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What is the ACCESS for ELLs˙?

ACCESS for ELLs˙ is a standards-based, criterion referenced English language proficiency test designed to measure English language learners' social and academic proficiency in English. It assesses social and instructional English as well as the language associated with language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies within the school context across the four language domains.

Why is an English Language Proficiency test required?

An English Language Proficiency test is required under No Child Left Behind legislation. Passed in 2001, NCLB indicates that all K-12 English language learners must be assessed annually for English proficiency growth (Title III) and academic progress (Title I). School districts receiving Title III grant resources will be held accountable under the Annual Measureable Achievement Objectives (AMAOs) provision of NCLB. Last the Illinois Administrative Code, Part 228, Section 228.15(f) indicates districts shall administer an individual language proficiency assessment to each student identified through the home language survey. This assessment shall take place within four weeks of the student's enrollment in the district, for the purpose of determining the student's eligibility for bilingual education services.

Who needs to take the ACCESS for ELLs?

How do you know if a student enrolling in your district is Limited English Proficient (LEP) also called an English Language Learner (ELL) and is eligible for language support services?

Follow these steps:

• Administer a Home Language Survey to ALL students (in Pre-K through 12th grades) newly registering in your district. (Home Language Surveys are available in English and twenty nine others languages)
• Assess the English language proficiency of all students whose parents answered "yes" to one or both of the Home Language Survey questions, Is a language other than English spoken in the home? and "Does the student speak a language other than English?"

Students in grades 1-12 take the W-APT screener. 

Students who score below a composite 4.0 on the W-APT screener are considered Limited English Proficient (LEP) and are eligible for language support services.

Students who achieve a composite score of 4.0 or above on the W-APT are considered English language proficient. (However, the district has the discretion of using additional indicators, e.g., other tests, to determine whether the student is LEP based upon the district's established criteria.)

If a student is determined to be limited English proficient (LEP), the district informs parents in writing of the results of the assessment and the program placement recommendations, describing the services that are available to assist the student become English language proficient. Sample parent notification letters are available in English and twenty-nine other languages.

To refuse language support services parents must provide the district with a signed, written statement that they are refusing services. However, this parental statement does not relinquish the district from its obligation to provide a meaningful education to the student.

Districts are required to:

• continue to assess annually all identified LEP students using the ACCESS for ELLs˙ assessment until the student tests as English language proficient.
• provide services as required for the individual student's needs and as determined by the types of programs provided by the district.
• annually assess the English language proficiency of all identified LEP students. Students who obtain a composite score of 4.0 (Tier A, B or C) or above on the annually administered state approved English Language Proficiency test, ACCESS for ELLs˙, are to be considered English Proficient. However, the district again has the discretion of using additional indicators, to determine whether the student is English Language Proficient, based upon the district's established criteria.

When is the ACCESS administered?

The test is administered in the Spring of each school year

Must all schools give the ACCESS for ELLs˙?

All Illinois public schools, including Charter schools, are required to identify and assess limited English Proficient students (LEPs).

Illinois private schools may use the ACCESS Screener (WIDA ACCESS Placement Test or W-APT) for free to assess the English language proficiency of potentially limited English proficient students. 

Private schools are NOT required to use ACCESS for ELLs˙ as recipients of Federal Title III program services. However, private schools seeking Title III program services, through their Local Educational Agency (LEA), must demonstrate that the English language proficiency of all students they report to their LEAs is assessed annually and that each student is limited English proficient.