ACCESS
Federal and state laws require that English Learners be assessed annually to measure their proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. ACCESS for ELLs is based on the WIDA English Language Development standards and administered each January and. This standards-based, criterion-referenced English language proficiency test is designed to measure English learners’ social and academic proficiency in English.
The scores produced by ACCESS for ELLs will identify which proficiency level an EL has attained at the time of the assessment in each domain of speaking, listening, reading, and writing and the composite areas of literacy, oral language, and overall proficiency.
The purpose of ACCESS for ELLs is to provide data and resources to strengthen curriculum and instruction, as well as to identify EL students who are progressing toward, or have achieved, English language proficiency.
MCAS
English Learners are required to participate in the annual state-mandated MCAS assessment. English learners in their first year of enrollment in U.S. public schools have the option of not participating in the ELA portion of MCAS ELA in Grades 3-8 and Grade 10. All English Learners must participate in MCAS Mathematics and Science and Technology/Engineering tests scheduled for their grade, regardless of year of enrollment in U.S. schools. English Learners who are in their second year of enrollment or beyond must participate in all MCAS testing.