Alabama
Member of the WIDA Consortium since 2004.
Assessments
Alabama uses WIDA MODEL for Kindergarten and WIDA Screener Online (through Maggie Hicks) 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 Maggie Hicks) and should be administered for IEP/504 plan requirements only.
Testing Dates
| 9/17/24 | WIDA Alternate ACCESS Reports and Data Files Available – Online in WIDA AMS |
|---|---|
| 10/8/24 | WIDA Alternate ACCESS Reports Available in District - Printed |
| 12/5/24 - 3/14/25 | WIDA AMS Test Setup Available for Registrations |
| 1/8/25 - 1/9/25 | Districts Receive Test Materials |
| 1/13/25 - 3/14/25 | Test Window |
| 1/8/25 - 3/7/25 | Additional Test Material Ordering Window in WIDA AMS |
| 3/21/25 | Deadline for Shipping Completed Test Materials to DRC - Postmark date |
| 5/19/25 | Districts Receive Reports and Data - Posted in WIDA AMS |
| 6/6/25 | Districts Receive ACCESS Reports – Printed |
| 6/11/25 | Updated ACCESS and Alternate ACCESS Data Posted in WIDA AMS |
Requirements and Resources
Alabama assesses all students using ACCESS for ELLs Online. Systems considering paper mode must submit a request to Maggie Hicks (mhicks@alsde.edu). Specific details are as follows:
- Kindergarten ACCESS is paper-based, no SEA permission is needed.
- WIDA Alternate ACCESS is paper-based. Students who will take WIDA Alternate ACCESS must be approved. Contact Maggie Hicks 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 Maggie Hicks 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
Educators in Alabama have the opportunity to participate in self-paced, on-demand workshops developed by WIDA, a trusted name in the field of English learner education and assessment. The following workshops are available in the Professional Learning section of the WIDA Secure Portal.
- Developing Language for Learning in Mathematics
- Engaging Multilingual Learners in Science: Making Sense of Phenomena
- Exploring the WIDA PreK-3 Essential Actions
- Home Languages in the Classroom
- Making Language Visible: Exploring the Key Language Uses
- Newcomers: Promoting Success through Strengthening Practice
- Reframing Education for Long-term English Learners
- Social Studies: Engaging Multilingual Learners Through Inquiry
- The WIDA ELD Standards Framework: A Collaborative Approach
WIDA Self-Paced Workshops 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 Self-Paced Workshops are FREE and available when and where it is convenient for you!! View the Self-Paced Workshops 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!
Additional Offerings
| Title | Dates | Notes |
| 2024-2025 Self-Paced Workshop Flyer | 9/1/24 - 8/31/25 | See flyer for titles. Self-paced Workshops available in the WIDA Secure Portal. |
| Leadership Self-Paced Workshop Flyer | 9/1/24 - 8/31/25 | See flyer for titles. Self-paced Workshops available in the WIDA Secure Portal. |
| Working Toward Meaningful Sensemaking in Science with Multilingual Learners | 9/1/24 - 8/31/25 | Open enrollment. Prerequisite: Complete WIDA Self-paced Workshop “Engaging Multilingual Learners in Science: Making Sense of Phenomena.” (WIDA Secure Portal account required for enrollment). |