ACCESS for ELLs

ACCESS for ELLs Assessment Update: Test Coordinator Training Webinar and ACCESS for ELLs 2013 Statewide Results Posted, and Preparing to Order Test Materials

Recorded Webinar Posted

Thank you to those who participated in the recent ACCESS for ELLs Test Coordinator Training. The Department has now posted a recording of the webinar "ACCESS Test Coordinator Training 2013" that was presented on October 11. It is available at the following locations on the WIDA website at www.wida.us/downloadLibrary.aspx.

• in the "Download Library," under "Newest," at the top left of the page; and
• in the "Download Library," under "Videos/Webinars," at the bottom right of the page. Click on "Massachusetts" to view the webinar.

To view the recorded webinar, you must log in using the user name and password you selected when you created your WIDA Personal Account. (See Instructions for Creating Personal Accounts to View Training Modules on the ACCESS for ELLs website.) Please share this information with others in your district who may be interested in viewing the webinar.

ACCESS for ELLs 2013 Statewide Results Posted

The state report, now available at www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/access/2013/results/state.pdf, summarizes the statewide results of more than 69,000 ELL students in Massachusetts who participated in the 2013 ACCESS for ELLs tests, and the overall progress they have made toward attaining English language proficiency.

Preparing to Order ACCESS for ELLs Test Materials

An email will be sent to principals from MetriTech, the test contractor, on Monday, October 28 to provide you with a password and instructions on how to complete and submit your school's order. Principals (or their designees) must order test materials for their schools between October 28 and November 15.

Tests must be ordered by grade span and test tier (A, B, or C) for each ELL student. Therefore, it will be important to determine beforehand the number of students to be tested in each. Instructions for assigning students to appropriate test tiers are provided in the recently-posted Department publication Principal's Pre-Administration Manual for ACCESS for ELLs: Tasks to be Completed in Fall 2013 and in the Requirements for the Participation of ELL Students in ACCESS for ELLs and MCAS (2013-2014 Update).

You may contact Paulette Watson in Student Assessment Services with any questions about ACCESS for ELLs testing at mcas@doe.mass.edu or by phone at 781-338-3625.

Thank you for your attention to this information.