ACCESS for ELLs testing, the federally mandated annual English Language Proficiency Assessment for English Learner students, will begin February 1st, 2023 and will continue through March 31st, 2023.

ELL staff at each school will coordinate with principals the specific dates and times for pulling students out for ACCESS testing at the school level. Grade 1-12 students will be scheduled to take the online ACCESS for ELLs, and Kindergarten ELL students will be scheduled to take the paper-based ACCESS for ELLs test individually.

ACCESS for ELLs will assess the students’ English Language Proficiency in four domains: Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing. The results of this assessment will be available in June 2023. If you have questions regarding ACCESS for ELLs testing, please do not hesitate to contact the ELL Program Coordinator, Virva Elliott, at 452-2000 ext. 11467 or virva.elliott@k12northstar.org. You can also visit https://wida.wisc.edu/assess/access for more information.

ACCESS for ELLs Parent Notification

December 9, 2021

Dear Parent/Guardian:

Your child is currently eligible for English Language Learner (ELL) Program support services. In order to determine the progress ELL students are making in their English language proficiency, all ELL students are assessed annually using the ACCESS for ELLs test. The State of Alaska requires ACCESS for ELLs testing by law, and the School District is not allowed to give the test remotely.

Name of Test: ACCESS for ELLs. For more information about ACCESS for ELLs, please visit https://wida.wisc.edu/

Testing Window: February 1 - March 31, 2022 (Your school will provide a testing schedule for your child.)

Location: In person at your child’s school

Important Information:

• The test will measure your child’s level of English proficiency in listening, reading, speaking, and writing. Test results will be shared with you over the summer through PowerSchool Parent Portal and by mail early next school year.

• The test can only be given in person; most students take the test on a Chromebook but some students may take the test on paper.

• School staff will follow the guidelines in the School District’s health and safety plan.

• If your child has an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) due to a disability, appropriate testing accommodations, as stated in the IEP, will be provided.

• Students in Alaska exit ELL Program services when they reach an overall proficiency level of 4.5 in the ACCESS for ELLs test. Scores range from 1.0 (beginner) to 6.0 (fluent).

• You as a parent/guardian can decline ELL Program services for your student. However, we are required to continue to annually assess your student’s English Language Proficiency until your student meets the State of Alaska defined exit criteria.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the ELL Program staff at your student’s school or myself. 

Sincerely,

Virva Elliott

Director of ELL Program

Fairbanks North Star Borough School District

virva.elliott@k12northstar.org

(907) 452-2000 ext. 11467

PDF in English

PDF in Spanish

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