Montana
Member of the WIDA Consortium since 2011.
Assessments
Montana uses WIDA Screener for Kindergarten, WIDA MODEL for Kindergarten, and WIDA Screener (for Grades 1-12) to identify English language learners (ELLs). WIDA ACCESS is given to all ELLs during the annual testing window, which typically lasts from early December through late February.
Testing Dates
| 12/3/25 - 3/6/26 | WIDA AMS Test Setup Available for Registrations |
|---|---|
| 12/16/25 - 12/17/25 | Districts Receive Test Materials |
| 12/16/25 - 2/27/26 | Additional Test Material Ordering Window in WIDA AMS |
| 1/5/26 - 3/6/26 | Test Window |
| 3/12/26 | Deadline for Shipping Completed Test Materials to DRC - Postmark date |
| 4/28/26 | Districts Receive ACCESS and Alternate ACCESS Reports and Data - Posted in WIDA AMS |
| 5/11/26 | Districts Receive Printed ACCESS and Alternate ACCESS Reports |
Requirements and Resources
See below for state-specific information and resources related to ELL assessment, including your state’s WIDA Checklist, where you can find each step in the ACCESS testing process from beginning to end.
WIDA ACCESS Checklist Identification and Placement Guidance
- State Testing Requirements
- Montana uses WIDA ACCESS Online. WIDA Alternate ACCESS and WIDA ACCESS for Kindergarten are paper-based assessments.
- Students in Grades 4-5 keyboard their responses to the Writing test, but districts may change to a handwriting response mode if more appropriate for their students.
- ACCESS training courses are available through the WIDA Secure Portal. System Test Coordinators create accounts for Test Administrators to access these training courses.
- Test Preparation and Training
- WIDA ACCESS training materials can be found on the WIDA Secure Portal. Contact your System Test Coordinator if you do not have an account on the Secure Portal.
- WIDA Screener for Kindergarten and WIDA Screener training and test materials can be accessed through the WIDA Secure Portal. Contact your System Test Coordinator if you need an account.
- To be certified to administer WIDA assessments, including ACCESS, you must complete the applicable online training course.
- You may view your current certifications on your My Profile page in the WIDA Secure Portal. Contact your System Test Coordinator to find out whether a physical copy is needed for their records.
- Test Administrators must take the certification quizzes and recertify every two years or any time an assessment changes. OPI recommends that Test Administrators always review the training materials prior to administration, especially for components where the TA will be scoring the responses.
- Manuals, Guides and Test Materials
Montana’s ELP Guidance for School Districts – This guide contains state-specific information regarding identification and placement, ELL programs and services, ELL assessments in Montana, and state reporting requirements.
Standards and Instructional Support
The WIDA ELD Standards Framework, 2020 Edition is now available. To learn more about Montana’s timeline for rollout and implementation of the 2020 Edition, please visit the Office of Public Instruction’s website.
Professional Learning
Educators in Montana have access to WIDA's Self-Paced Workshops. View the Self-Paced Workshops flyer for full descriptions and intended audiences.
All Self-Paced Workshops are free and available in in the WIDA Secure Portal. Don't have a WIDA Secure Portal account? Contact the Montana OPI Assessment Team at 1.844.867.2569.