Annual Assessment
All ELs in Pennsylvania are required to be assessed annually on their English proficiency. Pennsylvania requires that all public districts and schools use the ACCESS for ELs 2.0 assessment for students in grades K-12 who are classified as an English Learner.
The assessment is given each year during a specified window of time determined by the state. All students must take the online version of the assessment unless an exemption to use a paper-based one has been approved by PDE. The results of the assessment help to determine progress and growth made by each EL. Additionally, the scores are used as one criterion for determining the possibility of re-classification or exit from the Language Instructional Education Program. The ACCESS is administered by an individual who is WIDA certified and has taken the appropriate online training necessary to administer the assessment.
The Alternate ACCESS for ELs is only available for students who have severe cognitive disabilities and would otherwise take the PASA. This assessment is only available in paper and must again only be administered by a test administrator who has completed the appropriate WIDA training for the Alternative ACCESS.
Results of the ACCESS 2.0 assessment are typically available early to mid-June of each school year. DRC is the organization which provides the scoring and final results. A copy of a sample ACCESS Report is available to view in this section of the handbook. Additionally, an interpretive guide and parent handouts in multiple languages are available on the WIDA website (www.wida.us) under the ACCESS tab.
Assessment Accommodation Plan for PSSA/Keystone
Mars Area School District has developed a separate Assessment Accommodation Plan for the Pennsylvania Department of Education's PSSA and Keystone Exams: