Maine
Member of the WIDA Consortium since 2004.
Assessments
Maine uses Kindergarten W-APT, WIDA MODEL for Kindergarten, and WIDA Screener (for Grades 1-12) to identify English learners (ELs). ACCESS for ELLs is given to all ELs during the annual testing window, which typically takes place from early January through early March.
Note that WIDA does not offer a screening assessment for PreK at this time. The Maine Department of Education allows districts to use the PreK screening assessment of their choosing. It is recommended to use rigorous criteria when making EL identification decisions in order to ensure that all eligible students are identified appropriately.
Testing Dates
| 10/12/20-11/11/20 | Test materials ordering available in AMS (LEAs) |
|---|---|
| 11/25/20-4/16/21 | WIDA AMS test setup available for test sessions |
| 12/16/20 | Districts receive test materials |
| 12/16/20-4/1/21 | Additional test materials ordering window in AMS |
| 1/11/21-4/16/21 | Test Window |
| 4/30/21 | Deadline for shipping completed test materials to DRC |
| 6/18/21 | Districts receive reports – Online |
| TBD | Districts receive reports – Printed |
Requirements and Resources
See below for state-specific information and resources related to EL assessment, 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 Checklist Identification and Placement Guidance
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State Testing Requirements
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- Maine administers ACCESS for ELLs Online, except for Kindergarten ACCESS, which remains on paper.
- If a district needs to consider ACCESS for ELLs Paper, they must ask the Maine Department of Education (Maine DOE) for permission. Contact: jodi.bossio-smith@maine.gov or janette.kirk@maine.gov.
- To request ACCESS for ELLs Paper for individual students, see Individual Student Paper Test Request ACCESS.
- The Maine DOE assumes any school not submitting a written request will be delivering the assessment online.
- Maine's 4th and 5th grade students keyboard their Writing responses.
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Test Preparation and Training
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- Your personal WIDA Secure Portal account provides access to Kindergarten W-APT, WIDA Screener and ACCESS training materials.
- Training courses and certification quizzes for ACCESS are located in the WIDA Secure Portal.
- If you are administering ACCESS for ELLs Online, Kindergarten ACCESS, or Alternate ACCESS, recertification is not required. However, Maine DOE recommends Test Administrators refresh their knowledge with available online training resources.
- If you are administering the paper version of ACCESS for ELLs, Maine DOE recommends annual certification.
Professional Learning
Starting September 1, 2020, educators in Maine have access to WIDA's Self-paced eWorkshops 2020-21 offerings. All eWorkshops are free and available in the eLearning Center in the WIDA Secure Portal. Don't have a WIDA Secure Portal account? Contact WIDA Client Services at 866-276-7735 or help@wida.us.
Information about more WIDA workshops sponsored by the Maine DOE can be found on the Maine DOE ESOL/Bilingual Programs Professional Learning Calendar.