Alabama
Member of the WIDA Consortium since 2004.
Assessments
Alabama uses WIDA MODEL for Kindergarten and WIDA Screener Online (through Maggie Hicks) for Grades 1-12 to identify English language learners (ELLs). WIDA ACCESS Online is given to all ELLs during the annual testing window, which usually takes place from late January through late March. WIDA ACCESS Paper administration requires SEA permission (through Maggie Hicks) and should be administered for IEP/504 plan requirements only.
Testing Dates
| TBD | WIDA AMS Test Setup Available for Registrations |
|---|---|
| TBD | Districts Receive Test Materials |
| TBD | Test Window |
| TBD | Additional Test Material Ordering Window in WIDA AMS |
| TBD | Deadline for Shipping Completed Test Materials to DRC - Postmark date |
| TBD | Districts Receive ACCESS and Alternate ACCESS Reports and Data - Posted in WIDA AMS |
| TBD | Districts Receive Printed ACCESS and Alternate ACCESS Reports |
| TBD | Updated ACCESS and Alternate ACCESS Data - Posted in WIDA AMS for SEA and Districts |
Requirements and Resources
Alabama assesses all students using WIDA ACCESS Online.
Specific details are as follows:
- WIDA ACCESS for Kindergarten is paper-based and given in a one-on-one format with a Test Administrator.
- WIDA Alternate ACCESS is paper-based and given in an one-on-one format with a Test Administrator. Students who will take WIDA Alternate ACCESS will be automatically placed into that test category based on their system coding.
- Grades 1-3 are considered Online testers, but will handwrite their Writing responses in a Writing response booklet.
- Grades 4-12 that take WIDA ACCESS Online will keyboard all Writing Responses. No materials orders for 4-12 grade Writing Response Booklets will be approved.
- Students who require Large Print, Braille, or Low Vision materials do not need SEA permission.
- Students with IEP/504 Plans that specify the student must take the test on paper will be allowed the accommodation if approved by ALSDE. An advance request must be submitted by the District Test Coordinator for consideration.
- Instructions for completing student demographic information on paper test booklets can be found in the Alabama Hand-Gridding Instructions document.
The sections below provide additional ALSDE information and resources, including the WIDA ACCESS Checklist where you can find each step in the ACCESS testing process.
WIDA ACCESS Online Checklist Identification and Placement Guidance
Professional Learning
WIDA Core Learning Collection
All educators in the WIDA Consortium have complete access to the self-paced workshops, on-demand videos and resources in the Core Learning Collection. Titles include:
Self-Paced Workshops
- Desarollando el español: las expectativas del lenguaje
- Developing Language for Learning in Mathematics
- Engaging Multilingual Learners in Science: Making Sense of Phenomena
- Evaluaciones del desarrollo del lenguaje a nivel de salón
- Exploring the WIDA PreK-3 Essential Actions
- Let’s Play! Multilingual Children’s Joyful Learning in PreK-3
- Making Language Visible in the Classroom
- Newcomers: Promoting Success through Strengthening Practice
- Reading Comprehension Across Content Areas with Multilingual Learners
- Reframing Education for Long-term English Learners
- Supporting Multilingual Learners With Disabilities in Language and Communication
- Teaching Multilingual Learners Social Studies through Multiple Perspectives
- The WIDA ELD Standards Framework: A Collaborative Approach
On-Demand Videos
- Exploring WIDA ACCESS for Kindergarten
- Exploring WIDA ACCESS Online 1–12
- Introduction to the Marco DALE
- Introduction to the WIDA English Language Development Standards Framework
- Understanding WIDA ACCESS Score Reports for Instruction
- Understanding WIDA Alternate ACCESS Score Reports
- WIDA Standards Frameworks for Bilingual Educators
Find all the Core Learning Collection offerings in the WIDA Secure Portal. Contact the WIDA Client Services Center at help@wida.wisc.edu or (866) 276-7735 to create a new WIDA Secure Portal account.