New Hampshire

Member of the WIDA Consortium since 2004.

Assessments

New Hampshire has approved the use of the WIDA Screener Online for students in grades 1-12 and the WIDA Screener for Kindergarten to help determine eligibility of English learners (ELs).

ACCESS for ELLs is administered to all identified ELs during the annual testing window, which typically runs for seven weeks, beginning at the beginning of February through March.

Testing Dates

12/7/23Test Materials Ordering Via Pre-ID/Student Import File (SEA)
1/17/24-3/29/24WIDA AMS Test Setup Available for Registrations
1/17/24Districts Receive Test Materials 
1/17/24-3/15/24Additional Test Material Ordering Window in WIDA AMS
2/1/24-3/22/24Test Window
4/2/24Deadline for Shipping Completed Test Materials to DRC
5/20/24ACCESS Reports and Data Files Available – Online in WIDA AMS 
6/4/24ACCESS Reports Available in District – Printed
9/18/24WIDA Alternate ACCESS Reports and Data Files Available – Online in WIDA AMS
10/7/24WIDA Alternate ACCESS Reports Available in District - Printed

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 Online Checklist ACCESS for ELLs Paper Checklist Identification and Placement Guidance

State Testing Requirements
  • All students identified as English Learners on or before March 10, 2024 are required to complete the ACCESS for ELLs Online test during the 2023 test administration window.
  • Beginning with the 2022 administration, New Hampshire required all schools to administer the ACCESS for ELLs Online assessment. The ACCESS for ELLs Paper assessment is available for: (1) Identified SLIFE (Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education); and/or (2) Students whose IEPs or 504 plans require paper administration of state assessments.   
  • LEAs may order a paper-based ACCESS for ELLs test on a student-by-student basis during the ordering process. The decision must be based on the student’s individual needs.
  • Students in Grades 1-3 handwrite responses to the Writing domain in a response booklet.
  • Only students who are or are likely to be eligible for the State Alternate Assessment (DLM) are eligible for the Alternate ACCESS for ELLs assessment.
Test Preparation and Training

WIDA Screener:

  • NHED strongly encourages the WIDA Screener to be administered by educators who hold a NH ESOL license. However, due to the critical shortage of licensed ESOL educators in New Hampshire, any NH certified educator will be allowed to administer the WIDA Screener Online. It will continue to be required that the WIDA Screener Online be scored by a licensed ESOL educator and that the WIDA Screener for Kindergarten and WIDA Screener Paper be administered and scored by a licensed ESOL educator. 
  • To qualify as a Test Administrator, teachers must: (1) hold certification in NH; AND (2) complete the WIDA online training available through the WIDA Secure Portal with a quiz score of 80% or higher for any WIDA screener used during initial identification. WIDA TA Certifications are considered valid if completed during the current academic year.
  • Student and Test Management for WIDA Screener Online takes place in the WIDA Assessment Management System (AMS). Contact your District Test Coordinator or DRC Customer Service if you require assistance with your WIDA AMS account.

ACCESS for ELLs:

  • Due to the critical shortage of licensed ESOL educators in NH, any NH certified educator is authorized to administer the ACCESS for ELLs Online assessment for Grades 1-12 after successful completion of the WIDA Test Administrator certification.
  • To administer ACCESS for ELLs Paper for Grades 1-12, Kindergarten ACCESS, or Alternate ACCESS, Test Administrators must hold NH ESOL certification.
  • All educators identified as WIDA Test Administrators (TAs), MUST have a valid TA certificate at the time of testing. WIDA TA Certifications are considered valid if completed during the current academic year.
  • Proof of certification can be found in the WIDA Secure Portal. Contact your District Test Coordinator to find out whether physical proof must be submitted locally. The state does not collect physical proof of completion, but will be monitoring satisfactory and timely completion through the WIDA Secure Portal.
  • Test Administrators for Alternate ACCESS must also be familiar with the EL student, including the student’s communication style, IEP, and all approved accommodations.
  • Paraprofessionals and personal care aides are NOT eligible to administer ACCESS for ELLs.
Exit and Reclassification of ELs
Additional Resources

Standards and Instructional Support

The NH Department of Education began to implement the revised WIDA English Language Development (ELD) Standards Framework, 2020 Edition, during the 2021-2022 school year.

Professional Learning

Starting September 1, 2023, all NH public school educators with a school district email will have access to the WIDA Self-Paced Workshop Offerings. All of these workshops are free and available through the WIDA Secure Portal. Don’t have a WIDA Secure Portal account? Contact your district test coordinator or the WIDA Client Services Center at help@wida.us or (866) 276-7735.

 

Contacts

Kristen Crawford
Assessment Administrator
(603) 931-2084
kristen.s.crawford@doe.nh.gov

Janna Jobel
English Learner and Title III Education Consultant
(603) 568-8813
Janna.M.Jobel@doe.nh.gov

WIDA Client Services Center 
Contact us for questions about training materials or test administration procedures, classroom resources, or for problems with your WIDA Secure Portal account.

help@wida.us
(866) 276-7735

Logging In

WIDA Secure Portal 
Use the WIDA Secure Portal to access test training manuals and resources, as well as Online Professional Learning modules.

  • To obtain a new login as a Test Administrator, contact your District Test Coordinator.
  • New District Test Coordinators should contact the NH DOE to request an account.
  • For assistance with your account, contact the WIDA Client Services Center at help@wida.us or call (866) 276-7735.

WIDA Assessment Management System (WIDA AMS) 
WIDA AMS is managed by our partner company Data Recognition Corporation (DRC). You can order ACCESS materials, manage your student and test information, and find technology resources and testing software via WIDA AMS.

  • To obtain a new login, contact your District Test Coordinator.
  • New District Test Coordinators should contact DRC Customer Service to request an account.
  • For assistance accessing your account, contact DRC Customer Service at wida@datarecognitioncorp.com or call (855) 787-9615.