South Dakota

Member of the WIDA Consortium since 2008.

Assessments

South Dakota uses WIDA Screener for Kindergarten and WIDA Screener (for grades 1-12) to identify English language learners. ACCESS for ELLs is given to all ELLs during the annual testing window, which typically lasts from late January through early March.

Testing Dates

12/28/23-2/23/24WIDA AMS test setup available for test sessions
1/9/24-1/10/24Districts receive test materials
1/9/24-2/16/24Additional test materials ordering window in AMS
1/23/24-2/23/24Test Window
3/1/24Deadline for shipping completed test materials to DRC
4/26/24Reports and Data Files Available– Online
5/2/24-5/3/24Reports Available in District – Printed
9/12/24Alternate ACCESS Reports and Date Files Available - Online
9/24/24Alternate 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 ChecklistIdentification and Placement Guidance

State Testing Requirements
  • South Dakota administers ACCESS for ELLs Online for students in Grades 1-12. The paper-based version of ACCESS for ELLs can be used for students who require it, as an accommodation as part of their IEP or 504 Plan.
  • Kindergarten and Alternate ACCESS tests remain paper-based assessments.
  • Students in Grades 4-5 keyboard their Writing domain responses.
  • SEA approval is required to order any Writing response booklets for Grades 4-12.
Test Preparation and Training
  • ACCESS training courses are available on the WIDA Secure Portal. Contact your District Test Coordinator to obtain an account.
  • To be considered certified to administer WIDA assessments, including ACCESS for ELLs and WIDA Screener, Test Administrators must be a certified educator, review applicable training course in the WIDA Secure Portal, and pass the appropriate certification quiz with a score of 80% or higher.
  • Test Administrators are required to certify annually for WIDA Screener and ACCESS for ELLs administration.
Manuals and Test Materials

WIDA Screener for Kindergarten and WIDA Screener training and test materials are located in the WIDA Secure Portal. Contact your District Test Coordinator to obtain an account.

Professional Learning

For information on additional available state assessment professional development offerings, please click the Events/PD link on DOE homepage, and/or contact Shari Lord for more information. Registration for Professional Learning opportunities.

Contacts

Yutzil Becker 
South Dakota Title III Director and WIDA Contact
(605) 773-6400
yutzil.becker@state.sd.us

Shari Lord
Title III Program Coordinator
(605) 280-4011
shari.lord@state.sd.us

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, contact your District Test Coordinator.
  • New District Test Coordinators should contact Shari Lord to create 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 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 Shari Lord to create an account.
  • For assistance accessing your account, contact DRC Customer Service at wida@datarecognitioncorp.com or call (855) 787-9615.