McHenry Times

Harvard Community Unit School District 50 issued the following announcement on Jan. 8.

If your child is considered an English language learner, then your child is required to take the ACCESS for ELLs, a standards-based, criterion referenced English language proficiency test designed to measure English language learners’ social and academic proficiency in English.

The State approved ACCESS for ELLs English Language Proficiency test is required to be administered to all K-12 English language learners annually for English proficiency growth.

The test has four components: Speaking, Reading, Writing and Listening. The ACCESS will be administered throughout the district January 16– February 19, 2019. You can help your child to do his best on the days of testing by:

1. Making sure, if possible, that your child attends school on the days of testing
2. Making sure your child gets a good night’s sleep the night before testing
3. Remind your child to ask the teacher questions if he/she does not understand the test directions
4. Advise your child not to worry about the test-just do the best he/she can

Please call your child’s teacher if you want additional information or have further questions about these tests.

Sincerely yours,

Amber Bowgren

Bilingual and Dual Language Coordinator

• ACCESS Testing Parent Notification Letter
• ACCESS Testing Parent Notification Letter – Español
• ACCESS Parent Information
• ACCESS Parent Information – Español

ACCESS for ELLs 2.0 is an English language proficiency assessment for Grades K–12. The test is administered every year to help school districts monitor the English language development of students identified as English language learners.

What is the purpose of the test?

ACCESS for ELLs 2.0 measures students’ abilities to understand and produce English used within school settings. The four sections of the test are Listening, Reading, Speaking, and Writing.

Why does my child have to take the test?

Your child is identified as an English language learner. Your child will take the test every year until his/her scores meet the criteria to exit the language support program. Contact your child’s school for more information on how your child was identified as an English language learner.

When will my child take the test?

Every state sets a time frame for schools to administer ACCESS for ELLs 2.0. Schools schedule when students will take the four sections of the test during the testing time frame. Contact your child’s school for more specific information on when your child is scheduled to take ACCESS for ELLs 2.0.

How are the test scores used?

Scores from ACCESS for ELLs 2.0 can be used in many ways. Parents can use the scores to advocate for their child. Teachers use the scores to plan instruction and assessments. Districts use the scores to evaluate their language support programs, to monitor student progress in acquiring English, and to determine if a student is eligible to exit an English language support program. Scores are also used to meet federal and state accountability requirements.

Questions to Ask

Parents can use the following questions to obtain more information about their child’s testing experience:

• How will my child take the test?
• Who will give my child ACCESS for ELLs 2.0?
• Where will my child take the test?
• Did someone from the school explain the test to my son/daughter?
• Are all of my child’s teachers aware that he/she is taking the test?
• If my child has an Individualized Education Program (IEP), what accommodations will be provided to him/her during the test?
• When and how will the scores be shared with me?

Contact your child’s school if you have questions about ACCESS for ELLs 2.0.

Original source can be found here.