Massachusetts is a member of the World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment WIDA Consortium and utilizes a variety of World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment WIDA resources to help meet the instruction and assessment needs of English learners (ELs) across the Commonwealth.
English Learner EL students are also required to participate in the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) tests for their grade.
Participation Requirements for English Learner EL Students, including English Learner EL students with disabilities, in Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System MCAS
Instructions for Creating World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment WIDA Secure Portal and World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment WIDA Assessment Management System (AMS) Accounts
Background: All Massachusetts schools are required to have written procedures, in accordance with the Department of Secondary and Elementary Education (DESE) guidelines, to identify students who may be English learners (ELs) and assess their level of English language proficiency upon enrollment in the district.
Assessments: Massachusetts utilizes the following World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment WIDA Screener tests for the purpose of English Learner EL identification.
Test administration procedures, test administrator required training, test materials are found on the World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment WIDA Screener Assessments web page.
English Learner Education - Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education — English Learner EL identification, English Learner EL programming, and English as a Second Language ESL instructional support
World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment WIDA Alternate Screener — Guidance and Cut Scores for English Proficiency
Background: Federal and state laws require that all students who are English Learners ELs be assessed annually to measure both proficiency and progress in English language development. Massachusetts administers the World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment WIDA Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State-to-State ACCESS suite of assessments in fulfillment of these requirements. World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment WIDA Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State-to-State ACCESS results are used at the state, district, school and student levels to help inform accountability, programmatic decision-making, allocation of resources, service delivery, and much more.
Assessments: Massachusetts utilizes the following World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment WIDA Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State-to-State ACCESS tests as annual summative assessments of English language proficiency.
Massachusetts state page on the World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment WIDA website — important statewide World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment WIDA Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State-to-State ACCESS administrative dates, identification and placement guidance, World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment WIDA Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State-to-State ACCESS testing checklists, and the Massachusetts World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment WIDA Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State-to-State ACCESS Administration Manual
Guide to Understanding the Title III Reporting Elements for English Learners in Massachusetts for 2026 and Beyond
World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment WIDA English Language Development Standards Framework (2020) — standards which inform instruction and World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment WIDA Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State-to-State ACCESS test design for English Learners ELs
Assessment Training — required courses for all World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment WIDA Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State-to-State ACCESS test administrators (World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment WIDA Secure Portal login required)
Accessibility and Accommodations Manual — available tools for all English Learners ELs and accommodations for English Learners ELs with disabilities on the World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment WIDA Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State-to-State ACCESS tests
Last Updated: August 20, 2026