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Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System

Massachusetts ACCESS for ELLs Transfer Policy*

Student Transferring to Another School Within District
Student completed some testing and is moving from:
(see corresponding number at right)
  1. online to paper testing
  2. paper to paper testing
  3. online to online testing
  4. paper to online testing
  1. a. If the student already completed one domain online, the student must take the entire test on paper. Contact DRC Customer Service to remove the completed online record.

    b. If the student already completed two or more domains online, transfer the student to new school in WIDA AMS. The new school can run a Tier Placement Report to determine which booklet to provide the student in order to test the remaining domain(s) for that student.

  2. Transfer student to new school in WIDA AMS. A new booklet should be ordered to complete the remaining domains. Partial booklets should be returned to DRC from the school where the domain was completed. Apply District/School label.

  3. See the section in the WIDA AMS User Guide titled Student Export/Transfers/Validation for instructions and test the remaining domains in the new school.

  4. Student must retake the entire test online.

Student has not completed any testing (or is unknown) Test student on all domains as you would normally.
  • Student testing on paper: Apply District/School label and bubble in student information on paper booklet.

  • Student testing online: Add new student in the Student Management section in WIDA AMS. See the WIDA AMS User Guide for instructions.

Student has completed all testingStudent records remain at the site where student was tested.

Student Transferring in or out of District Within Massachusetts
Student completed some testing and is moving from:
(see corresponding number at right)
  1. online to paper testing
  2. paper to paper testing
  3. online to online testing
  4. paper to online testing
  1. a. If the student only completed one domain online, the student must take the entire test on paper. Contact DRC Customer Service to remove the completed online record.

    b. If the student completed two or more domains online, both districts should complete the student transfer form in WIDA AMS. The new school can run a Tier Placement Report to determine which booklet to provide the student and test the remaining domain(s) for that student. Apply District/School label to booklet.

  2. Both districts complete the student transfer form in WIDA AMS. A new booklet should be ordered to complete the remaining session(s). Both districts return their test booklets to DRC.

  3. Both districts complete the student transfer form in WIDA AMS. The new school can test the remaining domain(s).

  4. Student must retake the entire test online.

Student has completed no testing (or it is unknown)
  • If the student is coming into your district, test the student as you normally would.

  • If the student is transferring out of your district, do not enter a Do Not Score code in WIDA AMS as this will generate an inaccurate student record. If any booklets containing student information have been prepared but contain no student responses, apply a Do Not Process label and return to DRC by February 20, 2024. No further action is needed.

Student has completed all testingStudent records remain at the site where student was tested.

Student Transferring into District from Another State
Student has completed some testingThe student should be retested in Massachusetts. A new booklet should be ordered, or an online test administered.
Student has completed no testing (or it is unknown)Test the student as you normally would.
Student has completed all testingThe student should be retested in Massachusetts if they arrive on or before February 9, 2024. A new booklet should be ordered, or an online test administered.

Student Transferring out of District to Another State
Student has completed some testingSchools should submit partially completed tests to DRC.
No further action is needed.
Student has completed no testing, or it is unknownDo not enter a Do Not Score code in WIDA AMS, as this will generate an inaccurate student record. If any booklets containing student information have been prepared but contain no student responses, apply a Do Not Process label and return to DRC by February 20, 2024. No further action is needed.
Student has completed all testingReturn any paper materials to DRC by February 20, 2024. No further action is needed.

*Materials should not be transferred between sites.

Last Updated: September 12, 2023

 
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Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
135 Santilli Highway, Everett, MA 02149

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