WIDA ACCESS and Alternate ACCESS

2025-26 Assessment Window: Feb. 9 – March 20, 2026

Assessment Description and History

WIDA ACCESS is the District of Columbia's annual assessment of English proficiency, administered to students who are identified as English learners (ELs) in grades K-12. An English learner is a student formally identified as needing language supports to successfully engage with academic content in English. Students are identified as eligible for EL services through the Screening, Identification, and Placement process outlined on the  English Learner Policy and Programs webpage.

WIDA ACCESS measures students’ English language skills in four domains: Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing. It is one way to understand a student’s progress in English language proficiency. These scores help families, teachers, schools, and district determine how best to support, instruct, and provide services for English learners..

Test Design 

Based on the WIDA English Language Development Standards Framework, WIDA ACCESS is the collective name for WIDA's suite of summative English language proficiency assessments. These assessments meet the federal requirements for monitoring and reporting ELs’ progress toward English language proficiency. It is a flexible suite of tests that so that all ELs can demonstrate what they know.  Visit this link for more information about each of the tests, links to test practice and sample items, and information about scores and reporting. A brief description of each test follows:

• WIDA ACCESS Online is a computer-based, adaptive test that responds to student performance and may be administered in group or individual settings. This assessment is given annually to students in grades 1-12. Most EL students participate in this version of the assessment in the District of Columbia.
• WIDA ACCESS Paper is a paper-based, semi-adaptive test that may be administered in group or individual settings. This assessment is given annually to students in grades 1-12. This is an accommodation for a select group of students in the District of Columbia.
• WIDA ACCESS for Kindergarten ACCESS is a paper-based test individually administered to kindergarten students in a game-like, interactive format. This assessment is given annually.
• WIDA Alternate ACCESS is a large-print, paper-based test individually administered to students in grades K-12 who are identified as ELs with the most significant cognitive disabilities. Alternate ACCESS is intended for ELs who participate, or who would be likely to participate, in the statewide alternate content assessments. A student must be approved for alternate assessment participation through the process established by OSSE prior to taking this version of the assessment. Visit this link for information about the OSSE alternate assessment eligibility process.

Accessibility for All Students

OSSE is committed to providing equitable assessment opportunities for students in the District of Columbia. More information can be found on OSSE’s Testing Accommodations webpage. For details about how the WIDA ACCESS assessments support accessibility, please read the Accessibility and Accommodations Manual on the WIDA website.

Less than Four Domains

In the rare event that a student’s disability prevents them from accessing all four domains (Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing) of the WIDA ACCESS or Alternate ACCESS assessment, OSSE has an established process for approving student exemption from completing one or more domains assessment. A student must be approved by OSSE for exemption after review of their application.

Training Information

Beginning with the 2025-26 school year, all WIDA ACCESS and WIDA Alternate ACCESS test coordinators and test administrators must annually and successfully complete the training(s) for the assessment(s) they are administering. Successful completion of a course is demonstrated by passing the embedded quiz with an 80% or higher. OSSE recommends that these courses be completed two to four weeks prior to test administration. All training courses are accessed through the WIDA Secure Portal. 

OSSE also recommends that Test Coordinators become familiar with all technology requirements two to four weeks prior to test administration.

Test Results 

OSSE has posted public results from the 2024 ACCESS for ELLs & Alternate ACCESS administration online. The data files provide aggregate state-, sector-, and school-level results. Resources for educators and parents are also available.

An overview of the 2024 ACCESS & Alternate ACCESS results can be found here.

The results for the 2025-26 WIDA ACCESS and WIDA Alternate ACCESS administration will be available soon. However, the WIDA Consortium has implemented revisions to the WIDA ACCESS for Kindergarten and WIDA ACCESS assessments with the intended goal of better incorporating the WIDA ELD Standards Framework. The 2025-26 administration was the first time students tested with the new content. Once the first administration of a new or revised assessment concludes, a process called standard setting occurs. This process ensures that students’ scores accurately reflect what the assessment measures. In this case, standard setting will help ensure that the student’s scores accurately reflect a student’s English language development. Standard setting will result in a realignment of scale scores and performance levels. For more information about what a standard setting is and how it will impact WIDA ACCESS scoring and reporting, this document addresses questions about the process and its impact.

Additionally, the DC School Report Card gives families a look into all public schools in the District of Columbia.

For more information about results, please contact [email protected].

Assessment Resources

OSSE Resources

• 2025-26 ACCESS for ELLs Readiness Guide | This guide includes recommended steps for LEA ACCESS Coordinators to prepare for spring 2024 administration.
• English Learner Policy and Programs
• English Learners Exit Criteria 
• Testing Accommodations 

WIDA Resources

• District of Columbia WIDA Homepage
• WIDA English Language Development (ELD) Standards Framework, 2020 Edition
• WIDA Accessibility and Accommodations Manual
• WIDA ACCESS District and School Test Coordinator Manual
• WIDA ACCESS Test Administrator Manual
• WIDA Assessment Management System (AMS)
• WIDA Secure Portal

Contact Information

For direct inquiries, please contact Rachel Knaizer, Assessment Specialist, at [email protected].

You may also contact the general OSSE Office of Assessments email at [email protected].

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