Test Administrator Training
This page offers a variety of multimedia training materials explaining the WIDA assessment system. It is designed to assist district facilitators and state testing coordinators in planning local training sessions for educators.
Sample Test Items and Scored Responses
Samples of ACCESS For ELLs® test items, including Speaking (arranged according to level and score), Listening, Reading, and Writing are currently available on the D2L online test administration training course. Look for them under "Content."
The W-APT™ Scored Student Writing Sample booklet 
includes samples of authentic writing tasks completed by students who participated in the 2006 field test of the W-APT™. They include both benchmark papers and training papers to assist you in developing your ability to reliably rate your own students' writing.
Presentations on the ACCESS for ELLs®
The following presentations on the ACCESS for ELLs® test were delivered by Jim Bauman and Jessica Motz (now Nelson) of the Center for Applied Linguistics (one of WIDA's Partners) at Illinois' 28th Annual Statewide Conference for Teachers Serving Linguistically and Culturally Diverse Students from January 24-27, 2005. Both presentations are available as Microsoft Power Point (ppt) and Adobe (.pdf) files.
Structure & Field Test (PPT, PDF)
This presentation addresses the structure of the ACCESS for ELLs Test--the WIDA English Language Proficiency Standards upon which it is based, the grade level clusters and tiers, and the language domains. It touches upon the test development process and the issue of testing language versus content; provides sample Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking items from pilot and field tests; and outlines aspects of the training for both field and operational test administration.
Item Writing Process (PPT, PDF)
This presentation discusses the use of online courseware to involve ESL teachers in ACCESS test item creation. It goes into detail about the test item writing process: conceiving an item, writing it to the WIDA English Language Proficiency Standards and test specifications, and refining the item. Connections are also made to professional development for classroom instruction and assessment, and how technology might facilitate such training.
The following Microsoft Power Point presentation is also available in the WIDA Training Toolkit CD-ROM. Please contact your district or state assessment/ESL coordinator to ask for a copy of this resource.
ACCESS for ELLs Tier Placement, Test Ordering and Security, and Score Reports (PPT)
The purpose of this training module is to inform participants of the tier placement, booklet ordering, and security procedures that must be adhered to before, during, and after administration of the ACCESS for ELLs®. It offers advice on placing students in a tier and examples of students whose traits fit each tier. The roles and responsibilities of those involved in testing, particularly as they relate to test security, will be defined. Participants will become familiar with general and state-specific test security guidelines; the types of materials they will receive at the district and school level; and the timeline for receipt and return of these materials vis-á-vis the testing window. This training module also provides a sample security checklist for districts and schools to follow to ensure test security.
Introductory Information to Distribute regarding the D2L Online Test Administrator Training
Objectives and general information about assessment training as well as participants' roles throughout the training.are reviewed in the Introduction to Online Training 
which is also available in the D2L site under "Content" and on the WIDA Training Toolkit CD-ROM (please contact your district or state assessment/ESL coordinator to ask for a copy of this resource).
To automatically check whether or not your computer is configured correctly for the D2L training site, use the "Do A System Check!" feature on the D2L site, which will give you simple directions on how to go about downloading any missing plugins or applications. If you prefer, you may read our Technical specifications document.
The following instructions will serve as a guide to logging in and finding the materials you need in the online training course: How to Use Desire2Learn (D2L).
Preliminary Workshop Materials including the Nondisclosure Agreement & Oath of Confidentiality and Test Administration Manuals can be found in the D2L training site under the "Content" tab. Login using your D2L username (starting with "WIDA") and password to review, download or print these materials.
Looking for more information?
Online ACCESS for ELLs® test administration training and certification is available for educators in Consortium states. Go to the D2L / Account Creator page to find out more about getting an account and navigating the course. For state-specific requirements and instructions for D2L registration and certification, please visit the Member States page, and click on your state.
To learn about professional development opportunities for your school, district, or state, including face-to-face trainings, please visit the Professional Development section of our website.
If you have other questions, please fill out our Help Form or call toll free 1-866-276-7735.
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