English Language Proficiency Annual Assessments

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The WIDA ACCESS and WIDA Kindergarten ACCESS tests are Washington’s annual English language proficiency (ELP) assessment that has been utilized to measure language proficiency since 2022. Given to all Multilingual Learners (MLs) in grades K-12 who are receiving English language development (ELD) services, these assessments measure each student’s English language proficiency in the four language domains of reading, listening, writing, and speaking. Students can score between a level 1 and a level 6 in each of the four language domains and the results determine continued eligibility for ELD services.

Important Dates

  • Testing Window: January 27 – March 21, 2025
  • Testing Materials Arrive in District: January 21 – 22, 2025 (Materials are typically shipped two weeks before the window opens)
  • Additional Materials Order Window: January 21 – March 14, 2025 (Each district has ONE order of “additional” materials before associated costs are assumed)
  • Last Day to Register Students for WIDA ACCESS: February 21, 2025 (Four weeks before the end of the test administration window) 
  • Materials Return: March 28, 2025 (Materials must be picked up by the courier on or before the last day to ship)

WIDA ACCESS Exit Criteria

OSPI has established the following criteria for students exiting the English language development (ELD) program

Grade Level Minimum Overall Score
K-1 4.0
2-12 4.7
  • Students in kindergarten and grade 1 who score at least a 4.0 will exit ELD services
  • Students in grades 2-12 who score at least a 4.7 overall will exit ELD services.
  • Students in grades 2-12 who score between a 4.3 and 4.6 and earn a level 3 or 4 on the ELA portion of the SBA test can also exit ELD services.

We recognize that the annual scores for exiting ELD services are not identical to the screener eligibility criteria established in 2021. The screener is a much shorter test that does not offer the same level of detail in understanding a student's language development. For this reason, the slightly higher expectation on the less detailed test is intentional. Both criteria will be reviewed in the future, along with test results and other data, to ensure appropriate identification.

OSPI’s Multilingual Education department offers a variety of ELD program resources, including parent cover letters for the annual assessment and parent notification letters for exiting ELD services.

Resources for ELP Annual Assessments

WIDA ACCESS Administration 

WIDA ACCESS Accessibility and Accommodation Guidance

WIDA ACCESS Scores and Reporting