ACCESS for ELLs

ELL Assessment Update: Materials Ordering

To:	Principals, District ELL Program Directors, ACCESS for ELLs Test Coordinators, and ACCESS for ELLs Technology Coordinators
From:	Dan Wiener, Administrator of Inclusive Assessment Alexis Glick, ELL Assessment Coordinator Bridgette Kelly, Educational Specialist
Date:	October 13, 2016

Greetings! We are providing you with information on the upcoming ordering of ACCESS for ELLs test materials for your school, as well as other important updates.

Updated ELL Assessment Publications Now Available

The Principal's Pre-Administration Manual: ACCESS for ELLs Tasks to be Completed in Fall 2016

is now available which provides an overview of tasks to be completed by schools and districts before, during, and after ACCESS testing occurs this January February.

Preparing to Order ACCESS for ELLs Test Materials

During the week of October 17, Data Recognition Corporation (DRC), the ACCESS for ELLs testing contractor, will send an email to each school and district ACCESS test coordinator to remind them of the upcoming materials ordering window. ACCESS test coordinators must order test materials for their school between October 24 and November 10, using the WIDA Assessment Management System (AMS). ACCESS test coordinators with accounts for the 2015 2016 administration will be receiving their login and password information for the WIDA AMS by email this week. ACCESS test coordinators who have receive login and password information can and should create accounts for other individuals who will assist or replace them in that role. Others, including new district test coordinators, may email ACCESS@doe.mass.edu to get their accounts set up and must complete the Test Materials Ordering training module prior to ordering test materials. The WIDA AMS User Guide provides information on creating AMS accounts.

Ordering Paper-based Test Materials

While the online (computer-based) test does not include test tiers, paper tests must be ordered by grade cluster and test tier (A, B, or C) for each ELL student using the WIDA AMS. Therefore, it will be important to determine beforehand the number of students to be tested in each grade cluster and tier. Instructions for assigning students to appropriate test tiers are provided in the Principal's Pre-Administration Manual for ACCESS for ELLs: Tasks to be Completed in Fall 2016

. The W-APT screener may also be used to determine the test tier, particularly for students who have recently entered the school.

Ordering Writing Test Materials

For those administering the online test, DRC will automatically send paper-based Writing test booklets in a variety of tiers for all students in grades 1–3. Although keyboarding will be the default Writing test format for students in grades 4–12 in Massachusetts, students in those grades should be given the option to hand-write their responses. Schools giving the computer-based tests must decide before the start of testing which students will hand-write their responses. Those students must be placed in a handwriting session in WIDA AMS and the test coordinator must place an additional materials order for handwriting booklets. If you have selected to deliver the test online, materials should only be ordered for the format that has been selected. Do not order paper tests as well, except in cases of students requiring a paper-based test accommodation. For students who cannot take all four test domains online, such as those who are unable to use a computer, plan to have those students take all four domains on paper and order materials accordingly.

Save the Dates! Training for ACCESS for ELLs Technology Coordinators for schools and districts administering the computer-based ACCESS tests

Date	Training	Topic
Thursday, October 20, 2016 2:00 – 3:30 pm Join WebEx meeting	Online (computer-based) ACCESS for ELLs technology overview for School and District Technology Coordinators (Webinars)	Technology Installations
Thursday, November 3, 2016 2:00 – 3:00 pm Join WebEx meeting		Checklist for Software Updates and Technology Readiness
Thursday, November 10, 2016 2:00 – 3:00 pm Join WebEx meeting		Technology Coordinator Support for Test Administration

Information regarding the ACCESS for ELLs technology specifications and requirements will be available in late October on the WIDA website.

WIDA Training Modules

WIDA training modules are now available for Test Coordinators and Test Administrators who can access the training modules and checklists through their WIDA personal accounts. Technology Coordinators can access the training materials and checklists through the WIDA Assessment Management System. Information regarding training requirements for these roles is provided in the Principal's Pre-Administration Manual for ACCESS for ELLs: Tasks to be Completed in Fall 2016

Recorded WIDA Webinars and Department Training Materials

WIDA has an extensive calendar of webinars and Q&A sessions available for Test Coordinators, Test Administrators, and Technology Coordinators. Additionally, the PowerPoint from the Department's recent face-to-face Test Coordinator training sessions can be found on the Massachusetts state page on the WIDA website, under the Professional Development tab.

Updating your school's contact information

Test Coordinators will be prompted to update their school's contact information when ordering materials through the WIDA AMS. Please remember to ensure that updated contact information is also reflected in the Department's School and District Profiles, through your District Directory Administrator. Please contact Student Assessment Services with any questions about ACCESS for ELLs testing at ACCESS@doe.mass.edu or by phone at 781-338-3625. Thank you for your attention to this important information.

Last Updated: November 3, 2016