Revised ACCESS for ELLs Is Coming in 2025-26

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Revised ACCESS for ELLs is a multi-year project to integrate the WIDA ELD Standards Framework, 2020 Edition into ACCESS Online, Paper and Kindergarten ACCESS. Learn more about our work to fully redesign Kindergarten ACCESS on the Redesigned Kindergarten ACCESS Is Coming in 2025-26 webpage. These updated tests will be ready for the 2025-26 ACCESS testing year.

WIDA is improving the tests so that they better match the language instruction happening in your classroom every day. We will be inviting you to get involved in the process by participating in test development events and activities.

Throughout the project, use this page as your go-to spot to learn about what we’re working on and when it’s happening.

What's Happening

Timeline

Fall through Winter 2023

Kindergarten ACCESS for ELLs cognitive labs at select sites throughout the WIDA Consortium

Winter 2023 through Spring 2024

  • ACCESS for ELLs Paper field test in the state of Florida only
  • ACCESS for ELLs Online field test content is embedded in the test (Note: Field test content is always embedded in ACCESS Online)
  • Kindergarten ACCESS for ELLs pilot testing at select sites throughout the WIDA Consortium

Winter 2024 through Spring 2025

  • ACCESS for ELLs Online field test content is embedded in the test
  • Kindergarten ACCESS for ELLs field test at sites that sign up to participate

Winter 2025 through Spring 2026 (and beyond)

Revised ACCESS for ELLs and redesigned Kindergarten ACCESS for ELLs are used by all sites in the WIDA Consortium

Coming up next: ACCESS Score Report Project

What is it?

As we revise ACCESS for ELLs, WIDA researchers want to know how you use the ACCESS for ELLs Individual Student Report (ISR), so that we can explore ways to improve it!

Those selected to take part in the ACCESS Score Report Project will participate in a 30-minute interview over Zoom or in person (depending on the location). During the interview, a WIDA researcher will ask about the information on the ACCESS for ELLs ISR: how you use it and what changes you would like to see. They will also ask for your feedback on a revised version of the ACCESS for ELLs ISR.

WIDA researchers would also like to interview students and ask them the same questions. When you fill out the participation survey, you can tell us whether you have students that WIDA researchers could interview. A WIDA staff member will work with you on coordinating student interviews.

Who participates?

Educators who

  • Support English learners in grades 4-12
  • Have taught English learners for more than one year
  • Have reviewed their students’ 2023-24 ACCESS for ELLs ISRs

Students who

  • Are English learners in grades 4-12
  • Have taken ACCESS for ELLs

When is it?

The project interviews will take place in November 2024.

What are the benefits?

  • Each educator who participates in a project interview will receive a $25 gift card or a $50 gift card if they also helped connect WIDA with students.
  • Each student who participates in a project interview will receive a $25 gift card.

Apply to participate in the score report project!

Fill out the ACCESS score reports project participation survey.

Note: WIDA will contact selected participants on a rolling basis throughout October.

Video Resources

Watch Revising ACCESS: The Impact of the Standards Framework, 2020 Edition (5 minutes) to learn about

  • How ACCESS for ELLs connects to the WIDA English Language Development Standards
  • Key elements of the WIDA ELD Standards Framework, 2020 Edition

Video Transcript

WIDA tip: This video gives a solid intro to ACCESS and the 2020 Edition. Share it with content area educators or anyone who needs a refresher on what ACCESS is and how it connects to the ELD Standards Framework.

Watch Revising ACCESS: Emphasizing Standard 1 in the Listening and Reading Tests (4 minutes) to learn about

  • Standard 1 and how it fits in the WIDA ELD Standards Framework
  • How Standard 1 will affect the structure of Listening and Reading test items

Video Transcript