General FAQs
Use of Tiers
18) Why is ACCESS for ELLs® a tiered test?
The goal of the ACCESS for ELLs® test is to determine English language learners' level of English language proficiency and, at the same time, provide useful feedback to stakeholders. However, there are far too many model performance indicators in the English language proficiency standards to fit into a reasonable testing session. For any particular student, some of the questions on a comprehensive test might be dismissively easy, making it boring, while others would be exactingly hard, making it frustrating. In order to produce a valid test, it is important to avoid both possibilities by selecting an appropriate tier for each student.
19) What are the ACCESS for ELLs® tiers?
ACCESS for ELLs® has three tiers--A, B and C--for each grade level cluster, with the exception of kindergarten. Tier A contains items for English language proficiency levels 1-3, but targets the lowest levels, 1 and 2. Tier B covers English language proficiency levels 2-4, focusing especially on 3 and low 4, and Tier C has items from English language proficiency level 3 to beyond 5, particularly focusing on the uppermost English language proficiency levels. (See the chart below.)
20) How does one determine tier placement?
A brief screening exam known as the WIDA ACCESS Placement Test (W-APT)™ should be used to designate ELL status and to assist teachers in assigning new students their appropriate tier for ordering test materials. The test relies on the Criteria for Tier Placement for ACCESS for ELLs®, also explained in the Tier Placement Document 
. The W-APT™ can be used at any time throughout the year as students enter a new school or district. Please login to download the W-APT™. Returning students may be assigned to a tier according to their ACCESS scores from the previous year.
21) How can we avoid placing students in the wrong tier?
This situation can be avoided by using multiple measures, including teacher input and the W-APT™ screener, when determining tier placement and by following the Criteria for Tier Placement for ACCESS for ELLs®. It is conceivable that a student may still be placed in the wrong tier. If discovered prior to test administration, the more appropriate booklet should be used (MetriTech provides extra booklets to all districts). The most common mistake is underestimating a student's capabilities and placing him or her in Tier A rather than B or C. When this happens, the student can "top out" on the test, by getting most or all items correct, making it difficult to determine the student's true English language proficiency level. When in doubt, because a student seems to be on the border of Tier A and B or Tier B and C, place the student up; that is, choose the higher tier.
Background