WIDA ACCESS
WIDA ACCESS is administered annually to all English learners in Georgia. WIDA ACCESS is a standards-based, criterion-referenced English language proficiency test designed to measure English learners’ social and academic proficiency in English. It assesses social and instructional English as well as the language associated with language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies within the school context across the four language domains. WIDA ACCESS meets the federal requirements that mandate states evaluate EL students in grades K through 12 on their progress in learning to speak English.
WIDA ACCESS is used to determine the English language proficiency levels and progress of ELs in the domains of speaking, listening, reading, and writing. WIDA ACCESS serves five main purposes. These include:
determining the English language proficiency level of students;
providing districts with information that will help them evaluate the effectiveness of their ESOL programs;
providing information that enhances instruction and learning in programs for English language learners;
assessing annual English language proficiency gains using a standards-based assessment instrument;
providing data for meeting federal and state requirements with respect to student assessment.
WIDA Alternate ACCESS
WIDA Alternate ACCESS is an individually administered test for EL students in grades K - 12 with significant cognitive disabilities. It is intended for EL students with significant cognitive disabilities that are severe enough to prevent meaningful participation in the WIDA ACCESS assessment. Decisions regarding a student's participation must be made by an IEP team.
Note: EL students shall not be administered both the WIDA Alternate ACCESS and WIDA ACCESS assessments.
Alternate ACCESS Participation Criteria:
1. IEP documentation must provide clear evidence that the student's daily instruction is based on alternate content standards.
2. The student must be an English learner and a student with the most significant cognitive disabilities. Students with the most significant cognitive disabilities or intellectual disabilities concurrent with motor, sensory, or emotional/behavioral disabilities require substantial adaptations and supports to access the general curriculum and require additional instruction focused on relevant life skills.
3. The student is unable to access the content of Kindergarten ACCESS or WIDA ACCESS, even with the provision of all necessary universal tools, allowable accommodations, and administrative considerations.
4. Students with the most significant cognitive disabilities in grades 3-12 and instructed on alternate content standards are eligible for the Georgia Alternate Assessment (GAA 2.0).