Florida

Requirements and Resources

See below for Florida-specific information and resources related to ELL assessment, including the WIDA ACCESS Checklist, where you can find each step in the testing process from beginning to end. If you have been asked to complete WIDA online training activities but do not believe you have a login, please contact your District or School Assessment Coordinator.

WIDA ACCESS Checklist Florida State Specific Directions

State Testing Requirements

• All students enrolled in the district (Grades K-12) and classified ELL, with a code of "LY" on the 1st day of the test administration window, must take one of the following English language proficiency assessments in Spring 2026:
  • WIDA ACCESS for Kindergarten
  • WIDA ACCESS Online
  • WIDA ACCESS Paper
  • WIDA Alternate ACCESS
• Florida’s WIDA Alternate ACCESS participation criteria is as follows:
  • The student is classified as ELL, with a code of “LY” on the first day of the testing window (January 12, 2026).
  • The student has a most significant cognitive disability as defined in Rule 6A-6.03411(1)(f), Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.).
  • The student receives special education services under IDEA (2004) and requires extensive direct individualized instruction and substantial supports to achieve measurable gains in the grade and age-appropriate curriculum.
  • The student is or will be participating in Access Points Curriculum and/or Statewide, Standardized Alternate Assessment based on criteria outlined in Rule 6A-1.0943(5), Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.). 

Test Preparation and Training

• Test Administrators must take the training module quizzes and receive a passing score to administer the assessments. Log in to the WIDA Secure Portal to access training courses and quizzes.
  • WIDA ACCESS Online and WIDA ACCESS Paper Test Administrators with training certificates prior to September 1, 2025, must recertify to administer during the Spring 2026 administration.
  • WIDA ACCESS for Kindergarten Test Administrators with training certificates prior to September 29, 2025, must recertify to administer during the Spring 2026 administration.
  • WIDA ACCESS Paper Braille and WIDA Alternate ACCESS Test Administrators with training certificates prior to September 1, 2024, must recertify to administer during the Spring 2026 administration.
• School assessment coordinators and test administrators need to review:
  • Training modules in the WIDA Secure Portal, as directed in FL's WIDA ACCESS Checklist.
  • Florida-specific WIDA ACCESS administration directions.
  • Florida-specific training webinars are posted to the Webinars page in the WIDA Secure Portal.

Florida Assessment Results and Rules

State Results

• Spring 2024 ACCESS for ELLs State Results
• Spring 2023 ACCESS for ELLs and Alternate ACCESS for ELLs State Results
• Spring 2022 ACCESS for ELLs and Alternate ACCESS for ELLs State Results
• Spring 2021 ACCESS for ELLs and Alternate ACCESS for ELLs State Results
• Spring 2020 ACCESS for ELLs and Alternate ACCESS for ELLs State Results - February 2021
  • Note: The revised Spring 2020 ACCESS for ELLs State Results includes updated reporting for districts who were unable to return test materials due to COVID-19 and school closures. The state's ACCESS for ELLs proficient percentage of 21% did not change; however, Alternate ACCESS for ELLs changed from 51% to 50%.
• Spring 2020 ACCESS for ELLs Paper and Alternate ACCESS for ELLs State Results
• Spring 2019 ACCESS for ELLs Paper and Alternate ACCESS for ELLs State Results
• Spring 2018 ACCESS for ELLs Paper and Alternate ACCESS for ELLs State Results
• Spring 2017 ACCESS for ELLs Paper and Alternate ACCESS for ELLs State Results
• Spring 2016 ACCESS for ELLs Paper and Alternate ACCESS for ELLs State Results

State Board of Education Rules

• Rule 6A-6.0902, FAC, Requirements for Identification, Eligibility and Programmatic Assessments of English Language Learners
• Rule 6A-6.09021, FAC, Annual English Language Proficiency Assessment for ELLs
• Rule 6A-6.0903, FAC, Requirements for Exiting English Language Learners from the English for Speakers of Other Language Program

Florida Proficiency Criteria and Guidance for WIDA Identification Assessments

WIDA Screener and WIDA MODEL (Online or Paper)

• For students in grades K-2, a Listening score of 4 or higher and a Speaking score of 4 or higher means proficiency.
• For students in grades 3-12, an Overall Composite score of 4 or higher and a Reading score of 4 or higher means proficiency.

WIDA Alternate Screener

• For students in grades K–2, a Listening score of 3 or higher and a Speaking score of 3 or higher means proficiency.
• For students in grades 3–8, an Overall Composite score of 3 or higher and a Reading score of 3 or higher means proficiency.
• For students in grades 9–12, an Overall Composite score of 4 or higher and a Reading score of 4 or higher means proficiency.

State-Specific Guidance for WIDA Screeners

• It is a district decision to determine certification requirements for WIDA Screener Test Administrators.
• All students must be screened on the current grade level test form in Florida.
• It is a district decision to administer all four language domains to students in grades K–2. Per Rule 6A-6.0902, Florida Administration Code (F.A.C.), Requirements for Identification, Eligibility and Programmatic Assessments of English Language Learners, only the Listening and Speaking scores are considered to determine entry for students in grades K–2.