Three assessment training courses unavailable this summer

WIDA instructional designers are making substantial updates to three assessment training courses this summer. Between June 30 and August 31, 2023, the following training courses will not be available in the WIDA Secure Portal:

• Online ACCESS for ELLs: Administration
• Paper ACCESS for ELLs: Administration
• Alternate ACCESS for ELLs: Administration and Scoring

Why is WIDA doing this?

At the end of June, our partners at Data Recognition Corporation (DRC) will release technical enhancements to WIDA AMS and DRC INSIGHT (browse the Get ready for 2023-24 updates to WIDA AMS and DRC INSIGHT news article for more info on what’s to come). Before you dive into your ACCESS Online and/or Paper training for the 2023-24 WIDA testing year, our instructional designers need the remainder of the summer to make sure the course content matches what you'll see in WIDA AMS and DRC INSIGHT going forward.

What about the Alternate ACCESS training course?

Before we talk about the Alternate ACCESS training course, we wanted to share some exciting news. This summer, after much test development work (a big thank you to everyone who has helped along the way), WIDA staffers head into the final phase of the Advancing ALTELLA project. On tap is compiling all the data from the Alternate ACCESS Field Test and selecting items for the redesigned Alternate ACCESS, which will be ready for the 2023-24 WIDA testing year!

Keep in mind: Since you will use the redesigned Alternate ACCESS in 2023-24, you’ll need to get re-certified to administer the new test via the brand-new training course. The new training course goes live on September 1.

Since WIDA is updating the ACCESS Online and Paper training courses, will I need to re-certify in the 23-24 school year?

Your state, territory or federal agency sets your recertification guidelines. Check your member/state page on the WIDA website in the fall for specific policy information.

What about the other courses in the WIDA Secure Portal?

All other assessment training courses will continue to be available throughout the summer. Likewise, all self-paced workshop courses will be available throughout the summer.