Federal legislation requires that all students identified as English learners (ELs) participate annually in an English language proficiency assessment. In Virginia, all divisions use the WIDA ACCESS for ELLs to monitor students' progress in acquiring academic English. 

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 ELs have met English language proficiency criteria and will be designated former ELs.

All ELs, 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 during the month of February 2024. The WIDA assessment takes a minimum of three test sessions to complete the four domains. Most students will begin testing on February 6^th and 7^th. Students will be sent their specific test schedule in late January. 

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 their counselor.