Bureau of Indian Education
Member of the WIDA Consortium since 2016.
Assessments
BIE 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 takes place in February.
Testing Dates
| 9/22/26 - 10/15/26 | Test Materials Ordering via WIDA AMS (LEAs/Schools) |
|---|---|
| 10/29/26 - 2/5/27 | WIDA AMS Test Setup Available for Registrations |
| 11/20/26 - 11/23/26 | Schools Receive Test Materials |
| 12/1/26 - 1/29/27 | Test Window |
| 11/16/26 - 1/19/27 | Additional Test Material Ordering Window in WIDA AMS |
| 2/5/27 | Deadline for Shipping Completed Test Materials to DRC (Postmark date) |
| 2/23/27 - 3/8/27 | Pre-Reporting Data Validation – LEAs/Schools in WIDA AMS |
| 4/27/27 | Districts Receive ACCESS and Alternative ACCESS Reports and Data - Posted in WIDA AMS |
| 5/10/27 - 5/14/27 | Districts Receive Printed ACCESS and Alternate ACCESS Reports |
| 6/10/27 | Updated ACCESS and Alternate ACCESS Data - Posted in WIDA AMS for SEA and Schools |
Resources and Requirements
See below for state-specific information and resources related to ELL assessment, 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
- Agency Testing Requirements
Use the BIE Home Language Survey (HLS) at initial enrollment to determine the presence of other languages that may impact students’ academic performance. Refer to the Identification and Placement Guidance document for additional next steps.
BIE Home Language Survey Example
BIE Pre-K Home Language Survey (HLS)
Home Language Survey Information
Continuing Student Parent Notification Letter
New Student Parent Notification Letter
BIE English Language Academic Plan (ELAP) for SY 2023-2024
Understanding the ELAP, A Guide for Parents and Caregivers of English Learners
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.
Don’t have a WIDA Secure Portal account? For teachers, contact your school's WIDA test coordinator. WIDA test coordinators contact: Pamela.Speaks@bie.edu