From: Gaffney-Dilley, Debra DPI
Sent: Wednesday, February 29, 2012 1:00 PM
Subject: Alternate ACCESS for ELLs™ for English learners (ELs) with Significant Cognitive Disabilities.
District Assessment Coordinators:
This year, Wisconsin has the opportunity to administer the Alternate ACCESS for ELLs™ for English learners (ELs) with significant cognitive disabilities. By administering the optional spring 2012 Alternate ACCESS, schools can review how to implement this new alternate assessment before it is required and fully integrated into next year’s testing cycle. Districts planning to administer the optional Alternate ACCESS for ELLs this spring, 2012, may order test booklets and instructional materials from Metritech, Inc. from March 1, 2012 through March 23, 2012. A complete Alternate ACCESS for ELLs calendar can be found at
To order test booklets contact Metritech, Inc. at 1-800-507-5744 or at Please note, like the ACCESS for ELLs®, the Alternate ACCESS is organized into grade-level clusters: grades 1-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12. Please order all district test booklets at the same time.
The Alternate ACCESS is an appropriate assessment for only a very limited number of students – Limited English Proficient (LEP) students with significant cognitive disabilities for whom the ACCESS for ELLs with accommodations is not an appropriate language assessment. IEP teams composed of EL and special education professionals should make the determination. More information about the Alternate ACCESS can be found at
School professionals who plan to administer the Alternate ACCESS must complete the Alternate ACCESS web-based computer training program on the WIDA website at You can set up a username and password using the WIDA account generator for any teacher who does not yet have a WIDA account.
Since this year’s Alternate ACCESS for ELLs operational pilot is an added assessment and not required for accountability purposes, districts must obtain parent or guardian consent. Templates of the parent/guardian consent letter are available in English, Hmong, and Spanish. Copies are attached. District information should be added where appropriate.
For districts willing to undertake the Alternate ACCESS this year, your participation is truly appreciated. In addition to providing some instructional assessment data for districts, these endeavors will support efforts to further enhance the overall assessment system for Wisconsin’s English learners. Please contact Audrey Lesondak at the Office of Educational Accountability at 608-267-5153 or should you have any questions.
Debbie Gaffney Dilley
Office of Educational Accountability
Department of Public Instruction
608-267-1072