Alabama
Member of the WIDA Consortium since 2004.
Assessments
Alabama uses Kindergarten W-APT, WIDA MODEL for Kindergarten and WIDA Screener Online (through Susan Beard) for Grades 1-12 to identify English language learners (ELLs). ACCESS for ELLs Online is given to all ELLs during the annual testing window, which usually takes place from late January through late March. ACCESS for ELLs Paper administration requires SEA permission (through Susan Beard) and for IEP/504 plan requirements only.
Testing Dates
| 12/5/22-3/17/23 | WIDA AMS test setup available for test sessions |
|---|---|
| 1/9/23 | Districts receive test materials |
| 1/9/23-3/10/23 | Additional test materials ordering window in AMS |
| 1/17/23-3/17/23 | Test Window |
| 3/24/23 | Deadline for shipping completed test materials to DRC |
| 4/13/23-4/26/23 | Pre-reporting data validation – LEAs in AMS |
| 5/12/23 | Districts receive reports – Online |
| 6/5/23 | Districts receive reports – Printed |
Requirements and Resources
Alabama will continue to test ALL students online for 2019-2020. Systems considering paper mode must submit a request to Susan Beard (sbeard@alsde.edu). Specific details are as follows:
- Kindergarten ACCESS is paper-based, no SEA permission is needed.
- Alternate ACCESS for ELLs is paper-based. Students who will take Alternate ACCESS for ELLs must be approved. Contact Susan Beard for further guidance
- Grades 1-3 are Online testers and must handwrite their Writing responses in a Writing response booklet, no SEA permission is needed.
- Grades 4-5 are Online testers but if unable to keyboard Writing responses may handwrite in the Writing response booklet without SEA permission. Writing response booklets are ordered during the additional test materials ordering window.
- Grades 6-12 are Online testers but if unable to keyboard Writing responses may handwrite in the Writing response booklet without SEA permission. Writing response booklets are ordered during the additional test materials ordering window.
- Students who require Large Print do not need SEA permission.
- Students with IEP/504 Plans that specify the student must take the test on paper will be allowed the accommodation. A request must be submitted to Susan Beard at ALSDE.
- Instructions for completing student demographic information on paper test booklets can be found in the Alabama Hand-Gridding Instructions document.
The sections below provide additional ALSDE information and resources, including the ACCESS for ELLs Checklist where you can find each step in the ACCESS testing process.
ACCESS for ELLs Online Checklist Identification and Placement Guidance
Professional Learning
Beginning September 1, 2019, educators in Alabama will have the opportunity to participate in six, self-paced, on-demand eWorkshops developed by WIDA; a trusted name in the field of English learner education and assessment. The following eWorkshops will be available in the eLearning Center of the WIDA Secure Portal:
- Using the WIDA Writing Rubric
- Leading for Equity: Classroom Walkthrough
- Classroom Educators: Engaging Newcomer English Learners
- Language for Learning in Mathematics
- Doing and Talking STEM
- Foundational Concepts for K-12 Educators
WIDA eWorkshops cover a range of topics intended for a variety of audiences, from K-12 classroom teachers to English as a Second Language Specialists to district and school administrators. All eWorkshops are FREE and available when and where it is convenient for you!! View the eWorkshops flyer for full descriptions and intended audiences. Contact WIDA Client Services Center at help@wida.us or 1-866-276-7735 to set up your WIDA Secure Portal account today!
Early Years Membership
WIDA Early Years Member State since 2020.
For state-specific information about WIDA Early Years professional learning, resources, and other member benefits visit the Early Years Member States page.