Alaska
Member of the WIDA Consortium since 2011.
Assessments
Alaska uses Kindergarten W-APT, WIDA MODEL, and WIDA Screener to identify English learners (ELs). ACCESS for ELLs is given to all identified ELs during the annual testing window, which takes place from early February through late March.
Testing Dates
| 10/26/20-11/20/20 | Test materials ordering in AMS (LEAs) |
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| 12/14/20-3/31/21 | WIDA AMS test setup available for test sessions |
| 1/12/21 | Districts receive test materials |
| 1/12/21-3/24/21 | Additional test materials ordering window in AMS |
| 2/1/21-3/31/21 | Test Window |
| 4/6/21 | Deadline for shipping completed test materials to DRC |
| 5/26/21 | Districts receive reports – Online |
| 6/18/21 | Districts receive reports - Printed |
Resources and Requirements
See the sections below for state-specific information and resources related to EL assessments, 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 ChecklistIdentification and Placement Guidance
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State Testing Requirements
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Beginning in the 21-22 school year, the new WIDA Screener for Kindergarten will be an approved screener for Alaska's kindergartners.
Alaska's ELs in Grades 1-12 will take either the paper-based or online version of ACCESS for ELLs.
Note: Kindergarten ACCESS for ELLs and the Alternate ACCESS for ELLs will remain paper-based tests.
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Test Preparation and Training
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Your District Test Coordinator manages enrollment for the ACCESS for ELLs online test administrator training course. Please contact that individual to request an account.
- Test Administrators are required to take the Test Administrator training quizzes.
- You must receive a passing score of 80% on all applicable quizzes.
- You will need to retake the training quizzes each year for recertification.
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Manuals, Guides and Test Materials
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Guidance for EL Student Identification, Assessment & Data Reporting
Professional Learning
Beginning September 1st, 2019, educators in Alaska have access to WIDA's self-paced eWorkshops. View the eWorkshop flyer for full descriptions and intended audiences.
All eWorkshops are free and available in the eLearning Center in the WIDA Secure Portal. To set up a Secure Portal account for eLearning, contact your District Test Coordinator. You can also contact Kelsey Smiley at Kelsey.smiley@alaska.gov or Rachel Schweissing at Rachel.schweissing@alaska.gov.