Federal and state laws require that English learner (EL) students be assessed annually to measure their proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking English, as well as the progress they are making in learning English. In fulfillment of these laws, EL students are required to participate in ACCESS for ELLs tests. ACCESS for ELLs tests are administered annually in January-February.
EL students are also required to participate in the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) tests for their grade.
Participation Requirements for EL Students, including EL students with disabilities, in MCAS
Participation Guidelines: Which Students Should Take the Alternate ACCESS for ELLs?
Mode Adjustments for ACCESS Testing 2016–2019
ELL Update: New Exit Criteria, Equivalent Proficiency Levels, and Recommended Amount of Language Instruction (2017)
EL Assessment Updates
Instructions for Creating WIDA and WIDA AMS Personal Accounts
Massachusetts State Page on the WIDA Website
Materials and Resources Available on the WIDA Website
WIDA English Language Development (ELD) Standards on which ACCESS for ELLs tests are based
About the WIDA Screeners
Alternate ACCESS for ELLs Field Test Information
Alternate ACCESS Annual Technical Report 2020-2021 (log-in required)
Paper ACCESS Annual Technical Report 2020-2021 (log-in required)
Online ACCESS Annual Technical Report 2020-2021 (log-in required)
About the ACCESS for ELLs Tests (ACCESS Online, ACCESS Paper, Kindergarten ACCESS, Alternate ACCESS)
WIDA Screener for Kindergarten — Cut Scores for English Proficiency
Principal’s Pre-Administration Manual for ACCESS for ELLs: Tasks to be Completed in 2022-2023
Massachusetts State-Specific Directions ACCESS for ELLs Administration 2022-2023
WIDA Accessibility and Accommodations Manual 2022-2023
WIDA AMS Supplement — Submit Incomplete Domain
Instructions for Student Transfers During Testing
Guidance to Students Prior to Taking the Online Speaking Test
ACCESS for ELLs Interpretive Guide for Score Reports and How to Use Them 2022
Alternate ACCESS for ELLs Interpretive Guide for Score Reports and How to Use Them 2022
Guide to Assigning Scores for Missing Domains on ACCESS for ELLs Tests (for English Learners with Disabilities)
Guide to Understanding the Title III Reporting Elements for English Learners in Massachusetts for 2017 and Beyond
Service Now Form: Tier Override Request
Service Now Form: Test Regeneration Request
Service Now Form: Request Permission to Test a Student in an Alternate Setting (ACCESS for ELLs)
Service Now Form: ACCESS for ELLs Irregularity Reporting
Service Now Form: Test Discrepancies — Request a Scoring Appeal or Test Booklet Search
Last Updated: December 31, 2022
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 75 Pleasant Street, Malden, MA 02148-4906
Voice: (781) 338-3000 TTY: (800) 439-2370
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