Test review: ACCESS for ELLs

This article reviews Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State-to-State for English Language Learners ("ACCESS for ELLs"[R]), which is a large-scale, high-stakes, standards-based, and criterion-referenced English language proficiency test administered in the USA annually to more than 840,000 English Language Learners (ELLs), in K-12 classrooms. The test is one of the testing, curricular, professional development and teaching resources developed by the World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment (WIDA) Consortium. The test assesses social and general academic English in reading, speaking, listening, and writing, as well as language used in language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies, as exemplified in the "WIDA English Language Proficiency Standards". The reviewers conclude with an overall evaluation of how well "ACCESS for ELLs"[R] meets their eight requirements for the development of tests for ELLs: (1) Ensure that test language is accessible; (2) Include graphic/visual support; (3) Adjust the test development process to include local and situated perspectives; (4) Increase research on ELL test processing and feedback on tests; (5) Recognize the centrality of test taker feedback and response in testing processes; (6) Norm tests and report scores in relation to different student populations; (7) Develop ELL-specific test preparation support as part of the test development process; and (8) Continue to investigate test accommodations. (Contains 3 notes.)