Resources/Recursos

Use this ALTELLA Research Brief to distinguish between language and communication. The brief covers how multilingual learners with significant cognitive disabilities use both language and communication.

Released September 2025

This ALTELLA Research Brief explains the Language and Disability Needs Framework. The brief focuses on considerations of students’ language-related and disability-related needs and their implications for instruction and assessment.

Released September 2025

Use this ALTELLA Research Brief as a step-by-step guide on how to best serve multilingual learners with significant cognitive disabilities more effectively.

Released September 2025

This ALTELLA Research Brief provides case examples of multilingual learners who have significant cognitive disabilities. The brief has five student examples: Sabeen (grade 1), Chung (grade 2), Chue (grade 4), Isabel (grade 6) and Luis (grade 10).

Released September 2025

Use this ALTELLA Research Brief to plan and prepare for IEP meetings for multilingual learners with significant cognitive disabilities. The brief highlights key elements to consider, including the importance of the student’s home language and the need to build cultural responsiveness among all educators.

Released September 2025

This ALTELLA Research Brief defines “English learners with significant cognitive disabilities” and explores related key concepts.

Released September 2025

This Individual Characteristics Questionnaire was developed in 2018 by the ALTELLA project. Anyone can use the ALTELLA Individual Characteristics Questionnaire (fillable PDF) to collect characteristic information on a multilingual learner with a disability.

Note: A slightly different Individual Characteristics Questionnaire is part of the WIDA Alternate ACCESS test materials.

Released September 2025

WIDA offers Professional Learning that you can complete when you want, where you want, and at your own pace. Ready to get started? This resource will show you what offerings are available and how you can access them.

Released September 2025

Use this rubric to score speaking responses for WIDA ACCESS tests only.

Note: To score WIDA Screener and the WIDA ACCESS Braille Speaking test, refer to the WIDA Speaking Scoring Scale: Grades 1-12.

Released August 2025

Use this rubric to score writing responses for WIDA ACCESS tests only.

Note: To score WIDA Screener, refer to the WIDA Writing Scoring Scale: Grades 1-12.

Released August 2025

This video models a supportive conversation between a teacher and a Spanish-speaking parent to show how educators and families can advocate for inclusive practices that center family perspectives. The video features people speaking in Spanish.

Released August 2025

This WIDA Snapshot offers an introduction to awareness, one of the six ABCs of Family and Community Engagement. The ABCs of Family and Community Engagement are six key considerations for educators who support multilingual learners and their families and communities. 

Released August 2025

This WIDA Snapshot offers an introduction to advocacy, one of the six ABCs of Family and Community Engagement. The ABCs of Family and Community Engagement are six key considerations for educators who support multilingual learners and their families and communities.

Released August 2025

This WIDA Snapshot offers an introduction to building trust, one of the six ABCs of Family and Community Engagement. The ABCs of Family and Community Engagement are six key considerations for educators who support multilingual learners and their families and communities. 

Released August 2025

This WIDA Snapshot provides guidance on how to use the WIDA Language Charts to collaborate and plan instruction.

Released August 2025

Use this research-based summary to dive deeper into the evidence underpinning six key considerations of family and community engagement — Awareness, Advocacy, Building Trust, Breaking Barriers, Collaboration, and Connection to Learning. This resource offers a concise synthesis of scholarly literature about each key consideration along with guiding questions you can use individually or collaboratively with your team.

Review this synopsis along with the Infographic and Look-Fors: ABCs of Family and Community Engagement. Together, they provide a visual roadmap for action plus a foundation of evidence to support conversations and decisions.

For more practical resources about the ABCs, please visit the Engaging Families and Communities page.

Released August 2025

Este resumen de investigación explora casos de estudio específicos en relación a la pracademia y como se ve en la práctica. Los casos presentados ilustran que la investigación en el aula es factible y tiene un gran impacto. Los educadores tienen mucho que aportar significativamente a la investigación académica a través de su trabajo. Sin embargo, estos ejemplos también conciencian sobre el hecho de que si bien se trata de educadores y esfuerzos ejemplares es necesario implementar cambios sistémicos para abordar los desafíos que podrá enfrentar el universo de educadores de aula y que no todos los ejemplos tendrán el mismo éxito que los que hemos leído sin los recursos y apoyo necesarios.

Released July 2025

This research brief explores specific case studies on what pracademics looks in practice. The cases presented illustrate that research within the classroom is both feasible and impactful. Educators have a lot to meaningfully contribute to scholarship through their work. However, these examples also raise awareness on the fact that while these are exemplary educators and efforts, there are systemic changes that need to occur to address the challenges that the general educator population could face and that not all examples can be successful if the needed supports are not in place.

Released July 2025

ACCESS for ELLs Paper technical reports provide evidence for validity and reliability of ACCESS for ELLs Paper and support intended uses, interpretations, and decision made with the test. This is the redacted report for the 2023-2024 administration of ACCESS for ELLs Paper without item information.

NOTE: Both the View and Download Now links will prompt a download of a zip file that contains three files: Part 1: Executive Summary, Purpose, Design, and Implementation; Part 2: Technical Results; Part 3: References.

Released June 2025

ACCESS for ELLs Online technical reports provide evidence for validity and reliability of ACCESS for ELLs Online and support intended uses, interpretations, and decision made with the test. This is the redacted report for the 2023-2024 administration of ACCESS for ELLs Online without item information.

NOTE: Both the View and Download Now links will prompt a download of a zip file that contains three files: Part 1: Executive Summary, Purpose, Design, and Implementation; Part 2: Technical Results; Part 3: References.

Released June 2025