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ACCESS for ELLs

Florida uses the ACCESS for ELLs suite of assessments as a tool to measure English Language Learners (ELLs) proficiency in the English language; thus, ensuring the skills needed in school to achieve at high levels, academically. The ACCESS for ELLs suite is a product of a collaborative effort by the multistate WIDA Consortium that is designed to provide:

  • Evidence of program accountability in accordance with Title I and III of the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 (formerly the No Child Left Behind Act), which calls for schools and districts to meet state accountability objectives for increasing the English-language proficiency of English Language Learners.
  • Data useful for charting student progress over time and, for the newly arrived students, charting progress over the first year.
  • Information about the language proficiency levels of individual students that can be used in making decisions regarding exit from the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program.
  • Diagnostically useful information about students’ strengths and weaknesses in English (with as much specificity as possible within the limitations of a large-scale standardized test).

The ACCESS for ELLs suite of assessments includes:

  • ACCESS for ELLs, a paper-based assessment for Grades 1–12
    • Students are administered the Speaking section of the test one-on-one with a teacher; the Listening, Reading, and Writing sections may be administered in a group setting.
  • Kindergarten ACCESS for ELLs, a paper-based assessment for Kindergarten
    • Students are administered all sections of the test, one-on-one with a teacher.
  • Alternate ACCESS, a paper-based assessment for students in Grades K–12 who have significant cognitive disabilities
    • Students are administered all sections of the test, one-on-one with a teacher.

Each test is based on the WIDA English Language Development (ELD) Standards that form the core of WIDA’s approach to instructing and assessing ELLs in Grades K–12. For more information about Florida standards, course descriptions and standards resources, please visit the CPALMS website.

State Laws and Federal Guidance

  • Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
  • IDEA
  • Rule 6A-6.0902, Florida Administration Code (F.A.C.), Requirements for Identification, Eligibility and Programmatic Assessments of English Language Learners
  • Rule 6A-6.09021, F.A.C., Annual English Language Proficiency Assessment for English Language Learners (ELLs)
  • Rule 6A-1.0943, F.A.C., Statewide Assessment for Students with Disabilities
  • Rule 6A-1.09432, F.A.C., Assessment of English Language Learners
  • Rule 6A-6.0903, F.A.C., Requirements for Exiting English Language Learners from the English for Speakers of Other Languages Program

State and District Contacts

Key Dates for Spring 2025

11/11/24
FDOE Loads Pre-ID File (Survey 2) into WIDA AMS
12/20/24 – 03/21/25
WIDA AMS - Editing student demographic information
01/07/25
Districts receive initial test materials and Pre-ID Labels from Survey 2
01/07/25 – 03/07/25
Additional test materials ordering window in WIDA AMS
01/10/25
Districts Loads 2nd Pre-ID File via FDOE ShareFile
01/14/25
FDOE Loads 2nd Pre-ID files into WIDA AMS
01/20/25 – 03/14/25
Test Window
02/13/25
Districts receive Pre-ID Labels from second Pre-ID upload
03/21/25
Deadline for shipping completed test materials to DRC

Schedules for current and future administrations of ACCESS for ELLs can be found at the Assessment Schedules page.

Assessment Resources

Spring 2024 Resources

Parent Information

Score Report Resources

To request an alternative format of the ACCESS for ELLs Individual Student Report, please contact assessment@fldoe.org.

Testing and Training Requirements

Testing Requirements

  • All students enrolled in the district (Grades K-12) and classified ELL, with a code of "LY" on the 1st day of the test administration window, must take one of the following English language proficiency assessments in Spring 2025:
    • Kindergarten ACCESS for ELLs
    • ACCESS for ELLs Paper
    • Alternate ACCESS

Training Requirements

  • Test Administrators must take the training module quizzes and receive a passing score to administer the assessments. Log in to the WIDA Secure Portal to access training courses and quizzes.
    • Test Administrators with training certificates prior to September 2023 must recertify to administer during the Spring 2025 administration. It is recommended to contact your district or school assessment coordinator to determine whether recertification is required.
  • For the 2024-25 school year, Florida's ELLs will continue to take ACCESS for ELLs Paper. WIDA provides all training materials through web-based modules and online resources. As directed in Florida's ACCESS for ELLs Checklist, it is important to review the paper pencil related training modules in the WIDA Secure Portal.

Historical Scores & Reports

For additional information regarding Florida’s administration of the ACCESS for ELLs suite, please visit Florida's WIDA page.

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