Overview
Federal and state laws require that students identified as English Learners (ELs) be assessed annually to determine their level of English language proficiency (ELP) and ensure that they are progressing in achieving full English proficiency. This includes students who receive special education services.
In addition to meeting these statutory accountability requirements, the annual ELP assessment can be effectively used for planning and instructional purposes. It serves as the single most psychometrically valid and reliable measure of a student’s ELP.
Most ELs will take the WIDA ACCESS assessment annually. ELs recognized under the individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA; 2004) as having a significant cognitive disability and who are expected to participate in the Wisconsin Alternate Assessment are eligible to take the WIDA Alternate ACCESS in place of the WIDA ACCESS.
WIDA ACCESS is designed to measure English language proficiency. It is a large scale assessment that is based on the WIDA Consortium’s ELD Standards that form the core of Wisconsin’s approach to instructing and testing ELs.
WIDA Alternate ACCESS is designed to fill the same role as the regular WIDA ACCESS for students in grades K-12. This paper/pencil assessment is accessible for eligible students with significant cognitive disabilities.
WIDA ACCESS Ordering
Initial orders will be generated based on the roster uploaded in late October. Districts may order additional paper WIDA ACCESS test materials online via the WIDA AMS during the Additional Materials Window, which runs from late November until early February.
What's New
With the passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), all states are required to have consistent state-wide EL Entry and Exit procedures. To assist districts in moving towards a common practice, DPI has developed an EL Policy Handbook.
The Handbook covers in detail how to make initial EL Identification and Reclassification decisions. It also includes a number of form templates to help districts organize processes for serving and supporting ELs. The first chapter (00) provides a high-level summary of the entire EL support process, while subsequent chapters go into detail on these topics.