aLL ABOUT ESOL TESTING
access test for ells: january 15-march 6, 2020
More information about ACCESS testing will be sent home with our January Newsletter!
Assessing COMPREHENSION and Communication in English State to State (ACCESS) for English Language Learners (ELLs) is administered, annually, to all English learners in Georgia. ACCESS for ELLs is a standards-based, criterion referenced English language proficiency test designed to measure English learners’ social and academic proficiency in English. It assesses social and instructional English as well as the language associated with language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies within the school context across the four language domains. ACCESS for ELLs meets the federal requirements that mandates require states to evaluate EL students in grades K through 12 on their progress in learning to speak English. Students take the ACCESS every year in the month of February. They will have to take this test every year until they meet the exit requirements set forth by the state.
ACCESS for ELLs is used to determine the English language proficiency levels and progress of ELs in the domains of speaking, listening, reading, and writing. ACCESS for ELLs serves five main purposes. These include:
determining the English language proficiency level of students;
providing districts with information that will help them evaluate the effectiveness of their ESOL programs;
providing information that enhances instruction and learning in programs for English language learners;
assessing annual English language proficiency gains using a standards-based assessment instrument;
providing data for meeting federal and state requirements with respect to student assessment.
Student reports are shared with parents and classroom teachers at the beginning of each school year, so that together we can review the progress the student has made towards their goal of reaching proficiency in all 4 domains within the English language: Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing. It also helps us differentiate in the classrooms, to ensure students are strengthening skills they are weakest in.
Exit Requirements
Kindergarten- Students must make a 5.0 or higher in ALL 4 domains.
Grades 1-8: Students must make an OVERALL score of a 5.0 or higher.
A Reclassification Meeting for students in grades 1-8 will be held to determine if a child who earns an overall score of a 4.3 or higher is ready to exit the ESOL program. That meeting will be held at the end of the school year once ACCESS score reports are available. The team will consist of the ESOL teacher, testing coordinator, a school administrator, and the students' teachers.
Parents may attend the meeting as well if they wish to do so.
(These state exit requirements have been updated as of May 2019.)
For more information regarding the Georgia Exit Requirements for ELLs, please visit:
https://www.gadoe.org/School-Improvement/Federal-Programs/Documents/Title%20III/EL%20Exit%20Procedures%20Updated%209May2019.pdf
Alternate ACCESS for ELLs
Alternate ACCESS for ELLs is a recently developed, individually administered test. It is intended only for English learners with significant cognitive disabilities that are severe enough to prevent meaningful participation in the ACCESS for ELLs assessment. Alternate ACCESS for ELLs is not intended for ELs who can be served with special education accommodations on ACCESS for ELLs. Decisions regarding a student's participation must be made by an IEP team.
Participation Criteria:
1. The student has been classified as an EL.
2. The student has been classified as a special education student and is receiving special education services.
3. The student has a significant cognitive disability.
4. The student participates in the Georgia Alternate Assessment (GAA).
Importantly, students shall not be administered both the Alternate ACCESS for ELLs and the ACCESS for ELLs.
PLEASE GO TO THE PARENT RESOURCES TAB FOR RESOURCES AND LINKS TO GAMES/SONGS YOUR CHILD CAN REVIEW FROM HOME TO HELP BOOST THEIR ENGLISH!
ACCESS for ELLs is used to determine the English language proficiency levels and progress of ELs in the domains of speaking, listening, reading, and writing. ACCESS for ELLs serves five main purposes. These include:
determining the English language proficiency level of students;
providing districts with information that will help them evaluate the effectiveness of their ESOL programs;
providing information that enhances instruction and learning in programs for English language learners;
assessing annual English language proficiency gains using a standards-based assessment instrument;
providing data for meeting federal and state requirements with respect to student assessment.
Student reports are shared with parents and classroom teachers at the beginning of each school year, so that together we can review the progress the student has made towards their goal of reaching proficiency in all 4 domains within the English language: Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing. It also helps us differentiate in the classrooms, to ensure students are strengthening skills they are weakest in.
Exit Requirements
Kindergarten- Students must make a 5.0 or higher in ALL 4 domains.
Grades 1-8: Students must make an OVERALL score of a 5.0 or higher.
A Reclassification Meeting for students in grades 1-8 will be held to determine if a child who earns an overall score of a 4.3 or higher is ready to exit the ESOL program. That meeting will be held at the end of the school year once ACCESS score reports are available. The team will consist of the ESOL teacher, testing coordinator, a school administrator, and the students' teachers.
Parents may attend the meeting as well if they wish to do so.
(These state exit requirements have been updated as of May 2019.)
For more information regarding the Georgia Exit Requirements for ELLs, please visit:
https://www.gadoe.org/School-Improvement/Federal-Programs/Documents/Title%20III/EL%20Exit%20Procedures%20Updated%209May2019.pdf
Alternate ACCESS for ELLs
Alternate ACCESS for ELLs is a recently developed, individually administered test. It is intended only for English learners with significant cognitive disabilities that are severe enough to prevent meaningful participation in the ACCESS for ELLs assessment. Alternate ACCESS for ELLs is not intended for ELs who can be served with special education accommodations on ACCESS for ELLs. Decisions regarding a student's participation must be made by an IEP team.
Participation Criteria:
1. The student has been classified as an EL.
2. The student has been classified as a special education student and is receiving special education services.
3. The student has a significant cognitive disability.
4. The student participates in the Georgia Alternate Assessment (GAA).
Importantly, students shall not be administered both the Alternate ACCESS for ELLs and the ACCESS for ELLs.
PLEASE GO TO THE PARENT RESOURCES TAB FOR RESOURCES AND LINKS TO GAMES/SONGS YOUR CHILD CAN REVIEW FROM HOME TO HELP BOOST THEIR ENGLISH!