Virginia
Member of the WIDA Consortium since 2008.
Assessments
Virginia uses WIDA Screener for Kindergarten or WIDA MODEL to identify English Learners (ELs) in Kindergarten and the WIDA Screener or WIDA MODEL for Grades 1-12. ACCESS for ELLs is given to all ELs during the annual testing window, which typically lasts from early January through late March.
Testing Dates
| 10/5/22-11/15/22 | Test materials ordering available in AMS (LEAs) |
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| 10/5/22-11/15/22 | Load Pre-ID file into AMS (LEAs) |
| 11/16/22-3/24/23 | WIDA AMS test setup available for test sessions |
| 1/4/23 | Districts receive test materials |
| 1/4/23-3/17/23 | Additional test materials ordering window in AMS |
| 1/17/23-3/24/23 | Test Window |
| 3/31/23 | Deadline for shipping completed test materials to DRC |
| 4/21/23-5/1/23 | Pre-reporting data validation – LEAs in AMS |
| 5/17/23 | Districts receive reports – Online |
| 6/6/23 | Districts receive reports – Printed |
| 6/12/23-6/21/23 | Post-reporting data validation – LEAs in AMS |
| 7/7/23 | Data posted in 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 Online Checklist ACCESS for ELLs Paper ChecklistIdentification and Placement Guidance
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State Testing Requirements
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School divisions specify whether online or paper-based tests will be administered during the Pre-ID upload window. Divisions have three options:
- All ELLs in Grades 1-12 take the online assessment (with an option to respond to the Writing domain in a physical response booklet);
- All ELLs in Grades 1-12 take the paper-based assessment; or
- Some ELLs in Grades 1-12 take the online assessment and others take the paper-based assessment.
Kindergarten ACCESS and Alternate ACCESS remain paper-based assessments.
By default, students in Grades 4-5 taking ACCESS Online keyboard their Writing responses. If necessary, Writing response booklets can be ordered during the Additional Materials Ordering window.
Additional information regarding the administration of ELP assessments in Virginia can be found on the Virginia English Language Proficiency Assessments website.
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Test Preparation and Training
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- ACCESS training courses and certification quizzes can be found in the WIDA Secure Portal. Contact your Division Director of Testing if you do not have an account.
- WIDA Screener for Kindergarten and WIDA Screener training and test materials are located in the WIDA Secure Portal. Contact your Division Director of Testing if you do not have an account.
- To be certified to administer ACCESS, test administrators must complete the applicable training course and pass the certification quiz with an 80% or higher. Test administrators must complete all training components, including certification quizzes, annually.
- Alternate ACCESS test administrators must complete the online training course and pass the certification quiz with an 80% or higher. Contact your Division Director of Testing to find out more information on local Alternate ACCESS training.
- Proof of certification can be found in the WIDA Secure Portal. You may also be asked to submit physical proof to your Division Director of Testing. Contact your DDOT for more information.
- For information on training for the administration of the ACCESS for ELLs Test, view the WIDA module titled “Administering the Test” in the Online ACCESS for ELLs: Administration training course.
Standards and Instructional Support
The WIDA ELD Standards Framework, 2020 Edition, was released in December 2020. To learn more about Virginia’s implementation of the 2020 Edition, please visit Virginia's English Learner Education Webpage.
Professional Learning
Starting Sept. 1, 2022, educators in Virginia have access to WIDA’s Self-paced Workshops 2022-2023 offerings. View the Self-paced Workshops flyer for full workshop descriptions and intended audiences.
All self-paced workshops are free and available in the WIDA Secure Portal. Don’t have a WIDA Secure Portal account? Contact your Title III Coordinator for more information.
Please see the Virginia Department of Education English Learner Instruction website to learn more about WIDA Facilitated Virtual Workshops.
Information about additional workshops sponsored by the Virginia Department of Education are communicated via EL Instruction Newsletters.
Early Years Membership
WIDA Early Years Member State since 2021.
For state-specific information about WIDA Early Years professional learning, resources, and other member benefits visit the Early Years Member States page.