Minnesota
Member of the WIDA Consortium since 2010.
Assessments
Minnesota uses the Kindergarten W-APT, WIDA MODEL for Kindergarten and WIDA Screener (for grades 1-12) to identify English learners (ELs).
ACCESS for ELLs or Alternate ACCESS for ELLs must be administered to all ELs during the annual testing window, which typically takes place from late January to late March.
Testing Dates
| 11/25/19-12/13/19 | Indicate the number of online testers for grades 1-12 and order test materials in WIDA AMS |
|---|---|
| 12/17/19 | MDE sends student data in precode to load students into WIDA AMS and to print student labels |
| 1/6/20-3/20/20 | Complete administration tasks in WIDA AMS |
| 1/17/20 | Test materials arrive in districts |
| 1/17/20-3/13/20 | Order additional paper test materials in WIDA AMS |
| 1/27/20-3/20/20 | Test Window |
| 3/27/20 | All paper materials received at DRC |
| 5/18/20-6/22/20 | Retrieve early student-level results in Test WES |
| 5/18/20-6/5/20 | Post-test editing in Test WES |
| 8/27/20 | Online reports available in WIDA AMS |
| 8/27/20 | Paper reports arrive in districts |
Resources and Requirements
See below for state specific information and resource documents, 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 State-Specific Directions Identification and Placement Guidance
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State Testing Requirements
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English Language Proficiency Screener Testing Information
- Screening for English Language Proficiency
- Use an ELP screener when the Minnesota Language Survey (MNLS) indicates that the student speaks or understands a language other than English.
- If the student is transferring from a Minnesota district or a WIDA state, then only use a screener if the student does not have an ACCESS score from the previous year.
- ACCESS test results for students that were tested in Minnesota are available in MDE Secure Reports using the Student Assessment History Report.
Kindergarten W-APT and Kindergarten MODEL
- Use listening and speaking domains in 1st semester of Kindergarten and if using with 4 year olds.
- Use all four domains in 2nd semester of Kindergarten and in 1st semester of Grade 1.
- Accommodations are available as required by a student’s IEP or 504 plan.
WIDA Online and Paper Screener
- Use second semester of Grades 1-12.
- Accommodations are available as required by a student’s IEP or 504 plan.
ACCESS and Alternate ACCESS Testing Information
- The grades 1-12 ACCESS for ELLs is administered online.
- Students in Grades 1-3 view the writing prompt and handwrite their response in a paper writing test booklet.
- Students in Grades 4-5 view their writing prompt on the computer and handwrite their response in a paper writing response booklet.
- Paper accommodations are available as required by a student’s IEP or 504 plan.
- Paper administrations are available for newcomers with a proficiency level of 2.9 or less.
- The Kindergarten and Alternate ACCESS for ELLs are administered on paper.
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Test Preparation and Training
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WIDA-required training courses for ACCESS for ELLs Grades 1-12, Kindergarten ACCESS and Alternate ACCESS are available in the WIDA Secure Portal. Additional required trainings for Test Security and Active Monitoring are posted in the Training Management System.
The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) also offers optional in-person trainings on test administration for District Assessment Coordinators as well as in-person trainings for Test Administrators who administer Kindergarten ACCESS for ELLs. Information on ACCESS test administration training for 2018-19 will be posted in the fall.
Requirements for Selecting ACCESS and Alternate ACCESS for ELLs Test Administrators
- For Kindergarten ACCESS and Alternate ACCESS, Test Administrators must be licensed teachers. It is strongly recommended that raters of the Speaking domain are trained in second language acquisition. In addition for Alternate ACCESS, MDE strongly recommends that the Test Administrator is someone who is familiar with the student's response mode and with whom the student feels comfortable.
- For grades 1–12 of ACCESS:
- For the online administration of the grades 1–12 ACCESS, the Test Administrator may be selected using the ranked criteria provided above for MCA.
- For the paper-based administrations:
- Speaking domain: The Test Administrator must be a licensed teacher. It is strongly recommended that raters of the Speaking domain are trained in second language acquisition.
- All other domains: The Test Administrator may be selected using the ranked criteria provided above for MCA.
Requirements for Training ACCESS and Alternate ACCESS for ELLs Test Administrators
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Manuals, Guides and Test Materials
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Minnesota English Learner Screener Guidance
- Contains state-specific guidance on identification and placement of ELLs in Minnesota, including information about the use of Kindergarten W-APT, WIDA MODEL (for Kindergarten), and WIDA Screener.
Using English Language Proficiency Screeners in Minnesota
- Contains state-specific guidance on Screener assessment administration, including Q&A and links to resources.
Procedures Manual for Minnesota Assessments
- Contains information about responsible test administration practices that help staff make informed decisions about properly administering statewide assessments in your district or charter school. Information specific to administering the ACCESS and Alternate ACCESS for ELLs can be found in each chapter.
WIDA AMS Supplement - Submit Incomplete Domain
- This supplement describes the Submit Incomplete Domain process and functionality.
Rater Reliability - ACCESS Paper Speaking
- A guidance document that explains what rater reliability is, why it is important and how it can be achieved.
Rater Reliability Calculator - ACCESS Paper Speaking
- A tool to report rater reliability statistics for raters who administer and score the ACCESS for ELLs Paper Speaking Test.
Using the Rater Reliability Calculator - ACCESS Paper Speaking
- A how-to-guide that explains the use of the rater reliability calculator.
Standards and Instructional Support
Minnesota Standards Alignment Report (PDF)
- Presents the results of an alignment study conducted in 2011 to examine the relationship between the Model Performance Indicators (MPIs) contained in the WIDA English Language Proficiency (ELP) Standards 2007 Edition, and the Minnesota Academic Standards in Math and Science.
English Language Development Standards Implementation (PDF)
- Provides guidance and support to educators as they implement the WIDA ELD Standards.
Professional Learning
New eLearning Opportunities in Minnesota
- This document describes four new on-demand, self-paced professional learning options available at no charge to Minnesota schools and districts for 2018-19.
Minnesota District Coordinator for WIDA eLearning Accounts
- This document invites districts and charter schools to designate one or more District Coordinators for WIDA eLearning Accounts (District Learning Coordinator). The document describes the MDE partnership with WIDA to offer on-demand, self-paced eLearning content at no charge to K-12 educators and administrators in Minnesota. It also describes the process to identify District Learning Coordinators to facilitate creation of local accounts.
WIDA Professional Learning in Minnesota, 2018-19
- This document describes the Minnesota Department of Education sponsored WIDA Professional Learning Workshops that will be offered during the 2018-19 academic year.
District Learning Coordinator Account Creation Guide
- District Learning Coordinators can follow the directions in this document to create accounts in the WIDA Secure Portal.
- An overview of the eLearning workshops that will be available in 2018-19.
Early Years Membership
WIDA Early Years Member State since 2019.
For state-specific information about WIDA Early Years professional learning, resources, and other member benefits, visit Minnesota Department of Education, Early Learning or contact Eileen Nelson at eileen.nelson@state.mn.us or (651) 582-8464.