ACCESS 2.0 FAQ

 

What is ACCESS 2.0?

ACCESS 2.0 is the next generation English Language Proficiency assessment system. The test will assess the proficiency of English for your child. 

 

Who takes ACCESS 2.0?

ALL identified ELL students will take the ACCESS 2.0 test or the Alternate ACCESS 2.0 (depending on their IEP and/or 504 Plan).

 

How is the test set up?

Grades 1-12 will take an on-line test. But some students depending on their special needs can take a paper assessment as deemed fit.

Kindergarten students will take the ACCESS test in person via paper and pencil. 

 

The on-line test for ELLs is divided into the following clusters:

•   Grade 1
•   Grades 2-3 (grade 3 only completes writing on paper)
•   Grades 4-5 
•   Grades 6-8
•   Grades 9-12

 

The paper test for ELLs is divided into the following clusters:

•   Kindergarten
•   Grade 1
•   Grade 2
•   Grade 3
•   Grades 4-5
•   Grades 6-8
•   Grades 9-12

 

What does the on-line test look like?

The on-line test contains similar item types to the original paper-based test, with new features made possible through the use of the on-line lest environment. 

 

Are the on-line assessment items the same as the paper items?

While there is some overlap between the on-line and paper assessment items, the on-line assessment utilizes new features and content made possible through the use of the on-line test environment.

 

Does ACCESS for ELLs 2.0 include tiers?

The on-line test is an adaptive test, meaning that students progress through the test based on their performance on previous folders and the test engine determines the appropriate items the student sees next. 

 

When will ACCESS 2.0 be administered to my child?

The goal at Elementary #2 is to test all students before Spring Break!

 

My child just enrolled at Elementary #2 and the ESL Program, will my child still have to take the ACCESS test?

Depends!. If your child enrolls in school before March 31 and was not tested in their previous school district, then YES your child will need to take the ACCESS test. If your child enrolls in school after March 31 or already took the ACCESS test in their previous school/district, then NO your child is not required to take the ACCESS test. 

 

Can I (as the parent) decline the ACCESS State Testing?

As a parent you have the right to decline state testing in writing. A letter must be given to the ESL teacher via the front office and must be signed by the parent stating that you are refusing ACCESS State Testing. Please know that the purpose of the ACCESS State Test is determine your child's English Language Proficiency. The information that is obtained from testing will provide valuable key points to your child's teacher and will help the teacher develop a learning plan that supports your child's learning. 

 

WIDA's Information on ACCESS

ACCESS for ELLs (Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State-to-State for English Language Learners) is a secure large-scale English language proficiency assessment given to Kindergarten through 12th graders who have been identified as English Language Learners /Multilingual Learners(ELLs/MLLs).

 

ACCESS for ELLs test items are written from the model performance indicators of WIDA's five English Language Development (ELD) standards:

  

 Social & Instructional Language

 Language of Language Arts, Mathematics, Science & Social Studies

 

Within each grade level cluster (except Kindergarten), ACCESS for ELLs consists of three forms: Tier A (beginning), Tier B (intermediate)/Tier C (advanced). This keeps the test shorter and more appropriately targets each students' range of language skills. 

  

Each form of the test assesses the four language domains of:

       Listening &  Speaking &  Reading  &  Writing

 

ACCESS Composite Scores

These composite scores are: 

Oral Language (50% Listening + 50% Speaking)

Literacy (50% Reading + 50% Writing)

Comprehension (30% Listening + 70% Reading)

Overall (35% Reading+ 35% Writing + 15% Listening + 15% Speaking).

 

ACCESS for ELLs Score Purpose

Monitor student progress on an annual basis, Establish when ELLs have attained English language proficiency according to state criteria, Inform classroom instruction and assessment and aid in programmatic decision making.

 

ACCESS Testing

ACCESS Testing will ALWAYS take place after January 1 of the school year. Reports of the scores will be sent to the district over the summer time. Either the ESL Teacher or the District Office will send a copy of the Individual Score Report to the parent and/or guardian on file in August or September of the school year.