Assessment
Assessment If your child is learning English, they will take a test each year called the WIDA ACCESS or WIDA ALTERNATE ACCESS assessment. This test helps teachers understand how your child is progressing in English and how to best support their learning. WIDA ACCESS is given online to all students who qualify for English Language Development (ELD) services. Washington State began using this assessment as its official annual English language proficiency test in the 2021–22 school year.
WIDA Alternate ACCESS, designed for English learners who have the most significant cognitive disabilities. This version is adapted to meet their needs while still assessing their growth in English language skills.
Purpose
The purpose of WIDA ACCESS is to measure how well students understand and use academic English—the kind of language used in school subjects like reading, writing, math, and science. The test evaluates four key areas of English language development: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The results help determine whether a student should continue receiving ELD services or if they are ready to exit the program. Families will be notified before testing begins, and results will be shared with parents and guardians once they are available.
WIDA ACCESS Exit Criteria
OSPI has established the following criteria for students exiting the English Language Development (ELD) program
| Grade Level | Minimum Overall Score |
|---|---|
| K-1 | 4.0 |
| 2-12 | 4.7 |
- Students in Kindergarten and Grade 1 who score at least a 4.0 will exit ELD services.
- Students in Grades 2-12 who score at least a 4.7 overall will exit ELD services.
- Students in Grades 2-12 who score between a 4.3 and 4.6 and earn a level 3 or 4 on the ELA portion of the SBA test can also exit ELD services.