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
| 10/24/22-11/21/22 | Test materials ordering in AMS (LEAs) |
|---|---|
| 1/17/23-3/27/23 | WIDA AMS test setup available for test sessions |
| 1/17/23 | Districts receive test materials |
| 1/17/23-3/17/23 | Additional test materials ordering window in AMS |
| 2/1/23-3/24/23 | Test Window |
| 4/3/23 | Deadline for shipping completed test materials to DRC |
| 5/19/23 | Districts receive reports – Online |
| 6/6/23 | Districts receive reports – 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
-
State Testing Requirements
-
- All students identified as English Learners on or before March 10, 2023 are required to complete the ACCESS for ELLs Online test during the 2023 test administration window.
- Beginning with the 2022 administration, New Hampshire will require 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.
- Schoolwide administration of the paper test for any reason MUST be approved by the state prior to ordering tests.
- 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:
- To administer any WIDA Screener, educators must hold NH ESOL certification and complete the WIDA Test Administrator training annually. 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 Online ACCESS 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.
- To download the 2020 Edition or supporting resources, visit the WIDA ELD Standards Framework webpage
- To order printed booklets, visit the WIDA Store
Professional Learning
Starting September 1, 2022, 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.