WIDA (World-class Instructional Design and Assessment) is a cooperative that includes 2s states dedicated to the "design and implementation of high standards and equitable educational opportunities for English language learners."
ESL teachers receive training in Access Test administration from WIDA. Teachers may train in one two, or all three components of the test, including the listening, reading and writing component, the speaking component and the kindergarten component.
Each grade level cluster has a three-tiered Access Test. The first tier targets the lowest levels of English proficiency, the second tier covers the middle levels, and the third tier covers the higher levels of proficiency. This is to ensure that students at all levels will feel comfortable taking the test, which results in a more accurate score.
The WIDA standards include covering English as a social and instructional language as well as a language of math, science, social studies and language arts. These tests and curricula are designed for students from pre-kindergarten through 12 grade.
The WIDA Access Placement Test (W-APT) is used as a program placement tool for new ESL students, whereas the Access Test is a method of annual assessment. Therefore, an ESL student who has never been tested will most likely begin with the W-APT.