English Language Learner Program

All English Learner (EL) students, grades K-12, take the annual English Language Proficiency Assessment each spring semester (February-March). State of Alaska has adopted ACCESS for ELLs, measuring the students' Listening, Reading, Speaking, and Writing skills. Scores in each domain range from 1.0 to 6.0 with 6.0 being the highest possible score. Students are exited from ELL Program services based on the results of this assessment. In Alaska, the exit criteria are as follows:

• Overall Proficiency Level (Composite) 4.5 or higher in ACCESS for ELLs 

The ACCESS for ELLs score report provides information on what a student is able to do on their current proficiency level. WIDA Can-Do-Descriptors, included in the score report, give educators at-a-glance information on how to best personalize learning for their ELs. The ACCESS for ELLs score reports are available in PowerSchool under Static Files.

WIDA consortium provides educators a plethora of resources on how to interpret ACCESS for ELLs score reports and personalize instruction for ELs: 

• Finding Your Students' Superpowers: Using ACCESS for ELLs Score Reports
• Understanding Your Multilingual Learners
• English Language Development Standards Framework