W-APT
The W-APT stands for the WIDA-ACCESS Placement Test. The W-APT is a screening test that is given to incoming students who may be identified as English Learners (ELs). This test is required by the state and helps determine whether students are eligible for the English as a Second Language Program (ESL). It is designed to measure the student’s language proficiency level on the WIDA continuum. This assessment also serves as a guide for placement within the ESL program.

The W-APT test items are written from the model performance indicators of WIDA's five English Language Proficiency (ELP) standards, the test is divided into five grade-level clusters and each test assesses the four language domains: listening, speaking, reading and writing.

ACCESS
The ACCESS test is given annually to all students in Pennsylvania who are in an ESL Program. This assessment is used to monitor students’ English language proficiency levels as they acquire academic English in the four language domains of listening, speaking, reading and writing. There are several changes to the assessment this year.

• Most students in grades 1-12 will complete the online version called ACCESS for ELLs 2.0.  
• Most students in grades 6-12 will complete listening, speaking, reading, and writing online.
• Most students in grades 4-5 will complete listening, speaking, and reading online, but they will respond to computer based writing prompts on paper. 
• Most students in grades 1-3 will complete listening, speaking, and reading online, but they will complete a paper version for the written test.
• The kindergarten version of the test will remain the same as last year.

Federal guidelines require all students classified as ELs be assessed yearly for English language proficiency.

Alternate ACCESS
The Alternate ACCESS is a test similar to the ACCESS that assesses students’ English language proficiency levels in grades 1-12 who are already identified as English Learners (ELs). To qualify for the Alternate ACCESS students must have significant cognitive disabilities that prevent them from meaningful participation in the ACCESS for ELLs 2.0 assessment. The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB; 2001) requires all students classified as ELs to be assessed yearly for English language proficiency, even students who are in special education. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA; 2004) mandates that students with disabilities must participate in state and district assessments. These students may take alternate assessments with appropriate accommodations as documented in their Individualized Education Programs (IEP). WIDA created the Alternate ACCESS for ELLs for the above reasons. The Alternate ACCESS for ELLs is designed to measure English language proficiency growth of students with significant cognitive disabilities.

Arabic Parent ACCESS Guide (PDF -261 KB)
Arabic Parent Letter (PDF -42 KB)
Chinese Parent ACCESS Guide (PDF -258 KB)
Chinese Parent Letter (DOC -27 KB)
English Parent ACCESS Guide (PDF -190 KB)
English Parent Letter (PDF -14 KB)
Russian Parent ACCESS Guide (PDF -265 KB)
Russian Parent Letter (PDF -35 KB)
Somali Parent ACCESS Guide (PDF -229 KB)
Spanish Parent ACCESS Guide (PDF -177 KB)
Spanish Parent Letter (DOC -26 KB)

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