New York
Member of the WIDA Consortium since 2025.
Assessments
WIDA ACCESS and WIDA Alternate ACCESS are given to English learners (ELs) during the annual testing window, which typically takes place from early February through early April.
Testing Dates
| 9/9/26 | WIDA Secure Portal Available |
|---|---|
| 9/14/26 | WIDA AMS System Available |
| 10/6/26 - 11/2/26 | Test Materials Ordering Available in WIDA AMS – LEAs in WIDA AMS |
| 1/4/27 - 4/9/27 | WIDA AMS Test Setup Available for Registrations |
| 1/19/27 - 1/20/27 | Districts Receive Test Materials |
| 1/19/27 - 4/2/27 | Additional Test Material Ordering Window in WIDA AMS |
| 2/1/27 - 4/9/27 | Test Window |
| 4/15/27 | Deadline for Shipping Completed Test Materials to DRC - Postmark date |
| 5/3/27 - 5/14/27 | Pre-Reporting Data Validation – LEAs in WIDA AMS |
| TBD | Districts Receive ACCESS and Alternate ACCESS Reports and Data - Posted in WIDA AMS |
| TBD | Post-Reporting Data Validation – LEAs in WIDA AMS |
| TBD | Updated ACCESS and Alternate ACCESS Data Posted in WIDA AMS |
Requirements and Resources
See the sections below for state-specific information and resources related to EL assessments, 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
- State Testing Requirements
All English learners (ELs) are required to participate in the annual English language proficiency assessment using either WIDA ACCESS or WIDA Alternate ACCESS.
- WIDA ACCESS Online is administered to students in Grades 1-12.
- WIDA ACCESS Paper is only for students with a documented need for a paper-based assessment as an accommodation on their IEP or 504 Plan.
- WIDA ACCESS for Kindergarten is paper-based and administered to all Kindergarten students.
- WIDA Alternate ACCESS is paper-based and administered to students with the most significant cognitive disabilities in Grades K-12. Refer to the WIDA Alternate ACCESS Participation Decision Tree for New York for more information.
- WIDA Assessment Webinars for New York
WIDA Assessment Webinars provide an opportunity to learn more and ask questions about WIDA assessments. They are presented live through Zoom. All webinars are recorded and available in the WIDA Secure Portal approximately one week after the presentation. No registration is required.
WIDA is offering special New York sessions for select WIDA Assessment Webinars. Visit the Webinars page in the WIDA Secure Portal (after September 9) to learn more and add webinars to your calendar. Assessment webinars typically take one hour and begin at 2:00 p.m. ET.
- WIDA ACCESS for New District Test Coordinators in New York – September 15, 2026
- User Management in WIDA AMS for New York – September 17, 2026
- WIDA ACCESS for New Test Administrators in New York – September 24, 2026
- WIDA ACCESS Software Overview and Tech Readiness Checklist for New York – October 1, 2026
- WIDA ACCESS Technology Installation for New York – October 13, 2026
- WIDA ACCESS for Kindergarten for New Test Administrators in New York – November 5, 2026
- WIDA Alternate ACCESS for New Test Administrators in New York – November 19, 2026
- WIDA ACCESS Online Day of Testing – January 12, 2027
- Manuals, Guides and Test Materials
The WIDA Secure Portal contains resources to support WIDA ACCESS testing, including assessment training courses, test materials, supplemental resources and a calendar of WIDA Assessment Webinars. The Secure Portal also includes links to WIDA resources like family flyers and links to technology-focused resources in WIDA AMS.
- Test Preparation and Training
- District Test Coordinators (DTCs) and School Test Coordinators (STCs) are required to successfully complete the WIDA ACCESS Online: Administration training course.
- Test Administrators (TAs) must successfully complete the WIDA assessment training course(s) and pass the certification quizzes for the corresponding WIDA assessments they will administer. TAs are required to recertify each school year.
- Training courses are accessed via the WIDA Secure Portal.
- Technology Resources
We have resources to help you get ready for the move to computer-based testing. Check out these resources to start planning for technology needs. (Note: Most technology documents are updated each year at the end of June.)
- Visit the Technology page for an overview of essential WIDA ACCESS testing components and requirements.
- Learn about supported devices and operating systems in Supported System Requirements for WIDA ACCESS Online and WIDA Screener Online (this document is updated three times each year).
- Refer to WIDA ACCESS Headset Specifications for guidance on recommended devices for the ACCESS Online Speaking test.
- Explore other technology documents and manuals on the WIDA Assessment Management System (WIDA AMS) website. No login is required to view technology documentation.
Standards and Instructional Support
New York will not be adopting the WIDA English Language Development Standards Framework, 2020 Edition. New York educators should continue to follow the guidance of the New York State Academic and Linguistic Demands (ALDs). The ALDs remain the foundation for instructional planning and alignment with New York’s content standards.
Educators should contact their local Regional Bilingual Education Resource Network (RBERN) for guidance regarding the ALDs.
Professional Learning
During the 2026-2027 school year, NYSED will host the following select WIDA Facilitated Virtual Workshops. Please contact OBEWL@nysed.gov for questions and additional information on how to sign up for WIDA Facilitated Virtual Workshops.
Exploring WIDA ACCESS Online for Test Administrators
Available dates:
- November 9, 2026, from 3:30–5 p.m. ET
- November 16, 2026, from 3:30–5 p.m. ET
- December 1, 2026, from 3:30–5 p.m. ET
- December 9, 2026, from 3:30–5 p.m. ET
- January 14, 2027, from 3:30–5 p.m. ET
Exploring WIDA ACCESS for Kindergarten
Available dates:
- November 18, 2026, from 3:30–5 p.m. ET
- December 3, 2026, from 3:30–5 p.m. ET
- December 10, 2026, from 3:30–5 p.m. ET
- January 12, 2027, from 3:30–5 p.m. ET
Understanding Score Reports for WIDA Alternate ACCESS
Available dates:
- TBD
WIDA ACCESS Score Reports for Instruction
Available dates:
- TBD
WIDA Core Learning Collection
Beginning September 9, all educators in the WIDA Consortium have access to the WIDA Self-Paced Workshops, as well as WIDA On-Demand Videos and resources available through the Core Learning Collection. This collection features flexible, high-quality professional learning designed to support educators of multilingual learners across all grade levels and content areas.
WIDA Self-Paced Workshops
All New York K-12 educators have free, unlimited access to twelve Self-Paced Workshops that offer relevant, practical content to build educators’ capacity to support multilingual learners. Workshop titles include:
- Desarrollando 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: Classroom Assessment for Language Development
- 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
WIDA On-Demand Videos
WIDA On-Demand Videos provide supplemental information about WIDA Assessments. Each video is accompanied by a supporting document designed to support learning in an individual or group setting.
These videos encourage educators to explore topics beyond assessment training, including scoring Kindergarten test items, creating a positive test experience for students and understanding student expectations.
On-Demand Video titles include
- Exploring WIDA ACCESS for Kindergarten - Release date Nov. 9, 2026
- Exploring WIDA ACCESS Online - Release date Nov. 9, 2026
- Understanding WIDA Alternate ACCESS Score Reports 2027 - Release date Apr. 12, 2027
- WIDA ACCESS Score Reports for Instruction 2027 - Release date Apr. 12, 2027
If you are a classroom teacher, specialist, instructional coach, or school leader who does not already have a WIDA Secure Portal account and you would like to participate or get more information, contact your District Test Coordinator (on or after September 9) to set up an account or contact the WIDA Client Services Center at help@wida.wisc.edu or (866) 276-7735.