ACCESS for ELLs
(Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State-to-State for English Language Learners)

Background and Student Participation

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 for WIDA Alternate ACCESS 2024-2025

ACCESS for ELLs Tests and WIDA Screeners — General Resources

• 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

• Choosing an Assessment (ACCESS for ELLs Online, Paper, Kindergarten, Alternate)

• About the WIDA Screeners

• WIDA Screener for Kindergarten — Cut Scores for English Proficiency

• Alternate ACCESS Annual Technical Report 2023-2024

• Paper ACCESS Annual Technical Report 2023-2024

• Online ACCESS Annual Technical Report 2023-2024

ACCESS for ELLs Tests — Test Administration and Reporting Resources

• Massachusetts ACCESS for ELLs Administration Manual 2024-2025

• WIDA Accessibility and Accommodations Manual 2024-2025

• 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 2025

• WIDA Alternate ACCESS Interpretive Guide for Score Reports 2025

• DESE ACCESS Score Imputations

• Guide to Understanding the Title III Reporting Elements for English Learners in Massachusetts for 2017 and Beyond

ACCESS for ELLs Service Now Forms

• 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: July 10, 2025