North Carolina
Member of the WIDA Consortium since 2008.
Assessments
North Carolina uses WIDA Screener 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 lasts from late January through mid-March.
Testing Dates
| 12/10/25 - 3/13/26 | WIDA AMS Test Setup Available for Registrations |
|---|---|
| 1/5/26 | Districts Receive Test Materials |
| 1/12/26 - 3/13/26 | Test Window |
| 1/5/26 - 3/6/26 | Additional Test Material Ordering Window in WIDA AMS |
| 3/20/26 - 3/20/26 | Deadline for Shipping Completed Test Materials to DRC (Postmark date) |
| 5/11/26 | Districts Receive ACCESS and Alternate ACCESS Reports and Data - Posted in WIDA AMS |
| 5/29/26 - 6/1/26 | Districts Receive Printed ACCESS and Alternate ACCESS Reports |
| 7/7/26 | Updated ACCESS and Alternate ACCESS Data - Posted in WIDA AMS for SEA and Districts |
Requirements and Resources
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 Checklist (Coming Soon) Identification and Placement Guidance
Professional Learning
24-25 WIDA Workshops for Educators
The NCDPI ML/Title III Team is dedicated to growing the success of multilingual learners (MLs) by sustaining statewide implementation of the ELD Standards, ensuring program compliance, and coordinating efforts, resources, and professional learning to build stakeholder capacity.