Alternate ACCESS for ELLs®
The WIDA Consortium is currently developing the Alternate ACCESS for ELLs® that will result in an efficient alternate assessment system. It will facilitate the inclusion of English language learners (ELLs) with significant disabilities in statewide educational accountability systems resulting in valid, reliable, and useful information regarding their English language proficiency (ELP) progress.
The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 require all students to participate in state-wide assessment systems. Although the ACCESS for ELLs® ELP measure is currently being used within the WIDA Consortium states, there are a small percentage of ELL students who are not able to meaningfully participate in this assessment because of a significant disability (e.g., cognitive disabilities, autism).
The development of the Alternate ACCESS for ELLs® has been ongoing for approximately the past two years and will be available to Consortium states during the 2008-09 academic year. The WIDA ELP Standards have been extended downward to include three additional ELP levels (Initiating, Exploring, and Engaging) to more appropriately describe the ELP levels of students with significant disabilities.
Request for participants in field testing
During the 2007-08 academic year, WIDA will be field testing the Alternate ACCESS for ELLs®. Consequently, WIDA is currently recruiting educators to participate in the field test, with the goal to include educators and students from each WIDA Consortium state. The successful completion of the Alternate ACCESS for ELLs® field test depends on obtaining an adequate sample of students. Eligible students for the Alternate ACCESS for ELLs® need to be (a) classified as an ELL student, and (b) diagnosed with a significant disability; if the student’s Individualized Education Plan team has determined that the student should participate in the state’s alternate assessment, this would be an indicator that the student is eligible for the Alternate ACCESS for ELLs®. If you are able to facilitate the participation of these students in the Alternate ACCESS for ELLs® field test, please contact Dr. Craig Albers (caalbers@wisc.edu).
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