Florida
Member of the WIDA Consortium since 2015.
Assessment
Florida may use WIDA MODEL and WIDA Screener (for Grades K-12) to identify English language learners (ELLs). ACCESS for ELLs must be administered to all ELLs during the yearly testing window, which typically takes place from late January through late March.
Testing Dates
| 11/13/23 | FDOE loads Pre-ID file (survey 2) into WIDA AMS |
|---|---|
| 12/22/23-3/22/24 | WIDA AMS test setup available for editing student demographic information |
| 1/5/24 | Districts load 2nd Pre-ID file via FDOE ShareFile |
| 1/8/24 | Districts receive test materials |
| 1/8/24-3/8/24 | Additional test materials ordering window in AMS |
| 1/22/24-3/15/24 | Test Window |
| 2/7/24 | Districts receive Pre-ID labels from 2nd Pre-ID upload |
| 3/22/24 | Deadline for shipping completed test materials to DRC |
ACCESS for ELLs Paper (Grades 1-12 Field Testing Dates)
| 2/1/24 | Districts receive Field Test materials |
|---|---|
| 2/5/24-4/19/24 | Field Test Window |
| 2/7/24 | Districts receive Field Test Pre-ID labels from 2nd Pre-ID upload |
| 4/26/24 | Deadline for shipping completed Field Test materials to DRC |
Requirements and Resources
See below for Florida-specific information and resources related to ELL assessment, including the ACCESS for ELLs Checklist, where you can find each step in the testing process from beginning to end. If you have been asked to complete WIDA online training activities but do not believe you have a login, please contact your District or School Assessment Coordinator.
- State Testing Requirements
- All students enrolled in the district (Grades K-12) and classified ELL, with a code of "LY" on the 1st day of the test administration window, must take one of the following English language proficiency assessments in Spring 2024:
- Kindergarten ACCESS for ELLs
- ACCESS for ELLs Paper
- WIDA Alternate ACCESS
- For the 2023-24 school year, Florida's ELLs will continue to take ACCESS for ELLs Paper.
- Florida’s WIDA Alternate ACCESS participation criteria is as follows:
- The student is classified as ELL, with a code of “LY” on the first day of the testing window (January 22, 2024).
- The student has a most significant cognitive disability as defined in Rule 6A-6.03411(1)(f), Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.).
- The student receives special education services under IDEA (2004) and requires extensive direct individualized instruction and substantial supports to achieve measurable gains in the grade and age-appropriate curriculum.
- The student is or will be participating in Access Points Curriculum and/or Statewide, Standardized Alternate Assessment based on criteria outlined in Rule 6A-1.0943(5), Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.).
- All students enrolled in the district (Grades K-12) and classified ELL, with a code of "LY" on the 1st day of the test administration window, must take one of the following English language proficiency assessments in Spring 2024:
- Test Preparation and Training
- Test Administrators must take the training module quizzes and receive a passing score to administer the assessments. Log in to the WIDA Secure Portal to access training courses and quizzes.
- Test Administrators with training certificates prior to September 1, 2022 must recertify to administer during the Spring 2024 administration. Alternate ACCESS Test Administrators with training certificates prior to September 1, 2023 must recertify to administer during the Spring 2024 administration. It is recommended to contact your district or school assessment coordinator to determine whether recertification is required.
- School assessment coordinators and test administrators need to review:
- Paper pencil related training modules in the WIDA Secure Portal, as directed in FL's ACCESS for ELLs Checklist.
- Florida-specific ACCESS for ELLs administration directions.
- Florida-specific manuals are posted to the Resources page in the WIDA Secure Portal.
- Florida-specific training webinars are posted to the Webinars page in the WIDA Secure Portal.
- Florida Assessment Results and Rules
State Score Report Resources
State Results
- Spring 2023 ACCESS for ELLs and Alternate ACCESS for ELLs State Results
- Spring 2022 ACCESS for ELLs and Alternate ACCESS for ELLs State Results
- Spring 2021 ACCESS for ELLs and Alternate ACCESS for ELLs State Results
- Spring 2020 ACCESS for ELLs and Alternate ACCESS for ELLs State Results - February 2021
- Note: The revised Spring 2020 ACCESS for ELLs State Results includes updated reporting for districts who were unable to return test materials due to COVID-19 and school closures. The state's ACCESS for ELLs proficient percentage of 21% did not change; however, Alternate ACCESS for ELLs changed from 51% to 50%.
- Spring 2020 ACCESS for ELLs Paper and Alternate ACCESS for ELLs State Results
- Spring 2019 ACCESS for ELLs Paper and Alternate ACCESS for ELLs State Results
- Spring 2018 ACCESS for ELLs Paper and Alternate ACCESS for ELLs State Results
- Spring 2017 ACCESS for ELLs Paper and Alternate ACCESS for ELLs State Results
- Spring 2016 ACCESS for ELLs Paper and Alternate ACCESS for ELLs State Results
State Board of Education Rules
- Rule 6A-6.0902, FAC, Requirements for Identification, Eligibility and Programmatic Assessments of English Language Learners
- Rule 6A-6.09021, FAC, Annual English Language Proficiency Assessment for ELLs
- Rule 6A-6.0903, FAC, Requirements for Exiting English Language Learners from the English for Speakers of Other Language Program
- Florida Proficiency Criteria for WIDA Identification Assessments
WIDA Screener and WIDA MODEL (Online or Paper)
- For students in grades K-2, a Listening score of 4 or higher and a Speaking score of 4 or higher means proficiency.
- For students in grades 3-12, an Overall Composite score of 4 or higher and a Reading score of 4 or higher means proficiency.
Standards and Instructional Support
The WIDA English Language Development (ELD) Standards Framework, 2020 Edition: Kindergarten – Grade 12 is available in the WIDA Resource Library. There are three webpages dedicated to the WIDA ELD Standards Framework:
- ELD Standards Framework: Learn more about the Big Ideas and four components of the framework.
- The 2020 Edition: Discover what’s new and different about the 2020 Edition. View, download, or order a copy of the book, and find available resources for rollout and implementation.
- ELD Standards Framework Professional Development: From webinars to workshops to Focus Bulletins, check out various learning opportunities to begin and advance your understanding of the updated framework.
For more information about Florida standards, course descriptions and standards resources, please visit the CPALMS website.
Professional Learning
For the 2023-2024 school year, WIDA is offering facilitated professional development opportunities that are available for all educators in Florida. For more information regarding the content and schedule of upcoming WIDA Workshops, please review the following document.
Facilitated Workshops
To attend a facilitated Workshop, please complete the registration form by the enrollment deadline.
Self-Paced Workshops
Attend a Self-Paced Workshop when it works for your schedule! If you do not have access to the WIDA Secure Portal but would like to take advantage of these valuable eLearning opportunities, contact WIDA Client Services Center at help@wida.us or (866) 276-7735 to request an eLearning account to be created for you.