Northern Mariana Islands
Member of the WIDA Consortium since 2012.
Assessments
Northern Mariana Islands uses WIDA Screener for Kindergarten and WIDA Screener (Grades 1-12) to identify English language learners (ELLs). ACCESS for ELLs is given to all ELLs during the annual testing window, which typically lasts from mid-February through mid-March.
Testing Dates
| 1/23/23-3/23/23 | WIDA AMS test setup available for test sessions |
|---|---|
| 1/18/23 | Districts receive test materials |
| 1/18/23-3/16/23 | Additional test materials ordering window in AMS |
| 2/1/23-3/23/23 | Test Window |
| 3/27/23 | Deadline for shipping completed test materials to DRC |
| 5/3/23 | Districts receive reports – Online |
| 5/19/23 | 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.
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State Testing Requirements
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- Students in Grades 1-12 take ACCESS for ELLs Online. Students in Kindergarten continue to take the assessment through a paper-based kit.
- Students in Grades 1-5 handwrite their responses on the Writing domain.
- Students in Grades 6-12 who are unable to keyboard their Writing responses have the option of handwriting their responses. Writing Response Booklets for students in Grades 6-12 can be ordered during the Additional Test Material Ordering Window, if necessary.
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Test Preparation and Training
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- ACCESS for ELLs training courses can be found on the WIDA Secure Portal. Test Administrators must review the applicable courses and pass the relevant certification quizzes with a score of 80% or higher to be certified.
- Recorded webinars on a variety of ACCESS-related topics are available in the WIDA Secure Portal. Educators can also visit the Professional Learning page to register for live webinars, if desired.
- To be certified to administer ACCESS, Test Administrators are required to review the appropriate ACCESS training course and pass the associated certification quiz with a score of 80% or higher.
- ACCESS training courses are located on the WIDA Secure Portal. Contact your District Test Coordinator if you do not have an account.
- CNMI-PSS recommends that educators complete training and certification annually, but recertification is not required if the educator has completed training the previous year.
- Your District Test Coordinator will be able to view your proof of certification, but may require you to submit a physical copy. Contact your District Test Coordinator for more information.
Professional Learning
Beginning September 1, 2019, educators in the Northern Mariana Islands will have the opportunity to participate in six, self-paced, on-demand eWorkshops developed by WIDA; a trusted name in the field of English learner education and assessment. The following eWorkshops will be available in the eLearning Center of the WIDA Secure Portal:
- Using the WIDA Writing Rubric
- Leading for Equity: Classroom Walkthrough
- Classroom Educators: Engaging Newcomer English Learners
- Language for Learning in Mathematics
- Doing and Talking STEM
- Foundational Concepts for K-12 Educators
WIDA eWorkshops cover a range of topics intended for a variety of audiences, from K-12 classroom teachers to English as a Second Language Specialists to district and school administrators. All eWorkshops are FREE and available when and where it is convenient for you!! View the eWorkshops flyer for full descriptions and intended audiences.
Need a secure portal account to access the eLearning workshops? Contact Fasefulu Tigilau fasefulu.tigilau@cnmipss.org at the CNMI Department of Education.