in academic and career–technical education so that they become productive and contributing members of the Commonwealth and the global world

We are thrilled that the WIDA Consortium can assist in attaining this mission.  Here is the full map of the Consortium.  

On behalf of WIDA, hafa adai!  Subscribe to our blog for weekly tips on how to best educate the English language learners in your school.  


Written by: Tammy King

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net