English Language Proficiency Annual Assessments

Contact Information

ELP Assessments

Sharon Coward

English Language Proficiency Assessment Coordinator
564-669-4777

Washington utilizes the WIDA ACCESS assessments as the English language proficiency (ELP) annual assessments to determine continued eligibility for English Language Development (ELD) services for Multilingual (ML) students. Measuring proficiency across the four domains of language, the ELP annual assessment test administration window opens in January and closes in March. There are five types of WIDA ACCESS assessments: 

  • WIDA ACCESS Online: The WIDA ACCESS Online is given to MLs in grades 1-12 who receive ELD services. 
  • WIDA ACCESS for Kindergarten: The WIDA ACCESS for Kindergarten is given to MLs in kindergarten who receive ELD services. 
  • WIDA ACCESS Paper: The WIDA ACCESS Paper is grades 1-12 paper-based assessment for MLs who require a paper accommodation based on an IEP or 504.
  • WIDA ACCESS Braille and Large Print: The WIDA ACCESS Braille and Large Print is available in grades 1-12 for students who are blind and visually impaired. 
  • WIDA Alternate ACCESS: The WIDA Alternate ACCESS is given to MLs in grades 1-12 with the most significant cognitive disabilities who receive ELD services. Eligibility is determined by a student’s IEP or 504 team. 

The ELP assessment test administration window typically opens in January and closes in March. Throughout the year, users have a variety of tasks to complete before test administration begins, during test administration, and after test administration closes. 

Timeline of ELP Assessment Dates for 2025-26

Before Test Administration:

  • Finalize Pre-Identification for WIDA Alternate ACCESS and WIDA ACCESS Paper in WAMS: December 4, 2026. 
  • Student Management Opens in WIDA AMS: December 31, 2026 - March 19, 2027
  • Districts Receive Initial Materials Order from DRC: January 19-20, 2027 
  • Additional Materials Window Opens in WIDA AMS: January 19 - March 12, 2027 

During Test Administration:

  • Test Administration Window: January 25- March 19, 2027 
  • Cut-Off Date for Newly-Enrolled Student to Test on the WIDA Screener and the WIDA ACCESS Assessment: February 19, 2027
  • Additional Materials Window Closes: March 12, 2027 
  • Student Management Window Closes: March 19, 2027

After Test Administration:

  • Deadline to Ship Materials to DRC: March 26, 2027 
  • Pre-Reporting Data Validation: April 21- 29, 2027 
  • Deadline to Pre-Identify Domain Exemptions in WAMS: April 23, 2027
  • Scores Posted in WIDA AMS: May 20, 2027 
  • Printed Individual Student Reports Delivered to Districts: June 14- 15, 2027
  • Post-Reporting Data Validation: June 11 - 25, 2027
  • Updated Scores Posted in WIDA AMS: July 9, 2027

WIDA ACCESS Exit Criteria

To exit ELD services, students must achieve a minimum overall composite score on the WIDA ACCESS, which varies by grade level and test type. Additionally, there is a secondary data element that is considered for students who take the SBA ELA test.

Grade Level Minimum Overall Score Notes
Grades K-1 4.0  
Grades 2-12 4.7 Students in Grades 3-8 and Grades 10-12 who score between a 4.3 and 4.6 on the WIDA ACCESS and score a Level 3 or 4 on the SBA ELA can exit ELD services.

WIDA Alternate ACCESS
Grades K-12

 4.0 New in 2024-25 and applied to subsequent test administration years.