ACCESS Administration 2020-2021
Recently members of the Assessment Team had the opportunity to meet with the English Learner Advisory Council to address questions and concerns related to the administration of the assessments this year. Maine Department of Education continues to support districts in the assessment administration and monitor the rapidly evolving circumstances this school year. Please check back for updates as new information becomes available. ELAC Question & Answer Document.
ACCESS for ELLs
Maine administers the annual English language proficiency assessment, ACCESS for ELLs (Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State-to-State for English Language Learners) in grades K-12 to students who have been identified as English learners. This assessment is administered in a computer-based format for grades 1-12, in paper-based format for kindergarten, and is also available in paper-based format as an accommodation, as identified on an Individualized Education Plan.
ACCESS for ELLs assesses each of the four language domains of listening, speaking, reading and writing. It also measures language proficiency within different content areas, including reading, math, and science. Educators use ACCESS results and reporting, in addition to other WIDA resources, to make decisions about students' English academic language, measure progress over time, and to facilitate their ongoing language development. Some additional examples of how ACCESS for ELLs data can be used include:
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For accountability purposes
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As benchmarks against which educators can measure future performance
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As a measure to make decisions about the level of English language support that is needed, or whether a student can exit English language support services
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To support instructional planning
Alternate ACCESS for ELLs
The Alternate ACCESS for ELLs (Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State-to-State for English Language Learners) is Maine’s assessment of English language proficiency (ELP) for students in grades 1-12 who are identified as English learners and have the most significant cognitive disabilities
All students identified as English learners must be assessed annually for ELP, including students who receive special education services. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act also mandates that students with disabilities participate in statewide and district-wide assessment programs, including alternate assessments with appropriate accommodations, when it is documented in their Individualized Education Programs. For this reason, Maine uses the Alternate ACCESS for ELLs to meet federal accountability requirements and to provide educators with a measure sensitive to ELP growth of English learners with the most significant cognitive disabilities. Some additional examples of how the Alternate ACCESS for ELLs data can be used include:
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As benchmarks against which educators can measure future performance
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As a measure to make decisions about the level of English language support that is needed, or whether a student can exit English language support services
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To support instructional planning
2020-2021 WIDA ACCESS and Alternate ACCESS for ELLs Dates
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10/12/20-11/11/20 |
Materials ordering available in AMS (LEAs) |
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11/25/20-4/16/21 |
WIDA AMS setup available for test sessions |
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12/16/20 |
Districts receive test materials |
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12/16/20-2/25/21 |
Additional test materials ordering window in AMS |
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1/11/21-3/5/21 |
Test Window |
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4/30/21 |
Deadline for shipping completed test materials to DRC |
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6/18/21 |
Districts receive reports – Online |
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7/12/21 |
Districts receive reports – Printed |
Resources for Educators
ACCESS & Alternate ACCESS Assessment Resources
WIDA State- Specific Information for Maine
2020-2021 Accessibility & Accommodations Supplement
Alternate ACCESS for ELLs Preparation & Training
WIDA Participation Guidelines for Alternate ACCESS for ELLs (PDF)
Professional Learning & Instructional Resources
Maine DOE ESOL/Bilingual Programs Professional Learning Opportunities