ALTELLA
Research-based support for English learners with significant cognitive disabilities
Since 2016, WIDA has collaborated with states around the country to champion two large grant projects that focused on conducting research and developing resources and supports for those who work with English learners with the most significant cognitive disabilities. Much of this work was led by WIDA researchers Laurene Christensen and Gary Cook.
When WIDA started these projects, researchers found that many English learners with the most significant cognitive disabilities were not included in their required state English language proficiency (ELP) assessment. There was also limited evidence on the progress toward English proficiency for students with significant cognitive disabilities. These projects sought to gain this critical evidence and help the field ensure student success in school, the path to college, career, and community readiness.
The Alternate English Language Learning Assessment (ALTELLA) project, which ended in 2018, had project goals of examining instructional practices and policies for English learners with significant cognitive disabilities to inform development of an alternate English language proficiency assessment.
The Advancing ALTELLA project, which ended in 2025 and built on the ALTELLA project, had project goals of redesigning Alternate ACCESS for ELLs, WIDA’s alternate ELP assessment, and creating a brand-new alternate screener.
ALTELLA
The ALTELLA project was a partnership between five state departments of education (Arizona, Michigan, Minnesota, South Carolina, West Virginia) and the Wisconsin Center for Education Research. The project was divided into six activities that would help build an alternate ELP assessment:
- Developing an Individual Characteristics Questionnaire (ICQ)
- Observing and interviewing educators who work with English learners with significant cognitive disabilities
- Prioritizing which English language proficiency standards will be included in the assessment blueprint
- Developing templates for innovative items based on existing ELP standards
- Maintaining formal collaboration between partners
- Disseminating project findings for feedback
Browse a list of all ALTELLA research briefs.
Browse a list of all ALTELLA research reports.
Engage with the two ALTELLA project videos! In each video, learn how Cha Kai and Miguel, two young adult multilingual learners with disabilities, spent their time at the Wisconsin Center for Education Research and WIDA.
Advancing ALTELLA: Alternate Assessment Redesign project
The Advancing ALTELLA project was a collaboration among WIDA staff, the WIDA Consortium, the Texas Education Agency and national experts. Project activities included
- Redesigning the WIDA annual alternate English language proficiency assessment, WIDA Alternate ACCESS
- Building a screener that appropriately identifies students to participate in Alternate ACCESS, WIDA Alternate Screener
- Developing professional learning materials that support the implementation and administration of the new and updated assessments
- Leading research that informs assessment development and makes sure test items are meaningful, accessible, and relevant to the population of students taking the assessment
- Disseminating project findings to state education agencies, national experts and policymakers, educators, families, and other interested stakeholders
Learn more about the project and find research briefs and classroom supports on the Advancing ALTELLA website.