General FAQs
D. Test Features
D1) What does ACCESS for ELLs® look like?
It includes:
- Student booklets with graphics
- Listening, reading and writing sections in a single, consumable booklet in which students directly respond rather than by using a separate answer sheet
- A reusable prop-up book for speaking; the test administrator records students' responses on a score sheet in the back of the student booklet
- Test administration manuals
- Coordinator manuals
- Five grade level clusters: Kindergarten, grades 1-2, grades 3-5, grades 6-8, and grades 9-12
- Three distinctive, yet overlapping, tiers per grade level cluster except kindergarten, which is a single form. There are 13 separate booklets in all.
D2) How is ACCESS different from previous English language proficiency assessments, such as IPT, LAS, MAC II, LPTS, and Woodcock-Muñoz?
The ACCESS for ELLs® is a criterion-referenced test anchored in and representative of the WIDA English language proficiency standards. The test targets academic language proficiency rather than general social English, which is the focus of most English language proficiency tests. In addition, items are grouped around themes rather than presented in isolation.
Unlike some of the other ELP instruments, the ACCESS for ELLs® is aligned both vertically and horizontally; a score on one tier means the same as that on the adjacent tier and a score for one grade level cluster means the same as any other grade level cluster. This feature is critical as these assessments must document ELLs' English growth from year to year and allow schools to accurately measure the progress and attainment of proficiency of their ELLs. The prior generation of assessments, in large part, was not designed to provide this continuity.
D3) Is ACCESS aligned to standards?
ACCESS for ELLs® is directly aligned to the WIDA English Language proficiency Standards for English language Learners in PreKindergarten through Grade 12 (2004 & 2007). From the standards, test specifications were produced which provided the blueprint for test construction.
D4) What accommodations can be made for students with special needs?
An Accommodations Committee, with representation across the WIDA member states, made suggestions in regards to the types of acceptable accommodations for ELLs with Individual Educational Plans (IEPs) taking our English language proficiency test. This information is published in the Administration Manual and is also available on the Accommodations for ACCESS for ELLs® page.
Background