ACCESS Test
An English language proficiency test Assessing Comprehension and Communications in English State to State for English Language Learners (ACCESS for ELLs), will be administered to all English language learners (ELLs) enrolled in Maine schools. This test will be the required assessment instrument for determining the proficiency levels and progress of ELLs throughout Maine. ACCESS for ELLs is aligned to the content standards of English language proficiency standards including Maine’s Learning Results and the Common Core.
Pursuant to the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, schools are required to annually assess the English language proficiency of their English Language Learners (ELLs);legally referred to as Limited English Proficient (LEP) students in kindergarten through grade 12 using a standards instrument that is common throughout the state. In response to this mandate, the WIDA Standards meet the federal requirements of assessing ELL’s proficiency levels in the domains of speaking, listening, reading, and writing.