Rhode Island
Member of the WIDA Consortium since 2004.
Assessment
Rhode Island uses WIDA Screener for Kindergarten and WIDA Screener (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 early January through mid-February.
Testing Dates
| 11/24/25 - 2/27/26 | WIDA AMS Test Setup Available for Registrations |
|---|---|
| 12/18/25 | Districts Receive Test Materials |
| 1/5/26 - 2/13/26 | Test Window |
| 2/16/26 - 2/27/26 | Make-Up Test Window |
| 12/18/25 - 2/13/26 | Additional Test Material Ordering Window in WIDA AMS |
| 3/4/26 | Deadline for Shipping Completed Test Materials to DRC - Postmark date |
| 4/28/26 | Districts Receive ACCESS and Alternate ACCESS Reports and Data - Posted in WIDA AMS |
| 5/15/26 | Districts Receive Printed ACCESS and Alternate ACCESS Reports |
| 6/9/26 | 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 Online Checklist WIDA ACCESS Paper Checklist Identification and Placement Guidance
- State Testing Requirements
- Districts in RI will be administering WIDA ACCESS Online.
- Districts will also administer WIDA Alternate ACCESS.
- Rhode Island's 4th and 5th grade students will keyboard their Writing responses.
- Test Preparation and Training
- WIDA ACCESS training courses are available on the WIDA Secure Portal. Contact your District Test Coordinator or WIDA Client Services Center if you need an account.
- Test Administrators must complete the applicable training course and pass the certification quiz with a score of 80% or higher to be qualified to administer the assessment.
- Any TAs who will be scoring a Speaking domain must recertify annually (Kindergarten, Paper, Alternate). Recertification is otherwise required every three years or upon adoption of new tool.
- Manuals and Test Materials
- WIDA Screener and WIDA Screener for Kindergarten training and test materials can be found on the WIDA Secure Portal. Contact your District Test Coordinator or WIDA Client Services if you need an account.
- Rhode Island Regulations Governing the Education of English Language Learners – This document contains state-specific guidance on ELL-related regulations, programs and services, and evaluation.
- Rhode Island English Learner (EL) Identification Procedure - Use this form to guide you through the identification and placement process.
- Rhode Island ELL Exit Criteria – See this document for state-specific exit criteria for ACCESS.
- Additional Resources
RISAP Accessibility and Accommodations Manual and Other Resources
RISAP Accommodations Webinar Registration Links, Presentations, and Recordings
Standards and Instructional Support
The WIDA ELD Standards Framework, 2020 Edition, was released in December 2020. To learn more about Rhode Island's timeline for rollout and implementation of the 2020 Edition, please visit the RIDE website.
Professional Learning
Information about more WIDA workshops sponsored by the Rhode Island Department of Education are available at: 2025-26 WIDA Workshops.
All WIDA virtual workshops are free and available in the WIDA Secure Portal. Don’t have a WIDA Secure Portal account? Contact your district’s MLL Director or Coordinator.
Access the Rhode Island Professional Development offerings and registrations for in person workshops.