Alaska

Member of the WIDA Consortium since 2011.

Assessments

Alaska uses WIDA MODEL, WIDA Screener for Kindergarten, and WIDA Screener to identify English learners (ELs). WIDA ACCESS is given to all identified ELs during the annual testing window, which takes place from early February through late March.

Testing Dates

10/21/25 - 11/17/25Test Materials Ordering Available in WIDA AMS (LEAs)
12/10/25 - 3/31/26WIDA AMS Test Setup Available for Registrations
1/6/26Districts Receive Test Materials
2/2/26 - 3/31/26Test Window
1/6/26 - 3/24/26Additional Test Material Ordering Window in WIDA AMS
4/3/26Deadline for Shipping Completed Test Materials to DRC - Postmark date
5/28/26Districts Receive ACCESS and Alternate ACCESS Reports and Data - Posted in WIDA AMS
6/15/26Districts Receive Printed ACCESS and Alternate ACCESS Reports
7/15/26Updated ACCESS and Alternate ACCESS Data Posted in WIDA AMS

Resources and Requirements

See the sections below for state-specific information and resources related to EL assessments, including your state’s WIDA ACCESS Checklist, where you can find each step in the ACCESS testing process from beginning to end.

WIDA ACCESS Online Checklist WIDA ACCESS Paper ChecklistIdentification and Placement Guidance

State Testing Requirements

Alaska's ELs in Grades 1-12 will take either the paper-based or online version of WIDA ACCESS.

Note: WIDA ACCESS for Kindergarten and the WIDA Alternate ACCESS will remain paper-based tests.

Test Preparation and Training

Please contact WIDA Client Services or your District Test Coordinator to request a WIDA Secure Portal account.

  • Test Administrators are required to complete the applicable WIDA ACCESS training course, which includes passing a certification quiz. Log in to the WIDA Secure Portal to locate and enroll in the training course.
  • You will need to retake the training course each year for recertification. 
Manuals, Guides and Test Materials

Guidance for EL Student Identification, Assessment & Data Reporting

Bubbling in Demographic Information for Alaska Students

Alternate Scoring Process Guide

Standards and Instructional Support

The Alaska State Board of Education officially adopted the WIDA English Language Development Standards Framework, 2020 Edition in June, 2021. More information can be found on the Alaska Department of Education & Early Development’s English Language Proficiency Standards webpage. Resources and Professional Learning opportunities related to these standards can be found on WIDA’s ELD Standards Framework webpage. Please note that some of these resources require a WIDA Secure Portal account (contact your District Test Coordinator or help@wida.us for access).

Professional Learning

Beginning September 1st, educators in Alaska 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 the WIDA Secure Portal. To set up a Secure Portal account for Professional Learning, contact your District Test Coordinator or help@wida.us. You can also contact Eli Barsy at eli.barsy@alaska.gov or Rachel Schweissing at rachel.schweissing@alaska.gov

Contacts

Eli Barsy
Program Manager, Title III-A Lead
(907) 465-8141
eli.barsy@alaska.gov

Rachel Schweissing
District Test Coordinator Liaison
(907) 465-8433
rachel.schweissing@alaska.gov ​

WIDA Client Services Center
Contact us for questions about training materials or test administration procedures, classroom resources, or for problems with your WIDA Secure Portal account.

help@wida.wisc.edu
(866) 276-7735

Logging In

WIDA Secure Portal

Use the WIDA Secure Portal to access test training manuals and resources, as well as Online Professional Learning modules.

  • To obtain a new login, contact your District Test Coordinator.
  • New District Test Coordinators should contact Rachel Schweissing at rachel.schweissing@alaska.gov to create their account.
  • For assistance with your account, contact the WIDA Client Services Center at help@wida.wisc.edu or call (866) 276-7735.

WIDA Assessment Management System (WIDA AMS)

WIDA AMS is managed by our partner company Data Recognition Corporation (DRC). You can order ACCESS materials, manage your student and test information, and find technology resources and testing software through WIDA AMS.

  • To obtain a new login, contact your District Test Coordinator.
  • New District Test Coordinators should contact Rachel Schweissing at rachel.schweissing@alaska.gov to create their account.
  • For assistance accessing your account, contact DRC Customer Service at wida@datarecognitioncorp.com or call (855) 787-9615.