Minnesota

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

State Testing Requirements

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.

Test Preparation and Training

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

• Training Requirements for ACCESS and Alternate ACCESS for ELLs (PDF)

Manuals, Guides and Test Materials

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.