ACCESS Test/WIDA Screener Updates from DPI

We want to share these few updates regarding ACCESS information and data uploads since some of these updates will occur yet this month.

ACCESS for ELLs Reminders:

Accountability Update

DPI plans to upload ACCESS results to WISEdash in September and calculate on-track information at that point in time.

Fall Restart and Screening

For questions regarding screening/rescreening in the fall, making up for missing or incomplete ACCESS tests from last school year, etc., please see our COVID Impacts on EL Assessment document, offered as a supplement to our EL Policy Handbook. This page also includes supplemental guidance for using the new WIDA Screener for Kindergarten.

Permissions for New DACs

New schools and DACs will be added to the WIDA AMS on September 27. If you need to screen students prior to this date and do not have an account in the WIDA AMS, please contact Jesse Roberts.

WIDA Online K-Screener

Preparing for and Administering WIDA Screener for Kindergarten

Log in to the WIDA Secure Portal to access the training course, the Test Administrator Manual, and to download and print all test materials. All test administrators MUST complete the online course prior to administering the new K Screener.

ACCESS Scores Coming Soon!!!

ACCESS scores are arriving soon! Here are the upcoming report access dates:

4/23/19              Districts receive reports – Online

5/3/19                Districts receive reports – Printed

4/23/19-5/7/19 Post-reporting data validation – LEAs in AMS

5/21/19              Data available to State

Don't forget to check out the great resources available for teachers and families available on the WIDA website to help interpret and communicate results: WIDA Resource Library

EL Supports for ACT Question/Response

Here is some information from Dee Thompson, one of our educational consultants here at CESA 11 who works with assessments. She posed an assessment question to the DPI about EL testing accommodations for the ACT and received an answer back to confirm the accommodation.

• Q: Can an EL student test in a small group setting WITHOUT approval from ACT if it is the only accommodation they will be using?  Small group setting is marked with an "E" and a superscript of 6 and 7 in the List of Allowable Accessibility Supports, which means that it can be used by anyone without approval, but with planned administration to make sure there are enough administrators to give the test with fidelity.  However, the support is also listed as one of the 4 NEW EL supports needing approval.

• A: If small group is the only accommodation for state testing, that falls under local arrangements, and DOES NOT need to be submitted through TAA, and will result in a college-reportable score (assuming all other standard time rules/guidelines are followed correctly). 

EL Testing for ITs - WIDA Screener & ACCESS

Here is a link to some information from the DPI that you may want to share with your ITs about the tech requirements for WIDA Screener and ACCESS testing this school year:

EL Testing for ITs