Introducing WIDA ACCESS for Kindergarten and WIDA Alternate ACCESS

In this edition of WIDA in New York, we introduce you to WIDA ACCESS for Kindergarten, our summative English language proficiency (ELP) assessment for kindergarten students. Then we’ll discuss WIDA Alternate ACCESS, our summative ELP assessment for English learners with the most significant cognitive disabilities in grades K-12.

WIDA ACCESS for Kindergarten

WIDA ACCESS for Kindergarten (Kindergarten ACCESS) is a developmentally appropriate paper-based test that is individually administered to kindergarten English learners.

Kindergarten ACCESS Test Administration

• All four domains are administered in one test session that lasts approximately 45 minutes. Total test time varies based on the student’s English language proficiency level.
• The test is centered around a storybook that the test administrator reads at the start of the test.
• Students begin by responding to Listening and Speaking items, which are grouped together. The Writing test is next, followed by Reading.
• Kindergarten ACCESS includes several “stopping points” throughout the test. At these points, the test administrator determines whether the student should continue with the domain or move on to the next part, based on the student’s performance and guidance in the Test Administrator Script.

Accessibility and Accommodations for Kindergarten ACCESS

• Many accessibility features are included in the test design of Kindergarten ACCESS.
• The test is available in different formats to support students with disabilities, including large print and low-vision options.

Scoring for Kindergarten ACCESS

• Test administrators score the entirety of Kindergarten ACCESS. Rubrics are provided for the scoring of the Speaking and Writing tests, and the Kindergarten ACCESS training course contains scoring practice to support test administrators. Access to training courses will be provided in September 2026.
• Data Recognition Corporation (DRC) processes the test booklets and generates the final scores.

WIDA Alternate ACCESS

WIDA Alternate ACCESS (Alternate ACCESS) is a large-print, paper-based test that is individually administered to English learners with the most significant cognitive disabilities in grades K-12. Districts follow guidance from their state education agency and WIDA to determine the most appropriate assessment for English learners: WIDA ACCESS (Online, Paper or Kindergarten), WIDA ACCESS with appropriate accommodations or WIDA Alternate ACCESS.

Alternate ACCESS Test Administration

• Alternate ACCESS is available in four grade-level clusters: K-2, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12.
• All four domains are administered in separate test sessions that take about 30 minutes each. WIDA tests are not timed, and due to the design of the test and the unique abilities and behaviors of students, test times may vary. Domains may be administered in any order.
• The test is designed to provide students with multiple opportunities to respond to test items, with an increasing level of support from the test administrator.
• Similar to Kindergarten ACCESS, Alternate ACCESS contains “stopping points” where the test administrator follows guidance in the Test Administrator Script to determine whether to continue or move to the next domain if the student has reached their performance ceiling.

Accessibility and Accommodations for Alternate ACCESS

• Many accessibility features are included in the test design of Alternate ACCESS.
• The test booklet can be cut apart and pieces attached to an eye-gaze board, mounted on blocks or arranged in other ways to support the communication needs of students taking the test.

Scoring for Alternate ACCESS

• Test administrators score Alternate ACCESS. During the Speaking and Writing tests, test administrators score based on whether a student met task level expectations as outlined in the Test Administrator Script.
• DRC processes the Alternate ACCESS test booklets and provides score reports to districts.
• Alternate ACCESS offers an Individual Student Report that can be provided to students and families, as well as a more detailed version for educators.

Explore WIDA Alternate ACCESS

Visit the Alternate ACCESS Sample Items page on the WIDA website to get familiar with this assessment. (Note: Because Kindergarten ACCESS is designed around commonplace classroom activities, we don’t have sample items for this test available on the website.)

Coming Up Next

We’ll be back this fall with more information to help prepare you for the first year of WIDA ACCESS and WIDA Alternate ACCESS testing. Stay tuned for more information about WIDA Secure Portal and WIDA Assessment Management System (WIDA AMS) accounts, training courses, technology supports and professional learning.

Upcoming Webinar Opportunities

Welcome to WIDA

Join us on Thursday, June 11 from 2:00-3:30 p.m. ET to learn more about WIDA and the introduction of WIDA ACCESS in New York. We’ll share the history of WIDA, explain how our assessments are designed and discuss what you need to know as you prepare to administer WIDA ACCESS in the 2026-2027 school year. We’ll also provide a preview of upcoming assessment training requirements and share where you can find additional updates as we get closer to WIDA ACCESS testing. All New York educators interested in learning more about WIDA and WIDA ACCESS are invited to attend.

Link to Welcome to WIDA Vimeo livestream

WIDA ACCESS Online Technology 101

Join us on Tuesday, June 16 from 2:00-3:30 p.m. ET for a webinar on WIDA online assessment technology. WIDA and experts from DRC, WIDA’s vendor for the WIDA ACCESS Online test platform, will present about the technology requirements for WIDA ACCESS Online, and about the WIDA Assessment Management System (WIDA AMS), DRC’s platform for student and test registration management. We’ll provide a suggested technology implementation roadmap for your district and share key resources to make sure your technology is ready to go for WIDA ACCESS testing in 2026-2027. We encourage test coordinators, test administrators and technology coordinators in New York to attend.

Link to WIDA ACCESS Online Technology 101 Vimeo livestream

Please note: These webinars will be live streamed using Vimeo. If you plan to attend, please work with your IT department as necessary to ensure that Vimeo is not blocked on your local network. Contact WIDA Client Services if you require additional information.

The webinars will be recorded and made available for those unable to attend.

Have Questions? Let Us Help!

Reach out to the experts at the WIDA Client Services Center with questions you have about WIDA resources, products and services. Find contact information and hours of operation on the Contact Us page.

Spread the word! Please share the WIDA in New York newsletter signup form with your New York educator colleagues. Visit the New York member/state page on the WIDA website for additional news and resources.

The New York State Education Department will also continue to share WIDA information as updates become available. For assessment-related questions, please contact the Office of State Assessment (OSA) at emscassessinfo@nysed.gov or 518-474-5902. For inquiries about state policy guidance, reach out to the Office of Bilingual Education and World Languages (OBEWL) at OBEWL@nysed.gov or 518-474-8775.