ACCESS for English Learners (WIDA)

REQUIRED BY STATE OF TENNESSEE 
 
 
During the current school year, English Learners will take the ACCESS for ELLs to determine language proficiency. ACCESS assesses students in the four language domains of Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing.
 
Applicable Federal/State Law

Administered in accordance with the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015.

Purpose & Use

Administered to English Learners to evaluate English proficiency. Additional information is available here. 

Administration Window

February 13-April 3, 2023

 

Looking ahead: 

  • Test schedules are dependent on the testing windows issued by the Tennessee Department of Education and will be updated by July 31 of each year. They will likely mirror the dates above, but cannot be confirmed until after the information is released by TDOE.

 

Length of Assessment
The test is self-paced with target administration times for each section of the test as follows:
  • Listening: Up to 40 minutes
  • Reading: Up to 35 minutes
  • Speaking: Up to 30 minutes
  • Writing Tier A: Up to 45 minutes
  • Writing Tiers B/C: Up to 60 minutes 

 

Results to Parents & Students

Additional information is posted at https://wida.wisc.edu/memberships/consortium/tn.