Missouri
Member of the WIDA Consortium since 2010.
Assessment
Missouri uses WIDA Screener for Kindergarten and WIDA Screener Online (for Grades 1-12) to identify English learners (ELs). ACCESS for ELLs is given to all ELLs during the annual testing window, which typically runs for eight weeks starting in early January.
Testing Dates
| 9/20/24 | Districts receive WIDA Alternate ACCESS reports - Online |
|---|---|
| 10/10/24 | Districts receive WIDA Alternate ACCESS reports - Printed |
| 9/27/24 - 11/1/24 | Test Materials Ordering in WIDA AMS – LEAs |
| 11/1/24 - 2/28/25 | WIDA AMS Test Setup Available for Registrations |
| 12/2/24 - 12/4/24 | Districts Receive Test Materials |
| 1/6/25 - 3/7/25 | Test Window |
| 12/2/24 - 2/28/25 | Additional Test Material Ordering Window in WIDA AMS |
| 4/4/25 | Deadline for Shipping Completed Test Materials to DRC - Postmark date |
| 4/29/25 - 5/6/25 | Pre-Reporting Data Validation – LEAs in WIDA AMS |
| 5/22/25 | Districts Receive Reports and Data - Posted in WIDA AMS |
| 6/10/25 - 6/12/25 | Printed Reports Received in Districts |
| 6/13/25 - 6/19/25 | Post-Reporting Data Validation – LEAs in WIDA AMS |
| 7/7/25 | Updated ACCESS and Alternate ACCESS Data Posted in WIDA AMS |
Requirements and Resources
See below for state-specific information and resources related to ELL 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
- State Testing Requirements
Screener
LEAs have 30 calendar days from the beginning of the school year/enrollment to identify the student. If your LEA receives a new student from another LEA or state that is part of the Consortium AND the student has a WIDA Screener or ACCESS for ELLs score report, they will not need to be re-screened.ACCESS
Students in grades 1-12 will take the online version of ACCESS. Kindergarten ACCESS and Alternate ACCESS remain paper-based assessments. Students in grades 1-3 will view the Writing domain prompts and write their responses in a physical response booklet. Students in grades 4-12 will complete all domains on the computer. Schools may administer the paper-based version to students when required by an IEP or 504 Plan or if the district decides that the level of exposure to technology will have an impact on student performance.- Test Preparation and Training
Test Preparation
WIDA ACCESS is not a content that test students study to do well. Instead, students should focus on doing their best to demonstrate their language abilities. Prior to the assessment, you can help familiarize students with the kind of content they will encounter on the test, become familiar with the INSIGHT platform and give them a chance to practice the different question types.A number of resources to help with preparing students can be found on the DESE EL Assessment page.
Training
Individual test administrators must be trained prior to administration of the assessment, and agree to maintain the security of test questions.For the WIDA Screener, a test examiner must complete the required training prior to giving the assessment the first time. Afterwards, the district determines how often the examiner must retake the training. If an examiner has not taken the training in the last three years, they must complete it prior to screening any students.
For WIDA ACCESS, a test examiner must complete the required training prior to giving the assessment each year. Your district testing coordinator or EL coordinator will be tracking electronically who has completed the training.
All training for the WIDA Screener and WIDA ACCESS is located on the WIDA Secure Portal.
- Manuals, Guides and Test Materials
Visit the DESE EL Assessment page for links to the most updated manuals, guides and resources.
- Additional Resources
DESE Assessment – Contains links to Manuals and Resources for Test Coordinators, Test Examiners and IT staff all in one location. Some links provided may require a login to the WIDA Secure Portal.
These resources include:
- ACCESS for ELLs Test Administration Manual
- Accessibility and Accommodations - Missouri Supplement
- EL Language Codes
- EL Newcomer Kit
- Quick Reference Guides
- WIDA Screener Online Test Administration Manual
- Speaking Test Resources
- Technology Troubleshooting Guides
- Additional EL Resources
Standards and Instructional Support
The MELL staff, located across the state, can help districts with professional development opportunities, EL/Migrant identification, building capacity in education programs and strategies, assistance to districts in enhancing English language proficiency and academic achievement of ELs among others.
Please see the MELL Coverage MAP to find your local MELL specialist.
Professional Learning
For information on Professional Learning in Missouri, please visit our English Language Development page or contact Cammy Goucher, Director of ELD, at 573-751-3926 or cammy.goucher@dese.mo.gov.