All students identified as multilingual learners (MLs) are assessed annually to monitor their progress and proficiency in English as required by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). In Virginia, all divisions use the WIDA ACCESS for ELLs for this purpose.

The WIDA ACCESS for ELLs is aligned with the WIDA English language development standards and assesses English in the four language domains of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The assessment will: 

• Determine students’ English language proficiency level and eligibility for English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) services and testing accommodations.  
• Help students and families understand students’ current level of English language proficiency along a developmental continuum.  
• Provide teachers with information they can use to plan for and support student learning.  
• Determine whether MLs have met English language proficiency criteria and exit ESOL services.

All MLs, including those who have opted out of ESOL services, participate annually in the ELP assessment until they reach English language proficiency criteria (ELP level 6). Alternate assessment formats are available for certain students with disabilities.

At Madison HS, we will administer the WIDA assessment in late February 2025. The WIDA assessment takes a minimum of three test sessions to complete the four domains. Most students will begin testing on February 25^th and 26^th. Students will be sent their specific test schedule in mid-February. 

If you have any questions about the WIDA assessment or if a student has a conflict with any of their test dates they should reach out to our assessment coach, Jennifer Frate at @email or your child’s counselor.