One of the most important parts of supporting multilingual learners is understanding how they grow in English over time. WIDA ACCESS is the system schools use to measure that growth in listening, reading, speaking, and writing each year.
It’s more than a single test — it’s a suite of assessments designed to meet the needs of different students, including those with disabilities and those just starting school.
What WIDA ACCESS Measures
Each year, students from kindergarten through grade 12 take ACCESS to show their progress in academic English. The results help teachers and schools understand:
- How well students can use English in classroom settings
- Whether students are ready to move on from ENL services
- How instruction can be adjusted to better support language growth
ACCESS is aligned with WIDA’s English Language Development Standards Framework, so it connects directly to the language students need to succeed in academic subjects.
The Four Versions of ACCESS
WIDA ACCESS is not one-size-fits-all. It includes several versions designed for different grade levels and needs:
1. ACCESS for Kindergarten
A fun, hands-on assessment that lets young learners show what they can do in English through interactive activities.
- Paper-based and individually administered
- Designed to match how children learn in real classrooms
- Includes special formats for students with disabilities
2. ACCESS Online (Grades 1–12)
A computer-based assessment that adapts to each student’s performance level.
- Questions get easier or harder depending on student responses
- Can be given to groups or individuals
- Includes built-in supports for students who need accommodations
3. ACCESS Paper (Grades 1–12)
A paper version for students who cannot test online or have accommodations in their IEP or 504 Plan.
- Available in large print and braille formats
- Uses a tiered structure so students stop when they reach their “performance ceiling”
- Useful for schools needing paper-based testing options
4. Alternate ACCESS (Grades K–12)
For students with significant cognitive disabilities who are also English learners.
- Paper-based and individually administered
- Flexible testing approach that adapts to each student’s abilities
- Allows multiple chances to show what students can do
How ACCESS Results Help Teachers
ACCESS results provide valuable information beyond just scores. They help teachers:
- Plan instruction based on current language levels
- Track yearly progress toward English proficiency
- Decide when students are ready to exit ENL programs
- Group students for targeted language instruction
- Reflect on which instructional strategies are working best
The results also meet federal reporting requirements under ESSA and help ensure that schools remain accountable for supporting English learners.
Partnering With Families
WIDA provides family-friendly handouts in 16 languages
to help parents understand what ACCESS is and what their child’s scores mean.
Before and after testing, teachers can share simple guides like:
- “What Is ACCESS?”
- “Understanding Your Child’s Scores”
- “What Is WIDA Alternate ACCESS?”
These materials help families become active partners in supporting their child’s language learning journey.
Final Thoughts
WIDA ACCESS helps teachers see the full picture of a student’s English development — not just what they know, but how they use language to learn in school. It’s a key part of creating classrooms where multilingual learners can thrive in every subject area.
Source:
WIDA. (n.d.). WIDA ACCESS: A Suite of Secure, Large-Scale English Language
Proficiency Assessments. Retrieved from https://wida.wisc.edu