New for School Year 2026-27: The New York State Department of Education (NYSED) has joined the WIDA consortium, and as of school year 2026-27 will no longer administer the New York State English as a Second Language Achievement Test (NYSESLAT). All English Language Learners (ELLs) are required to take the WIDA ACCESS or WIDA Alternate ACCESS every year to determine how well they are learning English and to determine continued eligibility for ELL instruction. The New York State Identification Test for English Language Learners (NYSITELL) will continue to be administered until NYSED transitions to the WIDA Screener in fall of 2027.
NY State Identification Test for English Language Learners
Who takes this test?
New students who speak languages other than English at home take the New York State Identification Test for English Language Learners (NYSITELL). The New York State Identification Test for English Language Learners tests students’ English language skills and determines if they are an English language learner and entitled to support and services to learn English.
When is this test given?
Students take the NYSITELL within their first ten school days of their enrollment in a school in NY State.
What is on the test?
The NYSITELL includes multiple choice, written response, and oral response questions in listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
How is the test scored?
The NYSITELL is administered and scored by a qualified NY State educator.
How are the results reported?
The school in which your child is enrolled will mail a parent notification letter that will indicate the score and any additional actions that you need to take. If your child is identified as an English Language Learner, you will be asked to attend an orientation session at which you will learn about English Language Learners programs and services that are available for your child.
How are the results used?
Educators use the results of the test to determine if your child is an English Language Learner.
WIDA ACCESS and WIDA Alternate ACCESS
Who takes this test?
WIDA ACCESS or WIDA Alternate ACCESS is given to all students who are identified as English Language Learners. The purpose of the test is to determine how well they are learning English. All English Language Learners in kindergarten through grade 12 take WIDA ACCESS or WIDA Alternate ACCESS every year.
When is this test given?
In school year 2026-27 administration dates are from February 1 – April 9. WIDA ACCESS and WIDA Alternate ACCESS can be administered on any school day within the testing window.
What is on the test?
WIDA ACCESS is available in four different versions:
- WIDA ACCESS for Kindergarten
- WIDA ACCESS Online (grades 1-12)
- WIDA ACCESS Paper (grades 1-12)
- WIDA Alternate ACCESS (grades K-12)
Students who are identified as English learners with the most significant cognitive disabilities typically use WIDA Alternate ACCESS, which is a semi-adaptive, paper-based test. WIDA ACCESS Paper is available for students whose Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504 Plan include accommodations that require paper to be implemented.
WIDA ACCESS and WIDA Alternate ACCESS assess students' speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills. Administration varies by edition:
- WIDA ACCESS For Kindergarten is administered individually. The test is designed to give students an engaging, developmentally appropriate testing experience that reflects what students do in the classroom. Students are tested until they reach their performance ceiling for a given part.
- WIDA ACCESS Online can be administered to students in a group. The online test format includes built-in accessibility and accommodation features. It routes students to easier or more challenging content based on their performance.
- WIDA ACCESS Paper can be administered in a group or individually. It has several formats to support students with disabilities, including large print and braille. Students are tested until they reach their performance ceiling for a given part.
- WIDA Alternate ACCESS is administered individually to K-12 ELL students with the most severe cognitive disabilities. It is semi-adaptive and gives students multiple changes to show what they can do and stop when appropriate.
How are the tests scored?
WIDA ACCESS Online is scored by the online test engine as students test. WIDA ACCESS For Kindergarten and WIDA Alternate ACCESS are scored by the test administrator (a licensed teacher). The test administrator scores the Speaking section of WIDA ACCESS Paper, and the Listening, Reading, and Writing sections are scored by the WIDA test delivery partner.
How are the results reported?
The results are reported in proficiency levels and scale scores. Proficiency level scores place your child’s current skills within the six WIDA English language proficiency levels. Scale scores are precise measures of how your child did on the test. You can learn more about the WIDA ACCESS score on the WIDA website.
How are the results used?
Students will continue to receive English as a New Language or bilingual services until their scores on the WIDA ACCESS or WIDA Alternate ACCESS show that they have learned English well enough to participate in English-only classes. Educators also use students’ WIDA ACCESS or WIDA Alternate ACCESS scores to help decide which instructional standards to focus on, and to evaluate their programs.