|
An update from Academic Standards, Instruction and Assessment
Date Nov. 19, 2025
Important Dates
Nov. 24: Indicate the number of WIDA ACCESS Online testers for grades 1-12 and order test materials during Materials Ordering in the WIDA Assessment Management System (WIDA AMS)
Quick Links
The Pretest Editing window for MCA and MTAS/Alt MCA preparation will not open on Nov. 24; additional information and resources will be shared as details are available. This window will open later than years past as a result of the Minnesota IT (MNIT) Services and MDE initiative to move MDE systems such as Test WES and related databases to a secure cloud server. More details on this system change were provided in the Oct. 22 Assessment Update.
Back to top
Minnesota's English language proficiency accountability assessments are being revised for the 2025-26 school year. These changes ensure full alignment with the updated WIDA ELD Standards Framework, 2020 Edition, and support the accurate measurement of student language development.
This article summarizes the key changes and upcoming actions for districts.
What’s New
The assessment names have been updated to remove the "for ELLs" designation. The titles are now WIDA ACCESS, WIDA ACCESS for Kindergarten, and WIDA Alternate ACCESS.
Although the WIDA ACCESS will look and feel the same for students and test administrators, a few changes have been made behind the scenes:
- Standard 1 (Social and Instructional Language) is now embedded throughout the assessment.
- Additional score points are available in the Tier A Speaking (P1 tasks) domain to better represent emerging language proficiency.
- New Speaking and Writing rubrics will be used for scoring.
The WIDA ACCESS for Kindergarten is fully redesigned. Key changes include simplified materials (for example, no activity board and fewer cards), a single storyline that connects all four domains, and updated scoring protocols and rubrics.
Accessibility Enhancements
The revised assessments include several new accessibility features:
- ASL Video Translations: Available for WIDA ACCESS Online Test Administrator Scripts in the WIDA Secure Portal.
- Low Vision Script (LV) Accommodation: Available for WIDA ACCESS for Kindergarten and includes enhanced scripting, specialized graphics, and optional picture descriptions. Must be ordered from DRC during the Additional Materials Ordering window.
- The Braille (BR) Accommodation: Now includes the Speaking domain for WIDA ACCESS Paper.
Note: The braille accommodation will continue using the previous Speaking scoring scale for 2026. Educators administering both the WIDA ACCESS Paper and the WIDA ACCESS Paper with the braille accommodation must complete trainings on two separate Speaking scoring courses this year.
More information is available in WIDA’s Accessibility and Accommodations Manual.
Looking Ahead to 2026 Reporting
When an assessment is administered for the first time, final results are delayed due to standard setting, which is the process that establishes cut scores for each English language proficiency level across all domains and composites. Here is what you can expect:
- Early Student-Level Results (late spring 2026): These will be available on the regular timeline and can be used for reclassification and exit decisions. The results will reflect new scale scores mapped to current proficiency levels.
- Standard Setting (July 2026): WIDA will convene educators from across the consortium to establish new proficiency level cut scores.
- Individual Student Reports (late summer 2026): These reports will retain the existing proficiency levels and will not reflect the new cut scores from the July standard setting. Updates will be shared as they become available, but exit decisions for the 2026-27 school year will not be affected.
Proficiency and Exit Criteria
Following WIDA's 2026 standard setting, MDE will review and update the state’s definition of proficiency and exit criteria for WIDA ACCESS. Additional details will be shared as they become available.
Key Resources:
Back to top
WIDA AMS Tasks
The Materials Ordering window will open Nov. 24-Dec. 12 in WIDA AMS. During this time, District Assessment Coordinators (DACs) must enter information to ensure delivery of WIDA ACCESS and WIDA Alternate ACCESS paper test materials before the WIDA testing window begins.
For each school, districts must indicate:
- Number of WIDA ACCESS for Kindergarten testers
- Number of WIDA Alternate ACCESS testers by grade cluster
- Number of large print and braille scorable test booklets by grade cluster and tier or format (for eligible students)
- Number of WIDA ACCESS Paper testers by grade cluster and tier (available as an accommodation for students with IEPs or 504 plans, or for students enrolled in U.S. schools for less than one year; refer to Chapter 8 of the Procedures Manual for more information)
- Number of WIDA ACCESS Online testers by grade cluster (scorable test booklets required for Writing tests in grade clusters 1, 2-3, and 4-5 will automatically ship based on the number of online testers indicated)
Before completing orders, verify the shipping address in WIDA AMS is accurate and update it if needed.
For more information on Materials Ordering, refer to:
- Chapter 7 of the Procedures Manual
-
WIDA AMS User Guide(available on the WIDA AMS website, no login required to access user guides)
-
District and School Test Coordinator Manual (available on the WIDA Secure Portal, login required)
-
WIDA ACCESS Online: Administration and WIDA ACCESS Paper: Administration assessment training courses (available on the WIDA Secure Portal, login required)
Important Date for the Precode File
Work with your MARSS Coordinator to ensure that all English learners are correctly indicated as EL in student enrollment data (MARSS/Ed-Fi) submitted to MDE by Dec. 11. MDE uses this data to create the precode file for WIDA ACCESS and WIDA Alternate ACCESS that is sent to DRC. This file loads student information into WIDA AMS for online testing and generates student labels for all scorable test booklets. Note: If your district uses a student information service provider to submit enrollment data, confirm their submission timeline, as it may be earlier than Dec. 11.
WIDA Training Courses
Districts set local timelines for staff to complete required trainings. Although WIDA assessment training courses are available at the start of the school year, many districts have staff complete them closer to the test administration window.
Test Administrators who administer more than one type of WIDA assessment (for example, WIDA ACCESS Online and WIDA ACCESS for Kindergarten) must complete the applicable training course for each assessment. However, MDE-required trainings only need to be completed once per school year. Refer to Chapter 7 in the Procedures Manual for specific training requirements.
Note: The WIDA ACCESS Online: Administration and the WIDA ACCESS Paper: Administration courses include modules on logistical tasks typically completed by District or School Assessment Coordinators. For Test Administrators, only Module 1: Introduction, all content marked with a star symbol on the Training Tasks page, and the certification quiz are required by MDE.
Back to top
Straggler data (or “late” assessment records) for ACCESS/WIDA Alternate ACCESS have been added to the District and School Student Results (DSR & SSR) and Student Assessment History Report in Assessment Secure Reports. This data comes from tests that were not included or available during Posttest Editing.
For ACCESS and WIDA Alternate ACCESS, this is typically due to later returns of paper test materials (for example, Kindergarten ACCESS or test booklets for the writing domain) or any score appeals, test booklet searches, or transcription requests.
Note: Updated DSR/SSR files with straggler data are not provided to the Student Information System (SIS) and data warehouse vendors who received this data from MDE this fall. Districts must provide updated files to their vendors directly, as needed.
Back to top
The Academic Standards, Instruction and Assessment division is currently seeking an Education Consultant 3 - Science Assessment Specialist to join the Test Development team. This position will provide direction, leadership, coordination, consultation, and program services to school districts and to the Division of Academic Standards, Instruction and Assessment to facilitate the development of the statewide assessments and implementation of Minnesota Academic Standards in Science. They will serve as the state expert and primary resource for the Science Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA).
If you or someone you know may be interested in a new and challenging opportunity, consult the position description and application instructions on the State of Minnesota Careers website. The Job ID is 90291, and the posting is open until Dec. 1. Visit the State of Minnesota Careers website for more information and to apply.
Back to top
Register for the DAC Pearson Basics Training
Pearson will provide the DAC Pearson Basics Training to new District Assessment Coordinators (DACs) on Thursday, Dec. 4 from 2-3:30 p.m. This virtual training is intended for DACs in their first or second year but is open to experienced DACs as well. The training covers topics not discussed in detail at the New DAC Orientation, including user management, reporting groups, and On-Demand Reports in PearsonAccess Next.
Register for the DAC Pearson Basics Training. MDE will review and approve all registrations prior to the training. Participants need to register at least 24 hours before the training to be approved. Once approved, participants will receive an email with a link to join the meeting. A meeting ID and passcode will also be provided if joining directly from Zoom.
A recorded version of the training will be posted to the Learning Management System (LMS) on Friday, Dec. 19 (DAC catalog > Pearson Trainings tag).
Back to top
MDE offices will be closed on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 27-28 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. Responses to emails and phone calls will be delayed to Monday, Dec. 1.
Back to top
Academic Standards, Instruction and Assessment
Minnesota Department of Education
Statewide Testing| Unsubscribe
|
