ACCESS for English Language Learners

boy uses headset in class. Each school year, DPS assesses students’ English language ability using ACCESS for English Language Learners (ELLs). All students in grades K-12 who have been identified as English learners are required to take ACCESS as it meets the federal requirements for monitoring English learners and is aligned to the state of Colorado’s rigorous academic standards.

ACCESS is intended to assess social and academic English language development in the areas of listening, reading, writing and speaking. Assessment scores will determine when an English learner is ready to be placed in mainstream English classes.

If your child is in kindergarten, he/she will take the test using paper and pencil. Grades 1-3 will take the writing portion of the test on paper and pencil as well. If your child is in grades 1-12, the assessment will be administered online.

Students in grades 1-12 who are classified as English language learners and have significant cognitive disabilities will participate in the Alternate ACCESS for ELLs. For more information, visit wida.wisc.edu/assess/alt-access.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of ACCESS?

Who takes ACCESS?

All students in grades K-12 who have been identified as English learners are required to take ACCESS as it meets the federal requirements for monitoring English learners and is aligned to the state of Colorado’s rigorous academic standards.

Why is the testing window so long?

ACCESS is administered in January and February. Your child will only test on certain days based on grade and subject. Check with your child’s school for your specific testing schedule.

How will students be tested?

ACCESS for ELLs uses multiple choice questions and constructed response questions to assess the four domains of Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. Kindergarten and Alternate eligible students are assessed in a 1:1 setting using an interactive paper based assessment with a trained administrator. 1-12 students are assessed using a paper based or online test form in a group setting.

What supports are schools providing to ensure technology readiness?

All of the EdTech resources and curricular engagement for teachers, as well as practice tests:

ACCESS for ELLs – Online, Speaking & Writing Preparation

How can I prepare my child for ACCESS?

Speaking online is not a natural skill for our K-12 students, and keyboarding is a new skill for our younger learners. Our English Learners will need plenty of opportunities to respond to online speaking and writing tasks before taking ACCESS for ELLs in order for them to be able to show their full speaking and writing abilities.

After the test, when do families get the scores, and how can they be leveraged in looking at exiting students from services?

Score reports are sent home with students in May, allowing time for conversations with teachers and school leaders before the end of the school year; parents are encouraged to connect with ELA for questions around exiting services.

How do I read my child’s scores?

Every student who participates in ACCESS administration will receive an Individual Student Report (ISR).

Other resources for reading score reports:

The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) hosts district and school level reports: ACCESS Summary Data.
Score Guides: Interpretive Guide: ACCESS & Interpretive Guide: ACCESS (Alternative)
WIDA Family Engagement Web Page

Administration Window 2022-23

January 9 – February 10, 2023

ACCESS is administered in January and February. Your child will only test on certain days based on grade and subject. Check with your child’s school for your specific testing schedule.

Results

The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) hosts district and school level reports:

ACCESS Summary Data

Score Guides
Interpretive Guide: ACCESS
Interpretive Guide: ACCESS (Alternative)