ACCESS/Alt-ACCESS | Grades K-12 ACCESS | Grades K-12 Alt-ACCESS | Summative
The ACCESS for English Language Learners (ELLs) is New Mexico’s assessment of academic English language proficiency. It is administered to current English Learners in grades K-12. The Alternate ACCESS assessment is administered to English Language Learners (ELLs) with the most significant cognitive disabilities whose special education IEPs designate it as the appropriate English language proficiency assessment. Alt-ACCESS measures overall proficiency in the development of academic English language.
State Policy for EL Identification and Proficiency Criteria Memorandum (March 16, 2023)
Teacher/School Leader Resources
WIDA offers many resources to aid in educators’ placement decisions and instructional planning, including:
Additional Resources
- Annual Technical Report for ALTERNATE ACCESS for ELLs® English Language Proficiency Test, Series 503, 2021-2022 Administration
- Annual Technical Report for ACCESS for ELLs Online English Language Proficiency Test Series 503, 2021–2022 Administration
- Annual Technical Report for ACCESS for ELLs Paper English Language Proficiency Test Series 503, 2021–2022 Administration
- WIDA English Language Development Standards Framework, 2020 Edition
- WIDA Test Development Process
- NMPED Accommodations Manual Version 3 – Sept. 26, 2023
- Domain Exemption(s) for English Learners with Impairments For ACCESS/Alt ACCESS Administration
- Understanding Scores & Reports
- Preparing students for ACCESS Testing
- Alternate ACCESS for ELLS
- ACCESS for ELLs Online Checklist
- ACCESS for ELLs Returning Materials Checklist
- NM ELL Identification and Placement Guidance 20-21
- ACCESS Suite of Assessments
- WIDA / NM State Page
- WIDA Secure Log In
- DRC Insight Secure Log In
- NM LUS Guidance Handbook: Tools for Identifying Potential English Learners
- English Language Development Instructional Framework Guidance Handbook
Student & Family Resources
Educators use ACCESS results, along with other WIDA resources, to make decisions about students’ English academic language and to facilitate their language development. Students’ scores reflect proficiency levels ranging from Level 1 (Entering) to Level 6 (Reaching). Test scores can be used:
- For accountability purposes
- As benchmarks against which educators can measure future performance
- As a measure to make reclassification decisions about whether a student can exit English language support services
- To support decisions about placing students into appropriate classes or groups for instruction, instructional planning
- To show the progress students have made
Please contact local school administrations for necessary accommodations and additional language options for interpreting student results information.