New Hampshire

Requirements and Resources

See below for state-specific information and resources related to ELL assessment, including your state’s ACCESS for ELLs Checklist, where you can find each step in the ACCESS testing process from beginning to end.

ACCESS for ELLs Online Checklist ACCESS for ELLs Paper Checklist Identification and Placement Guidance

State Testing Requirements

• All students identified as English Learners on or before March 10, 2024 are required to complete the ACCESS for ELLs Online test during the 2023 test administration window.
• Beginning with the 2022 administration, New Hampshire required all schools to administer the ACCESS for ELLs Online assessment. The ACCESS for ELLs Paper assessment is available for: (1) Identified SLIFE (Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education); and/or (2) Students whose IEPs or 504 plans require paper administration of state assessments.   
• LEAs may order a paper-based ACCESS for ELLs test on a student-by-student basis during the ordering process. The decision must be based on the student’s individual needs.
• Students in Grades 1-3 handwrite responses to the Writing domain in a response booklet.
• Only students who are or are likely to be eligible for the State Alternate Assessment (DLM) are eligible for the WIDA Alternate ACCESS assessment.

Test Preparation and Training

WIDA Screener:

• NHED strongly encourages the WIDA Screener to be administered by educators who hold a NH ESOL license. However, due to the critical shortage of licensed ESOL educators in New Hampshire, any NH certified educator will be allowed to administer the WIDA Screener Online. It will continue to be required that the WIDA Screener Online be scored by a licensed ESOL educator and that the WIDA Screener for Kindergarten and WIDA Screener Paper be administered and scored by a licensed ESOL educator. 
• To qualify as a Test Administrator, teachers must: (1) hold certification in NH; AND (2) complete the WIDA online training available through the WIDA Secure Portal with a quiz score of 80% or higher for any WIDA screener used during initial identification. WIDA TA Certifications are considered valid if completed during the current academic year.
• Student and Test Management for WIDA Screener Online takes place in the WIDA Assessment Management System (AMS). Contact your District Test Coordinator or DRC Customer Service if you require assistance with your WIDA AMS account.

ACCESS for ELLs:

• Due to the critical shortage of licensed ESOL educators in NH, any NH certified educator is authorized to administer the ACCESS for ELLs Online assessment for Grades 1-12 after successful completion of the WIDA Test Administrator certification.
• To administer ACCESS for ELLs Paper for Grades 1-12, Kindergarten ACCESS, or Alternate ACCESS, Test Administrators must hold NH ESOL certification.
• All educators identified as WIDA Test Administrators (TAs), MUST have a valid TA certificate at the time of testing. WIDA TA Certifications are considered valid if completed during the current academic year.
• Proof of certification can be found in the WIDA Secure Portal. Contact your District Test Coordinator to find out whether physical proof must be submitted locally. The state does not collect physical proof of completion, but will be monitoring satisfactory and timely completion through the WIDA Secure Portal.
• Test Administrators for Alternate ACCESS must also be familiar with the EL student, including the student’s communication style, IEP, and all approved accommodations.
• Paraprofessionals and personal care aides are NOT eligible to administer ACCESS for ELLs.

Exit and Reclassification of ELs

• New Hampshire Exit Criteria and Reclassification of English Language Learners

Additional Resources

• NHDOE Guidance - Identification and Placement of English Learners
• NH Department of Education: Assessment Policy & Procedures Manual