WIDA

Federal legislation requires that all students identified as English learners (ELs) participate annually in an English language proficiency assessment. In Virginia, all divisions use the WIDA ACCESS for ELLs to monitor students' progress in acquiring academic English. The WIDA ACCESS for ELLs is administered to all students in grades K-12 with an English language proficiency (ELP) level of 1-5 and 9. The WIDA ACCESS for ELLs is aligned with the WIDA English language development standards and assesses English in the four language domains of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The assessment will: 

• Determine students’ English language proficiency level and eligibility for English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) services and testing accommodations.  
• Help students and families understand students’ current level of English language proficiency along a developmental continuum.  
• Provide teachers with information they can use to plan for and support student learning.  
• Determine whether ELs have met English language proficiency criteria and will be designated former ELs.

All ELs, including those who have opted out of ESOL services, participate annually in the ELP assessment until they reach English language proficiency criteria (ELP level 6). Alternate assessment formats are available for certain students with disabilities.

If you have questions about the annual ELP assessment, please contact the school’s test coordinator for more information.