Introduction
Under ESSA, all English Learner (EL) students with English Language Proficiency (ELP) levels 1-5 are required to take the state’s language assessment regardless of disability status. Unlike other statewide assessments, the ACCESS for ELLs® is administered in all grades Kindergarten through 12th grade. English learners with significant cognitive disabilities AND who are in Kindergarten, should participate in the ACCESS for ELLs® with or without accommodations.
The worksheet Individualized Education Program: Participation in Statewide English Language Proficiency Assessment Checklist and Accommodations is only applicable and should only be completed for students who are both limited English proficient/English Learner (LEP/EL) and have a disability. This worksheet has been developed to help IEP teams determine which language assessment a student should take and describe the language accommodations used, if any.
IEP teams are responsible for deciding annually whether students who are classified as EL and who have a disability will participate in (1) the ACCESS for ELLs® with or without accommodations, or (2) the Alternate ACCESS for ELLs™ with or without accommodations. 34 CFR § 300.320(a)(6)(ii); Wis. Stat. § 115.787(2). In general, students will participate in the ACCESS for ELLs® with or without accommodations. If the IEP team determines a student has a “most significant cognitive disability” and DPI model form I-7-A Participation Guidelines for Alternate Assessments has been completed, the student will take the Alternate ACCESS for ELLs.™
Review available test accommodations for I-7-ACCESS for ELLs®/Alternative ACCESS for ELLs™ (test administration procedures, accessibility tools, and accommodations) on the department's webpage. If the IEP team identifies an appropriate accommodation that is not listed, a written request for approval must be submitted to the DPI Office of Student Assessment at least two weeks prior to testing. Written consent for any alternate accommodation must be granted prior to its use.
Form Content and Explanations
Content: Complete “1” or “2.” Explanation: A student may be considered an eligible candidate for the Alternate ACCESS for ELLs™ only if the IEP team can answer “yes” to all three of the participation criteria on form I-7-A. 34 CFR § 300.320(a)(6); Wis. Stat. § 115.787(2). The Alternate ACCESS for ELLs™ is an assessment for students in grades 1-12 with the most significant cognitive disabilities for whom meaningful results cannot be obtained, even with accommodations on the ACCESS for ELLs™. If the English Learner meets the guidelines for participating in the Alternate ACCESS for ELLs™, the student completes this assessment for all four language domains: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Once section 1 or 2 is checked, complete Section A, B, C, and additional considerations.
Section 1
Content: Section A: Test Administration Procedures. Explanation: Please list any test administration procedures needed by the student. Be sure to refer to the DPI Office of Student Assessment webpage for allowable test administration procedures. Enter “None” if no test administration procedure accommodations are needed.
Content: Section B: Accessibility Tools. Explanation: Please list any embedded or nonembedded accessibility tools needed by the student. Be sure to refer to the DPI Office of Student Assessment webpage for allowable embedded and nonembedded accessibility tools. Enter “None” if no accessibility tools are needed.
Content: Section C: Accommodations. Explanation: Within the grid, identify whether the student will participate with or without accommodations for each four language domains. If the English Learner needs one or more accommodations for a specific language domain, check the “with accommodations” box and list the accommodation(s). 34 CFR § 300.320(a)(6)(i); Wis. Stat. § 115.787(2)(e). Be sure to refer to the DPI Office of Student Assessment webpage for allowable accommodations. Check the “without accommodations” box if no accommodations are needed in a particular language domain. All 4 charts must be completed.
Content: Additional Considerations. Explanation: Please list any additional considerations.