Alaska
Member of the WIDA Consortium since 2011.
Assessments
Alaska uses WIDA MODEL, WIDA Screener for Kindergarten, 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
| 10/24/22-11/18/22 | Test materials ordering in AMS (LEAs) |
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| 12/13/22-3/31/23 | WIDA AMS test setup available for test sessions |
| 1/12/23 | Districts receive test materials |
| 1/12/23-3/24/23 | Additional test materials ordering window in AMS |
| 2/1/23-3/31/23 | Test Window |
| 4/6/23 | Deadline for shipping completed test materials to DRC |
| 5/26/23 | Districts receive reports – Online |
| 6/14/23 | 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 account creation for assessment training. Please contact that individual to request an account.
- Test Administrators are required to complete the applicable ACCESS for ELLs training course, which includes passing a certification quiz. Log in to the WIDA Secure Portal to locate and enroll in the training course.
- You will need to retake the training course 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
Standards and Instructional Support
The Alaska State Board of Education officially adopted the WIDA English Language Development Standards Framework, 2020 Edition in June, 2021. More information can be found on the Alaska Department of Education & Early Development’s English Language Proficiency Standards webpage. Resources and Professional Learning opportunities related to these standards can be found on WIDA’s ELD Standards Framework Professional Development webpage. Please note that some of these resources require a WIDA Secure Portal account (contact your District Test Coordinator or help@wida.us for access).
Professional Learning
Beginning September 1st, educators in Alaska have access to WIDA's Self-Paced Workshops. View the Self-Paced Workshops flyer for full descriptions and intended audiences.
All Self-Paced Workshops are free and available in the WIDA Secure Portal. To set up a Secure Portal account for Professional Learning, contact your District Test Coordinator or help@wida.us. You can also contact Eli Barsy at eli.barsy@alaska.gov or Rachel Schweissing at rachel.schweissing@alaska.gov.