Skip to main content

FAQ

MLRC Member Network FAQs

What is the MLRC School Network? 

The MLRC School Network serves as a global research–practice partnership for international schools committed to improving outcomes for multilingual learners. A research–practice partnership is a collaborative, long-term relationship between researchers and practitioners designed to improve pressing shared problems. The MLRC School Network promotes collaboration both within and across schools. Through the MLRC School Network Hub and in-person events, MLRC members can identify problems of practice and learn about research relevant to multilingual learners within the international school context. Member schools will also be invited to participate in collaborative research projects to further examine common problems of practice within their school context and to explore patterns across the network.  

What are the benefits of MLRC School Network membership? 
  • Opportunities to participate in new research conducted in international contexts to advance outcomes for multilingual learners 
  • Connections to a global community of like-minded schools that want to engage in research about multilingual learners together 
  • Discounts on in-person MLRC Research Symposia  
  • Access to the online MLRC School Network Member Hub featuring: 
  • Opportunities to engage with other educators through online discussion organized around key MLRC research topics 
  • School improvement tools to enhance programs that serve multilingual learners, including guided inquiry into school-based problems of practice 
  • Expanded offering of curated research summaries and conference recordings 
  • MLRC webinars showcasing global scholars and the research findings of the MLRC 
  • Schools that use WIDA assessments benefit from 
  • A WIDA Toolkit including learning resources focused on using WIDA resources in international contexts
  • Unlimited staff enrollment in the WIDA Virtual Institute, an introduction to how assessments and standards can be used together 

 The MLRC and WIDA are separate entities housed alongside other research organizations in the Wisconsin Center for Education Research at the University of Wisconsin—Madison. Learn more about WIDA. 

How can my school engage in research with the MLRC School Network?

As a global research-practice partnership, we are excited to engage in collaborative, long-term relationships with international schools to improve problems of practice. Currently, MLRC School Network members can read and post to discussions with both the MLRC and fellow members through the MLRC School Network Hub. Educators can join an MLRC Research Symposium to engage in-person with MRLC and peer educators. Through this partnership you will help co-create the MLRC research agenda which will inform future Research Topics and projects. Beginning in 2024, MLRC School Network member schools will have the opportunity to dive deeper into their problems of practice through collaborative research projects.  

Is MLRC research just for EAL teachers? 

All educators at MLRC School Network member schools are welcome and encouraged to engage! Classrooms around the world are increasingly diverse and all educators can benefit from learning more about how to support their multilingual students. School leaders, specialists and content teachers each bring valuable perspectives that are necessary for school inquiry and improvement.  

How do we join the MLRC School Network? 

The MLRC School Network annual membership extends from January 1 to December 31 each year. To celebrate its inaugural year, the MLRC is offering a membership incentive to schools who join early. Schools that join before December 31, 2023 receive membership valid through December 31, 2024. 

How much does it cost to join the MLRC School Network?
The annual membership fee for the MLRC School Network varies based on school enrollment. Read more about membership fees. 
What learning opportunities does the MLRC School Network host? 

Find upcoming MLRC-hosted events here! 

How can we learn more about the MLRC? 

Contact Us to receive news and updates about the MLRC. 

My school has joined the MLRC Network. Now what? 
Who can have an account in the MLRC School Network Member Hub?

WIDA is coordinating with schools who have remaining WIDA International membership credit. Schools can use their credit to join the MLRC School Network at a special first-year rate before October 1, 2023. If schools choose not to join the MLRC, they will receive a number of WIDA MODEL Online administrations based on the remaining number of months of membership. For more information, please contact the WIDA Client Services Center at help@wida.us.  

WIDA established the International School Consortium in 2013 to create a community of independent and international schools using WIDA resources to serve multilingual learners. WIDA’s international team built and nurtured this global network of schools. Now we have the opportunity to reimagine how we serve international schools, shifting from a global assessment network to a global research network. This shift — inspired by the innovative work that began during the pandemic — leverages the excitement and synergy that was developed in the 2020 WIDA Global Community of Practice by migrating the network to a new research-focused center. Being a part of the Multilingual Learning Research Center (MLRC) allows this network to sustain support for international schools, provide many similar services and start new activities that come from being a research-practice partnership. Learn more about this transition in WIDA News and WIDA FAQ. 

Close Menu