Learn About ACCESS Standard Setting 2026

What happens before, during and after standard setting?

Before

WIDA works with WIDA Consortium leaders and expert partners to plan the event. Here are some examples of what takes place during the planning phase:

• WIDA gathers input and feedback from SEA and assessment experts by meeting with
  • WIDA Subcommittees
  • WIDA Technical Advisory Committee (TAC)
  • WIDA Executive Committee
• WIDA chooses the standard setting methodologies that panelists will use during the event.
• WIDA works with DRC and CAL to create training materials for event participants.

WIDA recruits standard setting panelists. Here are some examples of what takes place during the recruitment phase:

• SEAs select expert educators in their states, territories or federal agencies to apply to participate. Applicants must meet these requirements:
  • Experience teaching or directly supporting the instruction of English Learners in U.S. K-12 public schools in the past three years
  • Familiarity with the WIDA ELD Standards Framework
  • Experience administering ACCESS Online, ACCESS Paper or Kindergarten ACCESS
  • Experience working with English learners who have individualized education plans
  • Reflect the demographic makeup of English learners in their state
• WIDA selects panelists to participate in the event. 

DRC completes the scoring process for 2025-2026 WIDA ACCESS.

During

More than 100 panelists will gather in person to conduct the standard setting. Panelists will be divided into 13 groups assigned to various grade levels. Some groups will cover the Listening and Reading domains, and some will cover the Speaking and Writing domains. A group focused on kindergarten will cover all four domains.

In their small groups, panelists will apply standard setting methodology, their familiarity with the WIDA ELD Standards Framework and their expertise in teaching multilingual learners to determine the cut score that separates one proficiency level from another. For example, what level of performance does a student need to achieve to receive a proficiency level of 3 versus 2 at their grade level?

After

WIDA works with WIDA Consortium leaders and expert partners to finalize the results of the standard setting event. Here are some examples of what happens during the finalization phase:

• WIDA analyzes panelist decisions and creates final proficiency level cut score tables.
• The WIDA Executive Committee and WIDA TAC review the standard setting process and issue their endorsement of the process.
• WIDA shares standard setting results with the WIDA Consortium.
• The consortium kicks off the administration of 2026-2027 WIDA ACCESS in December.
• WIDA implements new proficiency level cut scores in spring 2027.
• WIDA releases new WIDA ACCESS Individual Score Reports, which feature WIDA ELD Standards Framework, 2020 Edition-based Proficiency Level Descriptors, in spring 2027. 

“WIDA has designed a thoughtful, research-based plan for establishing performance levels on ACCESS. The plan has included input from diverse constituencies, including the Technical Advisory Committee that comprises members with deep expertise in standard setting methodologies. I am confident that all aspects of the plan will work together to yield a defensible, valid system of performance standards for the next generation of ACCESS.”
— Gregory Cizek, co-author of “Standard Setting: A Guide to Establishing and Evaluating Performance Standards on Tests” and WIDA TAC member

How does standard setting impact 2026 ACCESS scores?

Since standard setting happens in July after score reports are prepared, everyone will need to approach 2026 ACCESS score reports a bit differently:

• You can use ACCESS 2025-2026 scores to make decisions about students for the 2026-2027 school year – either to exit students from English learner services or decide on classroom placement.
• Proficiency levels are grade-level interpretations of scale scores. You can use proficiency levels to exit students (based on your SEA’s policy) or to identify individual student strengths and areas for improvement.
• You may consider the 2025-2026 scale scores as a new baseline to measure growth as they cannot be directly compared to scale scores from previous years.

When reviewing student results, WIDA recommends you also consider

• Gathering additional classroom evidence throughout the year to help keep track of student growth and skill level.
• Using classroom assessments or other interim measures to get an idea of your students’ proficiency levels at the start, middle and end of the school year.
• Gathering data from your students’ content teachers to track progress in specific subject areas.
• Connecting with your students’ families to get a sense of how their language development is progressing at home.