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

10/5/23-11/15/23Test Materials Ordering via WIDA AMS – LEAs
10/5/23-11/15/23LEAs Load Pre-ID/Student Import File into WIDA AMS
11/14/23-3/22/24WIDA AMS Test Setup Available for Registrations
1/8/24Districts Receive Test Materials
1/8/24-3/15/24Additional Test Material Ordering Window in WIDA AMS
1/16/24-3/22/24Test Window
3/29/24Deadline for Shipping Completed Test Materials to DRC
4/19/24-4/29/24Pre-Reporting Data Validation – LEAs in WIDA AMS
5/15/24Districts Receive ACCESS Reports and Data Files - Online in WIDA AMS
6/4/24Districts Receive ACCESS Reports – Printed
6/11/24-6/20/24Post-Reporting Data Validation – LEAs in WIDA AMS
7/5/24Updated Data Available in WIDA AMS
9/18/24Districts Receive WIDA Alternate ACCESS Reports and Data Files – Online in WIDA AMS
10/10/24Districts Receive WIDA Alternate ACCESS 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 ChecklistIdentification and Placement Guidance

State Testing Requirements

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.

Test Preparation and Training
  • 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, 2023, educators in Virginia have access to WIDA’s Self-paced Workshops 2023-2024 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.

  • Bringing Language Into Focus: Expectations, Functions, and Features Webinar - 9/21 & 10/5/2023 (4:00-5:30pm) (NO LONGER AVAILABLE)
  • Scaffolding Learning Through Language In-Person Workshop - 10/25 & 10/26/2023 in Richmond
  • ACCESS for ELLs Overview Webinar 11/16/2023 (10:00-11:30am)
  • WIDA Alternate ACCESS Test Administrator Webinar 11/16/2023 (3:30-5:00pm)
  • Considerations When Educating Bilingual Learners with Identified Learning Disabilities Hybrid Workshop - 2/5-5/17/2023 and Synchronous session 4/15/2023 (8:00-9:00am)
  • Interpreting ACCESS for ELLs Score Reports for Instruction In-Person Workshop - 4/23/2024 in Roanoke
  • Interpreting ACCESS for ELLs Score Reports for Instruction In-Person Workshop - 4/25/2024 in Richmond

Contacts

Louise Marks
Title III Coordinator
(804) 750-8733
louise.marks@doe.virginia.gov

Jo-el Cox
Coordinator - English Learner Instruction
(804) 750-8157
jo-el.cox@doe.virginia.gov

LaShel Bradley
EL Assessment Coordinator and Title III Specialist
(804) 225-2102
LaShel.Bradley@doe.virginia.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 Division Director of Testing.
  • New Division Directors of Testing should contact LaShel Bradley 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), and is where 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 Division Director of Testing.
  • New Division Directors of Testing should contact LaShel Bradley to create an account.
  • For assistance accessing your account, contact DRC Customer Service at wida@datarecognitioncorp.com or call (855) 787-9615.