Utah
Member of the WIDA Consortium since 2013.
Assessments
Utah uses WIDA Screener for Kindergarten and WIDA Screener Online (Grades 1-12) to identify English learners (ELs). WIDA Screener Paper is appropriate for recently arrived ELs and students with significant disabilities. WIDA MODEL is allowed for screening (acceptable for LEAs electing to fund this option). ACCESS for ELLs (Grades K-12) is given to all ELs during the annual testing window, which typically lasts from early January through early March. WIDA Alternate ACCESS is available for students with significant cognitive disabilities that qualify for Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM), but this must be determined by the LEA’s language and IEP teams.
Testing Dates
| 9/12/24 | WIDA Alternate ACCESS Reports and Data Files Available – Online in WIDA AMS |
|---|---|
| 10/3/24 | WIDA Alternate ACCESS Reports Available in District - Printed |
| 10/11/24-10/28/24 | Test Materials Ordering via AMS (LEAs) - Alternate and Braille Only |
| 12/4/24-3/7/25 | WIDA AMS Test Setup Available for Registrations |
| 12/13/24-12/16/24 | Districts Receive Test Materials |
| 12/13/24-2/28/25 | Additional Test Material Ordering Window in WIDA AMS |
| 1/7/25-3/7/25 | Test Window |
| 3/17/25 | Deadline for Shipping Completed Test Materials to DRC (Postmark date) |
| 4/2/25-4/15/25 | Pre-Reporting Data Validation – LEAs in WIDA AMS |
| 5/1/25 | Districts Receive Reports and Data - Posted in WIDA AMS |
| 5/16/25-5/19/25 | Printed Reports Received in Districts |
| 6/12/25 | Updated ACCESS and Alternate ACCESS Data - Posted in WIDA AMS |
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 Checklist Identification and Placement Guidance
- State Testing and Requirements
- LEAs are required to administer the Screener within 30 calendar days of enrollment within the first month of school, and within 10 school days of enrollment thereafter. (Students are eligible for EL services if they earn a score of 1-4.9 on Screener for grades K-12.)
- To be certified to administer and score Utah WIDA assessments, test administrators must annually complete the WIDA online training course for the appropriate assessment and grade span.
- All ELs must be tested annually using the ACCESS for ELLs assessment. When students earn an Overall Composite Score of 4.2 or higher and a Speaking Score of 3.5 or higher, they are considered fluent in English. Students are then re-designated to monitoring status for four years. Students are not required to take the ACCESS for ELLs assessment during these four years of monitoring. The LEA may use appropriate data, evaluation, and team-based problem solving to consider reclassifying the student as EL if, while in monitoring status, students demonstrate consistent and continued need for increased language support services.
- For more information, please visit the Utah USBE Assessment and Accountability website.
- Test Preparation and Training
- To be certified to administer and score Utah WIDA assessments, test administrators must annually complete the WIDA online training course for the appropriate assessment and grade level cluster on the end-of-module quiz.
- Utah Language Test Codes
- State Specific Resources
- Utah State Board of Education (USBE) USBE’s main website
- USBE Assessment and Accountability USBE’s website for all state assessment information
- USBE Data Gateway USBE’s website for accessing student data
Standards and Instructional Support
Additional instructional supports, home language surveys, and annual notification letters: USBE Title III: English Learners (ELs), Immigrants and Refugees
LEAs should pay particular attention to English learners with special needs and Utah’s refugee and immigrant populations who often enter into Utah’s schools with individual needs. LEAs should focus resources, as well as plan for, effective supports in transitioning into school and post-secondary opportunities that meet the students’ needs.
The WIDA ELD Standards Framework, 2020 Edition was released in December 2020. Please contact Christelle Estrada for questions regarding the WIDA ELD Standards Framework, 2020 Edition.
Professional Learning
Continuing Sept. 1, 2024, all educators in Utah have access to WIDA's Self-Paced Workshops. View the Self-Paced Workshops flyer for full workshop descriptions and intended audiences. Credit and relicensure points will be awarded upon completion of an Self-Paced Workshop.
All Self-Paced Workshops are free and available in the WIDA Secure Portal. Don't have a WIDA Secure Portal account? Contact your district's/LEA's ALS director for an account.