Resources/Recursos

This flyer provides a breakdown of the role school/district-level educators, state-level administrators and WIDA play in using or developing ACCESS Online and Paper test scores, interpreting scores and making decisions based on scores to best serve English learners. Plus, there’s a checklist outlining the positive and intended outcomes of using ACCESS Online and Paper scores, so you’ll always know what it takes to ensure your students have the supports they need.

Released July 2022

In this study, completed for the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning, we explore the perceptions, experiences and decision-making of 13 parents of young multilingual children, ages birth to 5 years. The focus revolves around children’s language learning and development, family engagement practices and children’s participation in early care and education (ECE) programs.

Published 2020

Released May 2022

Este informe brinda información sobre el nivel de desarrollo del estudiante en la prueba alternativa de desempeño lingüístico en inglés ACCESS. Esta prueba se basa en los estándares alternativos sobre el desarrollo del idioma inglés de WIDA y se utiliza para medir el progreso de los estudiantes en el aprendizaje del inglés. Los puntajes se informan como Niveles de desempeño lingüístico del idioma y como Escalas de puntaje.

Released February 2022

This WIDA Snapshot provides an overview of who multilingual children are, the benefits of promoting home language(s), and initial ideas for developing reciprocal partnerships with multilingual families.

Released February 2022

These posters bring each of the 10 WIDA Guiding Principles of Language Development to life and can be used by educators in classrooms and with parents, families and community members. Each illustrated guiding principle is set up for printing on a color laser printer. The finished printed size is 8.5x11 inches.

Released January 2022

Motivated by findings of a 2018 WIDA report pointing to large overlap between ELs with Individualized Education Program (IEP) designations and those ELs who could be identified as LTELs, this study further focuses on these dual-identified students. Grouping ELs by ever-IEP (i.e., being assigned an IEP at any point in the longitudinal record) and never-IEP status, we compare these two subgroups’ English language growth trajectories across time. Our findings show consistent trends of differential growth and reclassification rates for these two subgroups.

Published November 2021 
Authors: Narek Sahakyan, Glenn Poole

Released November 2021

This report examines English learners’ (EL) testing, proficiency and growth in the academic years of 2018–19, 2019–20 and 2020–21, using population-level data from ACCESS for ELLs Online, administered across the WIDA Consortium to students identified as ELs. The objective of the report is to shed light on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on ELs’ educational outcomes.

October 2021 
Authors: Narek Sahakyan, H. Gary Cook

Released October 2021

In this webinar, the WIDA standards development team discusses and models the tools, provided in the 2020 Edition, for initiating critical conversations with school leaders and colleagues.

Released March 2021

The WIDA ELD Standards Framework, 2020 Edition brings new practical ways for all educators working with multilingual learners to conceptualize the development of content and language together through asset-based, equitable, and rigorous approaches in curricular design. This session will encourage participants to think about what collaboration looks like in these contexts.

Released February 2021

One of the components of the WIDA ELD Standards Framework is the Key Language Uses (KLUs). The KLUs summarize the most prominent language uses across disciplines, helping educators organize and prioritize curriculum and instruction. Learn about the updated KLUs – Inform, Narrate, Explain and Argue.

Released February 2021

Members of the WIDA standards development team share a high-level overview of what’s new and exciting in the WIDA English Language Development Standards Framework, 2020 Edition. Intended for SEA representatives, district leaders, and EL and content teachers.

Released January 2021

This letter, available in many languages, contains general information about ACCESS for ELLs and is meant to accompany ACCESS for ELLs score reports as an explanation for parents and guardians. It is provided in an editable format to allow districts and schools to include additional information regarding test administration dates and state policy.

Released December 2020

Technology-enhanced items (TEIs) are innovative, computer-delivered test items that are more authentic and interactive than traditional multiple-choice items (MCIs). This study examines the performance of grades 1–12 English learners on TEIs compared to MCIs on the reading domain of ACCESS for ELLs Online.

Published December 2020 
Authors: Ahyoung Alicia Kim, Rurik L. Tywoniw, Mark Chapman

Released December 2020

This video provides an introductory overview of the WIDA English Language Development Standards, 2020 Edition. It briefly highlights how the 2020 Edition fosters the assets, contributions, and potential of multilingual learners.

Released December 2020

This illustrated booklet, available in multiple languages, brings each of the 10 WIDA Guiding Principles of Language Development to life and can be used by educators with parents, families and community members.

Released November 2020

This technical report aids WIDA Consortium members and stakeholders in producing imputed overall composite scale scores and proficiency levels for students who are missing scores in one or two domains due to a disability. 

Published September 2020 
Author: Narek Sahakyan

Released September 2020

Este documento ayuda a los padres y a las familias a comprender la prueba de WIDA ACCESS for ELLs y sus componentes.

Released August 2020

Envíe este folleto de introducción a ACCESS for ELLs en español con los estudiantes cuando la prueba esté programada o como un recordatorio para los padres antes de que se le compartan las puntuaciones. Este folleto explica qué es ACCESS y por qué los estudiantes son evaluados de esta manera. Utilice este recurso para ayudar a los padres a comprender las pruebas anuales de competencia lingüística.

Released August 2020

This Focus Bulletin offers strategies for advancing full and meaningful access in bilingual settings during the mundo actual of COVID-19. The bulletin emphasizes the importance of valuing multilingual learners’ linguistic and cultural wealth, using translanguaging, and leveraging technological resources.

Vea y descargue en español

Published August 2020
Authors: Sam Aguirre, Erika Rosales

Released August 2020

Send this handout, available in multiple languages, home with students as an introduction to ACCESS when testing is scheduled or as a reminder before scores are shared. This flyer explains what ACCESS is and why students take this kind of assessment. Use this resource to help parents understand annual language proficiency testing.

Note: For family handouts that explain English learner status and language testing, refer to the What Is WIDA Screener? and What Is WIDA Alternate Screener? handouts.

Released July 2020