Embedded Files
News & Announcements
News & Announcements
NEW! An Updated ACCESS Results Dashboard Quickstart Guide is available! Use this guide to orient to the new ACCESS Results dashboard (now updated with official DESE R2 results!). Posted: 09/05/25
R2 Scores have been released in your school's ACCESS Dropbox. Posted: 09/05/25
BPS Guidance for Assigning Paper-Based ACCESS Tests now available. Posted: 02/24/25
DESE has released a new document outlining the revised method for calculating scores for students with SPD codes on ACCESS. Download and view the doument here. Posted: 01/07/25
About ACCESS
About ACCESS
What is WIDA ACCESS?
What is WIDA ACCESS?
Annual test taken at the beginning of January every school year (federal and state requirement)
Measures students’ English proficiency in the 4 language domains: Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing
Results help place students in English Language (EL) programming
Students' English Language Development (ELD) Level is determined by results
Results help inform ESL service level determinations (SDD) and instructional support
Exit Criteria:
Standard ACCESS: 4.2+ overall and 3.9+ literacy
Alternate ACCESS: a qualifying score of 12 on the English language Observation Form and meet the P2-equivalent scale score cutoff for their grade cluster:
K2–2: 959
3–5: 958
6–8: 964
9–12: 967
What are the participation requirements for WIDA ACCESS?
What are the participation requirements for WIDA ACCESS?
Federal and state laws mandate that all English Learners (ELs) are assessed annually to gauge their English language proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking, as well as to monitor their progress in language acquisition. In compliance with these laws, all students identified as ELs are required to participate in ACCESS for ELLs assessments. Learn more here.
What are the different ACCESS tests?
What are the different ACCESS tests?
How are students assessed?
How are students assessed?
Virtually all students will take computer-based (i.e., online) ACCESS tests. IEP teams or 504 coordinators must determine whether an EL student with a disability is able to take the computer-based test (with or without a handwriting booklet) or would require a paper-based test as an accommodation and list this information in the student's IEP or 504 plan. EL educators familiar with the student must also determine if a first-year EL (i.e., a student who was first reported as EL after the March SIMS) requires either the online test (with or without a handwriting booklet) or a paper-based test if they are unfamiliar with technology. The Kindergarten and Alternate WIDA ACCESS tests will continue to be offered as paper-based assessments.
Key Dates
Key Dates
11/25/25 - 3/6/26*: WIDA AMS Test Setup Available for Registrations
12/18/25: DESE Loads Pre-ID/Student Import File into WIDA AMS - 2nd Import
1/5/26 - 1/6/26: Schools Receive Test Materials
1/5/26 - 2/27/26: TEST WINDOW**
1/5/26 - 2/20/26: Additional Test Material Ordering Window in WIDA AMS
2/20/26: Last day required to test newly enrolled and identified (screened) EL students**
3/3/26: Deadline for Shipping Completed Test Materials to DRC - Postmark date
3/30/26 - 4/3/26: Pre-Reporting Data Validation in WIDA AMS
4/27/26: Schools Receive ACCESS and Alternate ACCESS Reports and Data - Posted in WIDA AMS
5/15/26 - 5/18/26: Schools Receive Printed ACCESS and Alternate ACCESS Reports
6/9/26: Updated ACCESS and Alternate Access Data - Posted in WIDA AMS
Testing dates subject to change. | *This date is reserved for potential testing window extensions. |** Dates have been updated from previously reported dates
DESE Data & Reporting Timeline
DESE Data & Reporting Timeline
✅ July 2025: ACCESS 2025 results without SGPA, progress, attainment, targets; with participation indicators.
✅ Aug. 2025: ACCESS 2025 results with SGPA, progress, attainment, targets, participation indicators, and assigned overall scores for students with up to two Deferred Special Education/504 (SPD) codes.
Dates are subject to change. | School ACCESS Test Coordinators can retrieve state files through DropBox Central when they are available.
Trainings & Webinars
Trainings & Webinars
BPS Trainings & webinars
BPS Trainings & webinars
Trainings dates for SY25-26 are coming!
Trainings from SY24-25
Understanding ACCESS State Targets: Training Resources
School ACCESS Test Coordinator Kickoff!: Training Resources
ACCESS Data Validation: Training Slides | Training Recording
ACCESS Score Report Training: Asynchronous Training (slides with audio)
Click the event link to view a description of each training session and the intended audience. | Event invites will be updated with materials as the date gets closer.
DESE Trainings & webinars
DESE Trainings & webinars
Trainings dates for SY25-26 are coming!
Trainings from SY24-25
Understanding and Implementing ACCESS Tests: This PowerPoint offers an overview of key information about ACCESS testing. It includes details on participation requirements, important dates and deadlines, and the roles and responsibilities of district and school staff. Additionally, the presentation provides guidance on where to find helpful resources and includes contact information for the Department, WIDA, and DRC. Please note that this training is asynchronous and was not delivered live. [Resources Here]
WIDA Alternate ACCESS: Changes & Exit Criteria: A webinar on changes and exit criteria was scheduled for September 25, 2024 [Resources Here]
2024-2025 ACCESS for ELLs Test Coordinator Workshop: A webinar for School ACCESS Test Coordinators was presented on December 3rd, 4th, 10th and 12th. [Resources Here]
Data Validation Webinar: This webinar is intended to provide a brief overview of the ACCESS for ELLs data validation process and action steps necessary to ensure more accurate records in WIDA AMS. Accurate student demographic information, accommodations and Do Not Score codes are necessary in order to receive full score reports for students. [Resources Here]
DESE: ACCESS for ELLs Reporting Webinar: [Resources Here]
DRC/WIDA Trainings & webinars
DRC/WIDA Trainings & webinars
Assessment Training Portal | Test Administrator Training Guide | Wida Secure Portal Guide
WIDA Screener for Kindergarten: July 23, 2024, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EST [See video and related resources]
WIDA Screener Online and Paper: August 6, 2024, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EST [See video and related resources]
Understanding 2023-24 WIDA Alternate ACCESS Score Reports: August 27, 2024, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EST [See video and related resources]
Welcome Back: What’s New in 2024?: September 10, 2024, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EST [See video and related resources]
ACCESS for New Test Administrators: September 12, 2024, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EST [See video and related resources]
ACCESS for New District Test Coordinators: September 17, 2024, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EST [See video and related resources]
Ordering Materials in WIDA AMS: September 24, 2024, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EST [See video and related resources]
ACCESS Software Updates and Tech Readiness Checklist: October 1, 2024, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EST [See video and related resources]
ACCESS Technology Support and Online Preparedness: November 5, 2024, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EST [See video and related resources]
Kindergarten ACCESS for New Test Administrators: November 12, 2024, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EST [See video and related resources]
Managing Student Information for ACCESS Testing: November 14, 2024, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EST [See video and related resources]
WIDA Alternate ACCESS for New Test Administrators: November 19, 2024, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EST [See video and related resources]
Managing ACCESS Registrations in WIDA AMS: December 3, 2024, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EST [See video and related resources]
Managing Test Materials in WIDA AMS: December 5, 2024, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EST [See video and related resources]
ACCESS Technology Troubleshooting: December 12, 2024, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EST [See video and related resources]
Returning ACCESS Test Materials: January 21, 2025, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EST [See video and related resources]
Monitoring Completion for Test Coordinators: January 23, 2025, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EST [See video and related resources]
ACCESS Data Validation: March 4, 2025, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EST [See video and related resources]
Interpreting ACCESS Score Reports: March 11, 2025, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EST [See video and related resources]
WIDA Alternate Screener: July 15, 2025, 2:00-3:00 PM | Register Here!
WIDA Screener for Kindergarten: July 29, 2025, 2:00-3:00 PM | Register Here!
Welcome Back: What's New in 2025 - 2026?: Sept. 2, 2025, 2:00-3:00 PM | Register Here!
WIDA ACCESS for New Test Administrators: Sept. 9, 2025, 2:00-3:00 PM | Register Here!
Ordering WIDA ACCESS Materials in WIDA AMS: Sept. 23, 2025, 2:00-3:00 PM | Register Here!
Resources
Resources
BPS Resources
BPS Resources
Newsletters and Memos
Newsletters and Memos
Test Administrator Training/Certification
Test Administrator Training/Certification
Test Administration
Test Administration
Guides
Guides
Testing Schedule Guidance
Testing Schedule Guidance
Technical Specifications
Technical Specifications
How to Configure Chromebooks for ACCESS Testing (List of Org Unit Codes)
Accessibility Features and Accommodations
Accessibility Features and Accommodations
Family Engagement
Family Engagement
DaTa ValiDation
DaTa ValiDation
BPS: Pre-Reporting Data Validation (2024): Presentation | Recording
Score Reporting
Score Reporting
BPS: ACCESS 2024 Score Report Training: Presentation | Recording
MIsc. REsources!
MIsc. REsources!
DESE Resources
DESE Resources
resource sites
resource sites
Test Administration
Test Administration
Guides
Guides
Accessibility Features and Accommodations
Accessibility Features and Accommodations
Participation Guidelines
Participation Guidelines
Service Now Forms
Service Now Forms
WIDA/DRC Resources
WIDA/DRC Resources
resource sites
resource sites
Test Administration
Test Administration
Test Manuals
Test Manuals
Guides
Guides
Test Administrator Manual (2024)
Accessibility and Accommodations Supplement (outdated, but still informative)
Sample Items and Practice Questions
Sample Items and Practice Questions
Family Resources
Family Resources
Paper-Based Speaking Test
Paper-Based Speaking Test
Data Validation
Data Validation
Contact Information
Contact Information
BPS
BPS
Call: 617-635-8066
MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)
MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)
Call: 781-338-3625
Email: access@mass.gov
WIDA AMS/DRC
WIDA AMS/DRC
Call: 1-866-276-7735
Email: help@wida.us
WIDA Help Desk
WIDA Help Desk
Call: 1-855-787-9615
Email: WIDA@datarecognitioncorp.com
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