2025-2026 WIDA Assessment Guidance

Abstract

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as amended by Section 3113 of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), requires state educational agencies (SEAs) to establish and implement standardized, statewide entrance and exit procedures for English learners (ELs). WIDA provides the English language proficiency placement and annual assessments administered in Indiana, which inform programmatic decisions such as initial identification of ELs and placement into an EL program. The "2025-2026 WIDA Assessment Guidance" provides information on the following 16 topics: (1) English Language Proficiency Requirements; (2) Participation Requirements; (3) WIDA Assessments in Grades K-12; (4) WIDA ACCESS Annual Assessments Testing Window; (5) Indiana EL Entrance and Exit Criteria; (6) Non-Participation of ELs in WIDA ACCESS Testing; (7) Scheduling and Timing Guidance; (8) Translation of Directions in Native Language; (9) Test Results and Reporting; (10) User Roles and Responsibilities; (11) Training Requirements; (12) Testing Modes and Technology Guidance; (13) Common Testing Issues and Irregularities; (14) WIDA Accessibility Features and Accommodations; (15) WIDA Alternate ACCESS; and (16) Support and Resources.