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Virginia English Language Proficiency Assessments

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As required in Section 1111 (b) (7) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), school divisions must annually assess the English language proficiency of all English learner (EL) students K-12.

Spring 2024 English Language Proficiency (ELP) Assessment Testing Schedule

  • Testing Window: January 16 – March 22, 2024
  • Pre-Reporting Data Validation Window: April 19 – April 29, 2024
  • Score Report Delivery: Online: May 15, 2024 / Printed: June 4, 2024
  • Post-Reporting Data Validation Window: June 11 – June 20, 2024

Refer to the Virginia WIDA Membership Webpage for other ELP testing window dates.

Annual English Language Proficiency Assessments

ACCESS for ELLs®

The Virginia Board of Education selected the WIDA Consortium’s Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State-to-State for English Language Learners (ACCESS for ELLs®) test in 2007 as the state-approved English language proficiency (ELP) assessment. The ACCESS for ELLs® test is an English language proficiency assessment based on the Model Performance Indicators (MPIs) of the WIDA English language development (ELD) standards for students K-12. The ACCESS for ELLs® test assesses social and instructional English used within the school context as well as academic English associated with language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies across the four language domains of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The ACCESS for ELLs® test is administered annually to EL students in grades K-12 to monitor their progress in acquiring English proficiency. For more information, see the ACCESS for ELLs test.

The ACCESS for ELLs® test is available in online and paper formats. Divisions may select one of the following options for administering the ACCESS for ELLs® test to English Learners (EL) students 1-12:

  • All EL students will be assessed with the online ACCESS for ELLs® test (with an option for any student to respond in a test booklet for the Writing test);
  • All EL students will be assessed with the paper ACCESS for ELLs® test; or
  • Some EL students will be assessed with the online ACCESS for ELLs® test, and some EL students will be assessed with the paper ACCESS for ELLs® test.

The Kindergarten ACCESS for ELLs® test is available only in the paper format. All ACCESS for ELLs® test materials are ordered through the test vendor, Data Recognition Corporation (DRC). DRC Customer Service is available by email or by telephone at (855) 787-9615.

WIDA Alternate ACCESS

The WIDA Alternate ACCESS® test is an English language proficiency assessment based on the Alternate Model Performance Indicators (MPI) of the WIDA English Language Development (ELD) standards. The WIDA Alternate ACCESS® test assesses social and instructional English used within the school context as well as academic English associated with language arts, mathematics, and science across the four language domains of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The WIDA Alternate ACCESS® test is administered annually to EL students with the most significant cognitive disabilities to monitor their progress in acquiring English proficiency. 

In spring 2013, the WIDA Alternate ACCESS® test, formerly known as Alternate ACCESS for ELLs, became the state-approved ELP assessment for English Learners (ELs) with the most significant cognitive disabilities in grades 1 - 12. Beginning in January 2024, the WIDA Alternate ACCESS® test will be available to ELs in Kindergarten. WIDA Alternate ACCESS® test materials are ordered through DRC. For more information, see the WIDA Alternate ACCESS® test.

ELP Assessments for English Learners with Disabilities who cannot participate in ACCESS Testing

Previously it was not possible to calculate a composite score for students who did not participate in each of the four domains of the ACCESS for ELLs test. This situation was particularly impactful for ELs with vision or hearing impairments that precluded them from participating in one or two domains. These students were typically assessed using the Virginia English Language Proficiency Checklist for English Learners in Grades K-12 with Hearing and Visual Impairments (Virginia ELP Checklist K-12). However, the scores produced by the Virginia ELP Checklist did not allow for calculation of progress toward English proficiency.

Beginning with the Spring 2022 ELP administration, the WIDA consortium developed an alternate calculation model that allows for the calculation of a composite score for students whose disabilities preclude them from participating in one or two domains of the ACCESS for ELLs or WIDA Alternate ACCESS test. Qualifying ELs will be eligible to participate in two or three domains of the ACCESS for ELLs or WIDA Alternate ACCESS test and have a composite ELP level calculated based on the domains assessed. Before determining student participation in two or three test domains, please refer to the WIDA Accessibility and Accommodations Manual to review accommodations available for EL students with disabilities.

The Virginia ELP Checklist K-12 and the Virginia English Language Proficiency Checklist for English Learners in Kindergarten with Significant Cognitive Disabilities (Virginia ELP Checklist K) are still available for students that cannot be assessed in two or more domains. 

  • Virginia English Language Proficiency Checklist for English Learners in Grades K-12 with Hearing and Visual Impairments (Virginia ELP Checklist K-12)

The Virginia ELP Checklist K-12 is an English language proficiency assessment for ELs in grades K-12 with hearing and/or visual impairments that prevent participation in ACCESS for ELLs® testing. The Virginia ELP Checklist K-12 was developed using the Model Performance Indicators (MPIs) in the Summative Framework of the WIDA ELD standards for kindergarten, grade 1, and grade-level clusters 2-3, 4-5, 6-8, and 9-12 and, as such, contains proprietary information. School division staff should contact the Division Director of Testing to request information regarding the administration of this ELP assessment. The EL committee and the IEP/504 Management Plan team must work collaboratively to determine the EL student’s eligibility to be assessed with the Virginia ELP Checklist K-12.

  • Virginia English Language Proficiency Checklist for English Learners in Kindergarten with Significant Cognitive Disabilities (Virginia ELP Checklist K)

The Virginia ELP Checklist K is an English language proficiency assessment for ELs in kindergarten whose significant cognitive disabilities prevent participation in kindergarten ACCESS for ELLs® testing. Until spring 2024, the WIDA Alternate ACCESS® test was not available for kindergarten ELs; therefore, the Virginia ELP Checklist K was developed using the Alternate MPIs of the WIDA ELD standards for kindergarten and, as such, contains proprietary information. Starting in spring 2024, the EL committee and the IEP/504 Management Plan team must work collaboratively to determine the EL student’s eligibility to be assessed with the Virginia ELP Checklist K or the new Alternate ACCESS K-2 test. However, the Alternate ACCESS K-2 test should be administered to students that can participate in at least two or more domains.  School division staff should contact the Division Director of Testing to request information regarding the administration of the ELP assessments.

English Language Proficiency Screening Assessments

An ELP screening assessment is administered to a potential EL student during the enrollment process to determine the student’s English language proficiency level and eligibility for English language instructional services. School divisions may select one of the following WIDA ELP screening assessments to administer.

  • WIDA Screener
    The WIDA Screener is an English language proficiency assessment given to incoming students in Grades 1-12 to assist educators with the identification of students as English learners (ELs). The purpose of this assessment is to help educators make decisions about whether a student is a candidate for English learner support services. The WIDA Screener is available as either a paper-based or online assessment. Both WIDA Screener Paper and WIDA Screener Online assess the four language domains of Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing. For more information, including test administration materials, see the WIDA Screener webpage.
  • WIDA Screener for Kindergarten
    WIDA Screener for Kindergarten is an individually administered paper-and-pencil test that helps educators identify students as English language learners (ELLs). It is typically given to students one time when they enter your school or district as they start Kindergarten or first grade. The WIDA Screener for Kindergarten is available at no cost from the WIDA Consortium when downloading test materials. A full WIDA Screener for Kindergarten testing kit for 30 students can be ordered from the WIDA store. For more information, including test administration materials, see the WIDA Screener for Kindergarten webpage.
  • WIDA MODEL
    The WIDA MODEL (Measure of Developing English Language) is a series of English language proficiency assessments for students K-12. It is administered as a screening assessment to determine a student’s English language proficiency level and need for English learner support services. The WIDA MODEL is available for purchase from the WIDA Store. For more information, including ordering information, see the WIDA MODEL.

ELP Assessment Resources

ELP Assessment Testing Irregularities (ELPAIWAS)

The English Language Proficiency Assessment Irregularities Web Application System (ELPAIWAS) was developed by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) to provide an efficient and automated method for submitting and resolving testing irregularities. To learn more about how to report irregularities that occur on the WIDA ACCESS for ELLs tests, please refer to the following webpage and user guide.

Contact Information

Virginia Department of Education
Office of Student Assessment
Telephone: 804-225-2102
Email: student_assessment@doe.virginia.gov

WIDA Client Services Center
Telephone: 866-276-7735
Email: help@wida.us

Data Recognition Corporation
Telephone: 855-787-9615
Email: WIDA@datarecognitioncorp.com