Idaho

Member of the WIDA Consortium since 2015.

Assessments

For a comprehensive overview of the Idaho English Language Proficiency Assessment, visit the English Language Proficiency Assessment webpage on the Idaho State Department of Education website.

Idaho employs the WIDA Screener for Kindergarten to kindergarten and first-semester grade-one students, and the WIDA Screener to second semester grade 1-12 students as one part of Idaho’s English learner (EL) identification process. ACCESS for ELLs is given annually to all identified ELs who have an EL status of ‘L1’, ‘LE’, and ‘EW’ reflected within Idaho’s English Learner Management System (ELMS). The annual summative ELP test window typically opens in late January and runs through early March. WIDA Alternate ACCESS is given concurrently with the ACCESS for ELLs administration, and is only administered to students who have met the Idaho Alternate Assessment Participation Criteria.

Testing Dates

11/15/23Districts Verify/Modify WIDA AMS Pre-ID File in ELMS
11/30/23Idaho SDE submits Pre-ID/Student Import File to WIDA AMS
12/1/23Test Materials Ordering Via Pre-ID/Student Import File (SEA) in WIDA AMS
1/2/24-3/8/24WIDA AMS Test Setup Available for Registrations
1/12/24-1/17/24Districts Receive Test Materials 
1/19/24-3/1/24Additional Test Material Ordering Window in WIDA AMS
1/29/24-3/8/24ACCESS for ELLs Test Window
3/15/24Deadline for Shipping Completed Test Materials to DRC
3/29/24-4/4/24Pre-Reporting Data Validation – LEAs in WIDA AMS
5/8/24Reports and Data Files Available - Online in WIDA AMS
5/23/24-5/28/24Reports Available in District – Printed
5/24/24-6/7/24ACCESS Participation Rate Appeals Window
6/14/24Updated Data Posted to WIDA AMS
9/16/24WIDA Alternate ACCESS Reports and Data Files Available – Online in WIDA AMS
10/3/24WIDA Alternate ACCESS Reports Available in District - Printed

 

Requirements and Resources

A comprehensive review of state-specific information and resources related to the annual English language proficiency assessment and English learner identification can be found within the ELPA: Navigating WIDA Screener and ACCESS for ELLs Guidance Document. An at a glance review of Idaho’s EL Identification Process and a checklist for preparing for ACCESS for ELLs can be referenced by selecting the links listed below. 

ACCESS for ELLs Checklist Identification and Placement Guidance

State Testing Requirements

English Language Proficiency Assessment - Screener

  • Districts are required to administer either WIDA Screener for Kindergarten or WIDA Screener (second-semester grade 1-12) to potential EL students as to determine eligibility into English language support services. This must be completed within 30 calendar days of enrollment.
    • Districts must log into ELMS to verify whether a student has previously been identified as an EL prior to administering WIDA Screener for Kindergarten or WIDA Screener. 
  • Districts are required to submit screener scores from WIDA Screener for Kindergarten or WIDA Screener into ELMS following the completion of the screener assessment.

English Language Proficiency Assessment - Summative

Test Preparation and Training

English Language Proficiency Screener: WIDA Screener/ WIDA Screener for Kindergarten

  • Test administrators (TAs) must become certified to proctor WIDA Screener for Kindergarten and/or WIDA Screener each year. Training and certification quizzes are accessible via the WIDA Secure Portal.
  • Prior to administering a WIDA English language proficiency screener, districts must use Idaho’s English Learner Management System to verify that a child does not already have an EL status. 

English Language Proficiency Assessment: ACCESS for ELLs

  • Test administrators are required to re-certify to administer ACCESS for ELLs each year.
  • Test administrators must complete all grade-level and domain specific ACCESS for ELLs trainings and certification quizzes prior to proctoring: ACCESS for ELLs, Kindergarten ACCESS for ELLs, or WIDA Alternate ACCESS. Test administrators must attain a score of 80% or higher on each quiz to become certified.

Professional Learning

Beginning September 1, 2024, all Idaho K-12 educators will have free access to the following Self-Paced Workshops:

  • The WIDA ELD Standards Framework: A Collaborative Approach 
  • Newcomers: Promoting Success through Strengthening Practice 
  • Making Language Visible in the Classroom 
  • Reframing Education for Long-term English Learners 
  • Developing Language for Learning in Mathematics 
  • Engaging Multilingual Learners in Science: Making Sense of Phenomena
  • Desarollando el español: las expectativas del lenguaje (NEW!)
  • Reading Comprehension Across Content Areas with Multilingual Learners (NEW!) 
  • Teaching Multilingual Learners Social Studies through Multiple Perspectives (Updated) 
  • Let’s Play! Multilingual Children’s Joyful Learning in PreK-3 (NEW!) 
  • Exploring the WIDA PreK-3 Essential Actions 
  • WIDA Español: Evaluaciones del desarrollo del lenguaje a nivel de salón - Classroom assessment for language development (Available spring 2025)

The Self-Paced Workshops are accessible via the WIDA Secure Portal. To obtain a WIDA Secure Portal account, contact your District Test Coordinator or contact WIDA Client Support Services directly at help@wida.us / (866) 276-7735.

Contacts

Andrew Bennett 
ELPA Assessment Coordinator
(208) 332-6909
abennett@sde.idaho.gov

Maria Puga
Title III/EL Program Coordinator
(208) 332-6905
mpuga@sde.idaho.gov

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

help@wida.us
(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 help@wida.us, call (866) 276-7735, or contact your District Test Coordinator.
  • New District Test Coordinators should contact Andrew Bennett at SDE to create an account.
  • For assistance with your account, contact the WIDA Client Services Center at help@wida.us 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 via WIDA AMS.

  • To obtain a new login, contact wida@datarecognitioncorp.com or contact your District Test Coordinator.
  • New District Test Coordinators should contact DRC Customer Service to request an account.
  • For assistance accessing your account, contact DRC Customer Service at wida@datarecognitioncorp.com or call (855) 787-9615.