• WIDA ACCESS English Language Proficiency Assessments

    WIDA ACCESS is the state-mandated English Language Proficiency assessment for English learners in grades K-12 in Indiana. The purpose of the assessment is to determine students’ level of English proficiency. The WIDA ACCESS assessment replaced the LAS Links assessment since the 2014-15 school year. ACCESS consists of three major components; the WIDA Screener for Grades 1-12 (K W-APT for Kindergarten), ACCESS for ELLs, and Alternate ACCESS for ELLs.

    WIDA Screener for Grades 1-12 (K W-APT for Kindergarten) 

    The WIDA Screener is an English proficiency assessment given to students in grades 1–12 at the time of enrollment in school. The purpose of the assessment is to determine students' eligibility of receiving English language development services. This is an online test.
     
    K W-APT is given to kindergarten students and is paper-based. The test items are written from the model performance indicators of WIDA's five English Language Proficiency (ELP) standards: Social & Instructional Language, Language of Language Arts, Language of Mathematics, Language of Science, and Language of Social Studies.
     
    Learn more:

    Kindergarten W-APT: https://wida.wisc.edu/assess/kwapt

    ACCESS for ELLs

    The ACCESS for ELLs (Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State-to-State for English Language Learners) is an annual assessment which is administered each year (January through February) to determine a student's current level of English proficiency. The results of the annual assessment are also used for school accountability purposes. The criteria for fluent English proficiency used in Indiana is an Overall Composite Proficiency Level of 5.0 or higher.
     
    WIDA ACCESS 2.0 Testing Modes 
     
    WIDA ACCESS for ELLs 2.0 will be the online state adaptive test for grades 1 though 12 this school year.  This means that English learners in grades 1 through 12 will be taking the test using a computer. Students will progress through the test based on their performance on previous questions and domains.  The writing portion for grades 1-5 will remain in paper format.  The Kindergarten and Alternate ACCESS for ELLs assessments will also remain paper-based.
     
     Domain  Kindergarten  Grade 1-5  Grades 6-12
     Listening  Paper  Online  Online
     Reading  Paper  Online  Online
     Speaking  Paper  Online  Online
     Writing  Paper  Paper  Online
     
    ACCESS test items are written from the model performance indicators of WIDA's five English Language Proficiency (ELP) standards: Social & Instructional Language, Language of Language Arts, Language of Mathematics, Language of Science, and Language of Social Studies. 
     
    Test Sample Items 
     
    WIDA has provided some ACCESS for ELLs sample test items to show educators, students, parents/guardians, and the general public the test content and language demands that may be found on the actual ACCESS for ELLs test. Please visit the link below to review the sample test items. A generic username and password will be displayed on the login page for you to use.
     
    ACCESS for ELLs Sample Test Items (www.wida.us)
     
    Exit Criteria for Annual Testing 
     
    In Indiana, English learners must obtain composite/overall English proficiency of 5.0 or higher to be considered as fluent English proficient. English learners who obtained composite/overall English proficiency of 5.0 or higher in spring 2018 will NOT need to participate in WIDA ACCESS for ELLs spring 2019. However, the school still must monitor the student’s academic progress for two years.
      
    To learn more about ACCESS for ELLs, visit the WIDA website below:
     
    Alternate ACCESS for ELLs
     
    Alternate ACCESS for ELLs is an assessment of English language proficiency (ELP) for students in grades 1-12 who are classified as English language learners (ELLs) and have significant cognitive disabilities that prevent their meaningful participation in the ACCESS for ELLs assessment. The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB; 2001) requires that all students identified as ELLs be assessed annually for English language proficiency, including students who receive special education services.
     
    Alternate ACCESS for ELLs aligns with the WIDA Alternate English Language Proficiency levels. These levels were designed to expand upon Level P1 - Entering, by increasing the sensitivity of the measure for students who have significant cognitive disabilities.
     
    Learn more about Alternate ACCESS: Alternate ACCESS (www.wida.us)
     
    Testing Accommodations
     
    The WIDA ACCESS assessment is designed with built-in universal design tools available for all English learners to show what they know at their best through the assessment. In addition, there are a few special accommodations for English learners with an IEP. More information about the accommodations is outlined in the WIDA Assessment Guidance (Indiana Department of Education) found at Indiana WIDA Assessment Guidance.
     
    English Language Proficiency Levels
     
    English Language Proficiency Levels range from 1.0 to 6.0.  The chart below shows the levels.
    elp levels