Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System

Massachusetts ACCESS Transfer Policy*

Student Transferring to Another School within District

Student completed some testing and is moving from

  1. online to paper testing
  2. paper to paper testing
  3. online to online testing
  4. paper to online testing

(see corresponding number at right)

  1. a. If the student already completed one domain online, the student must take the entire test on paper. Transfer the student to the new school and contact DRC Customer Service to remove the completed online test.

    b. If the student already completed two or more domains online, transfer the student to new school in WIDA AMS. The new school will run a Tier Placement Report to determine which booklet to provide the student in order to test the remaining domain(s) for that student. Apply District/School label to the booklet and bubble in student information.

  2. Transfer student to new school in WIDA AMS. A new booklet should be ordered to complete the remaining domains at the new school. Partial booklets should be returned to DRC from the school where the domain was completed. Apply a District/School label to the booklet for the new school and bubble in student information.

  3. See the Knowledge Article in WIDA AMS titled How do I complete a school-to-school transfer? for instructions and test the remaining domains in the new school.

  4. Student must retake the entire test online. Apply a Do Not Process label to the booklet and place the student in test registrations at the new school.

Student has not completed any testing (or is unknown)

Test student on all domains as you would normally.

  • Student testing on paper: Apply District/School label and bubble in student information on paper booklet.
  • Student testing online: See the Knowledge Article in WIDA AMS titled How do I complete a school-to-school transfer?

Student has completed all testing

Student records remain at the site where student was tested.

Student Transferring in or out of District within Massachusetts

Student completed some testing and is moving from

  1. online to paper testing
  2. paper to paper testing
  3. online to online testing
  4. paper to online testing

(see corresponding number at right)

  1. a. If the student only completed one domain online, the student must take the entire test on paper. Complete the Student Transfer Form in WIDA AMS and contact DRC Customer Service to remove the completed online record.

    b. If the student completed two or more domains online, complete the Student Transfer Form in WIDA AMS. DRC will transfer the completed online record and the receiving district will run a Tier Placement Report to determine which booklet to provide the student and test the remaining domain(s) for that student. Apply District/School label to booklet and bubble in student information.

  2. Complete the Student Transfer Form in WIDA AMS. DRC will transfer the student record. The receiving district will order a new booklet to complete only the remaining test(s). Both districts return their test booklets to DRC.

  3. Either the sending or receiving district completes the Student Transfer Form in WIDA AMS. DRC will transfer the student record. The receiving district adds the student to registrations. See the Knowledge Article How do I complete the Student Transfer Form for WIDA ACCESS testing? How do I complete a district-to-district transfer? in WIDA AMS.

  4. Student must retake the entire test online.

Student has completed no testing (or it is unknown)

  • If the student is coming into your district, test the student as you normally would.

  • If the student is transferring out of your district, do not enter a Do Not Score code in WIDA AMS, as this will generate an inaccurate student record. If any booklets containing student information have been prepared but contain no student responses, apply a Do Not Process label and return to DRC. No further action is needed.

Student has completed all testing

Student records remain at the site where student was tested.

Student Transferring into District from Another State

Student has completed some testing

The student should be retested in Massachusetts.

Student has completed no testing (or it is unknown)

Test the student as you normally would.

Student has completed all testing

The student should be retested in Massachusetts if they arrive on or before February 20, 2026.

Student Transferring out of District to Another State

Student has completed some testing

No further action is needed. Do not enter Do Not Score codes for any tests in WIDA AMS. Return any paper materials to DRC by March 3, 2026.

Student has completed no testing, or it is unknown

Do not enter a Do Not Score code in WIDA AMS, as this will generate an inaccurate student record. If any booklets containing student information have been prepared but contain no student responses, apply a Do Not Process label and return to DRC by March 3, 2026. No further action is needed.

Student has completed all testing

Return any paper materials to DRC by March 3, 2026. No further action is needed.

*Materials should not be transferred between sites.

Last Updated: October 7, 2025

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