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WIDA explained: New York's new English tests

New York joined the WIDA Consortium. The yearly English test for English language learners (ELLs) changes from the NYSESLAT to WIDA ACCESS in spring 2027. The test for new students changes from the NYSITELL to the WIDA Screener in fall 2027.

General information as of November 8, 2026. NYSED and your school are the official word. Some rules (like how students exit ELL status under WIDA) are not published yet; we say so where it matters.

What NYSED says first: “instruction for our ELL students is not changing, only the tool measuring their progress is.”

Timeline

Swipe the timeline sideways. In 10 seconds: one new yearly test in spring 2027, one new entry test in fall 2027. Teaching stays the same.

October 8, 2025NYSED announces New York is joining the WIDA Consortium.
Spring 2026The last NYSESLAT.
February 1 - April 9, 2027The first WIDA ACCESS testing window in New York (WIDA's New York page).
2027 score reportsWIDA set new proficiency level cut scores in 2026 (educators met in July 2026). WIDA says families and teachers may notice differences on the 2027 WIDA ACCESS Individual Student Report.
Fall 2027The WIDA Screener replaces the NYSITELL for newly enrolled students. The NYSITELL is used until then.

The WIDA tests in New York

WIDA ACCESS

The yearly English test for every ELL, grades K-12. Grades 1-12 take it on a computer. A paper form is only for students whose IEP or 504 plan documents a need for it.

WIDA ACCESS for Kindergarten

Kindergarten ELLs take a paper test. WIDA released a redesigned kindergarten test for 2025-2026.

WIDA Alternate ACCESS

A paper test, grades K-12, for ELLs with the most significant cognitive disabilities. New York uses a participation decision tree. New York will use WIDA's Alternate Proficiency Level Descriptors.

WIDA Screener (from fall 2027)

For newly enrolled students who may be ELLs. It can be given any time of the year. Most students take it on a computer; kindergarten and some students take paper forms.

4 domains, 4 composite scores

Domains (the 4 skills)

👂 Listening · 🗣️ Speaking · 📖 Reading · ✍️ Writing

Composite scores

Oral Language · Literacy · Comprehension · Overall. WIDA builds them from scale scores (not from the level numbers). The score report shows each one.

The six WIDA levels

1
Entering

2
Emerging

3
Developing

4
Expanding

5
Bridging

6
Reaching

Some older WIDA documents call level 2 “Beginning.”

How to read a level score

Scores look like 3.7. WIDA says the whole number is the level, and the decimal shows how far the student has moved inside that level. 3.7 = level 3, more than halfway to level 4.
Levels are grade-specific. A 4.0 in grade 2 and a 4.0 in grade 8 mean different content. Do not compare across grades.
Language growth is not a straight line. Students can grow faster in one domain than another.

Same words, different tests

NYSESLAT (until spring 2026): 5 levels	WIDA ACCESS (from spring 2027): 6 levels
Entering · Emerging · Transitioning · Expanding · Commanding	Entering · Emerging · Developing · Expanding · Bridging · Reaching

Careful: some names match (Entering, Emerging, Expanding), but the tests and scales are different. As of November 8, 2026, we found no NYSED chart that converts NYSESLAT levels into WIDA levels. Ask your school before comparing.

The WIDA ELD Standards Framework (2020 Edition), for curious readers

WIDA ACCESS is built on WIDA's English Language Development Standards Framework, 2020 Edition. It has 5 standards: Language for Social and Instructional Purposes; Language for Language Arts; Language for Mathematics; Language for Science; Language for Social Studies. It uses 4 Key Language Uses: Narrate, Inform, Explain, Argue. It also has Language Expectations and Proficiency Level Descriptors.

In New York: WIDA's New York page says New York will not adopt this framework for teaching. Teachers keep using the New York State Academic and Linguistic Demands (ALDs) with the NYS Next Generation Learning Standards.

WIDA Can Do Descriptors

Can Do Descriptors show what language learners can do at different stages. The K-12 Key Uses Edition uses four purposes: Recount, Explain, Argue, Discuss, in grade clusters (K, 1, 2-3, 4-5, 6-8, 9-12). Spanish descriptors (“Podemos”) exist. WIDA says the Can Do Descriptors have not yet been updated to match the 2020 framework.

Score explainer: move the slider

An explainer, not a decision. Only the school and NYSED rules decide services and exit.

Domain Level score: 3.5

The plain-word notes and practice ideas are Goal100's own, not WIDA's official descriptors. Nothing is sent or saved.

Examples with made-up students

Example with made-up details

Ana, grade 4, newcomer from Ecuador (fall 2026)

Ana's family fills in the Home Language Questionnaire (available in 43 languages) and has an interview at school.
Because it is still before fall 2027, Ana takes the NYSITELL (the WIDA Screener starts in fall 2027).
Ana's NYSITELL result is Entering. Today's NYSED table for grades K-8 shows 360 minutes a week of ENL at Entering (180 stand-alone + 180 integrated ENL/ELA).
In February-April 2027, Ana takes WIDA ACCESS.

SAMPLE (made-up) WIDA ACCESS: Overall 1.8 1.8 → level 1 (Entering), most of the way to level 2

What it means: Ana is in level 1 and moving toward level 2. What we don't know yet: NYSED has not yet published how WIDA levels connect to units of study. Ask the school how Ana's 2027-28 ENL time will be set.

Practice at home: read picture books together in Spanish and English; name things around the house; use our ENL family guide.

Example with made-up numbers

Minh, grade 8: strong listening, writing is “not yet”

Swipe to see the whole report.

Listening 4.5 → level 4 (Expanding), halfway to level 5 Writing 2.9 → level 2 (Emerging), almost at level 3 Gap: 4.5 − 2.9 = 1.6 levels between the strongest and the newest skill

What it means: Minh understands a lot of spoken English. Writing is “not yet” at the same place. WIDA notes that language growth is not a straight line, so domains can grow at different speeds.

What to practice: 10 minutes of writing a day with sentence starters (“I think … because …”); write one paragraph after every class discussion; read a short text, then write 3 sentences about it. Ask the ENL teacher for a writing goal.

Example with made-up details

Sofia, grade 7: a Former ELL

Sofia scored Commanding on the NYSESLAT in spring 2025, so she exited ELL status. NYSED says Former ELLs keep services for two years after exiting, and get testing accommodations on NYS assessments for up to two years.

Exited: spring 2025 Former ELL years: 2025-26 and 2026-27 Grade 7 NYS math test in spring 2027 → accommodations still apply

Accommodations NYSED lists for ELLs and Former ELLs: extra time (for example time and a half); a separate location (alone or small group); word-for-word bilingual dictionaries or glossaries (not for world language tests); translated test editions where NYSED provides them (not for ELA); oral translation for languages without a translated edition (not for ELA); and writing answers in the home language on non-ELA tests that use a translated edition or oral translation. See testing accommodations.

Example with made-up details

Leo, kindergarten, and Sam, grade 5 with an IEP

Leo is a kindergarten ELL. In spring 2027 he takes WIDA ACCESS for Kindergarten on paper.

Sam is an ELL with the most significant cognitive disabilities and an IEP. Sam's team uses New York's participation decision tree to decide whether Sam takes WIDA Alternate ACCESS (paper) instead of WIDA ACCESS. See ENL and special education.

Exiting ELL status: what NY has published so far

Today's rules (written for NYSESLAT)

Grades K-12: Commanding on the NYSESLAT.
Grades 3-8: Expanding on the NYSESLAT and 3 or above on the NYS ELA test, same school year.
Grades 9-12: Expanding on the NYSESLAT and 65 or above on the Regents Exam in English, same school year.

Under WIDA ACCESS

As of November 8, 2026, we found no NYSED publication of exit rules based on WIDA ACCESS scores.

NYSED told the U.S. Department of Education (September 25, 2026) that the English language proficiency part of school accountability will come back for 2028-29 decisions after “standard setting, cut-point determinations, and regulatory alignments.”

Ask your school: “How will exit from ELL status work after the 2027 WIDA ACCESS?”

Accountability note: the U.S. Department of Education approved New York's request to leave the English language proficiency indicator out of school accountability decisions based on 2026-2027 results, while NYSED does technical work for the move to WIDA. Results are still reported.

For families

Nothing to buy. Your child does not need special prep books. Good daily teaching is the best prep.
Ask for the score report in your language. WIDA has a family flyer, “Understanding Your Child's Scores,” in 18 languages, and parent letters in 49 languages.
Look at all four domains, not only Overall. They show where to practice.
Keep reading and talking in your home language. Being bilingual is a strength. The Seal of Biliteracy can honor both languages later (see honors paths).
Know your rights. See NYSED's ELL Parent Bill of Rights.

For teachers

Instruction: keep the NYS ALDs and Next Generation ELA standards (WIDA's New York page; NYSED memo). Contact your RBERN for guidance.
Training: WIDA's New York page says coordinators and test administrators must complete the required courses, pass certification quizzes and recertify each school year.
2027 dates (WIDA New York page): WIDA AMS test setup Jan 4 - Apr 9 · materials arrive Jan 19-20 · testing Feb 1 - Apr 9 · paper materials postmarked by Apr 15 · pre-reporting data validation May 3-14 · report delivery to be announced.
Scale scores: WIDA reset scale scores in 2025-2026; earlier scale scores cannot be compared with new ones.
Accommodations: WIDA ACCESS Paper only when an IEP or 504 plan documents the need.

Questions people ask

Is WIDA ACCESS harder than the NYSESLAT?

They are different tests with different scales. NYSED says the same teaching that led to success on the NYSESLAT will lead to success on WIDA ACCESS.

My child scored Expanding on the NYSESLAT. What level is that on WIDA?

There is no published conversion that we found. Wait for the 2027 WIDA ACCESS report and ask the ENL teacher.

Will my child stop getting ENL because of the new test?

Not because of the change itself. Services depend on your child's status and NYSED rules. Ask the school how 2027 results will be used.

Official sources

If a link and this page ever disagree, the official page wins.

NYSED, WIDA Consortium and NYSED (Oct. 8, 2025): https://www.nysed.gov/bilingual-ed/news/wida-consortium-new-york-state-education-department (checked Nov 8, 2026)
NYSED memo, Joining the WIDA Consortium and New English Language Proficiency Assessments (Oct. 8, 2025): https://www.nysed.gov/sites/default/files/programs/state-assessment/ny-wida-consortium-elp-assessments.pdf (checked Nov 8, 2026)
WIDA, New York state page (dates, NY decisions, training): https://wida.wisc.edu/about/consortium/ny (checked Nov 8, 2026)
WIDA, Educators at the center of ACCESS standard setting (Oct. 12, 2026): https://wida.wisc.edu/news/educators-center-access-standard-setting (checked Nov 8, 2026)
WIDA, How Standard Setting Impacts 2026 WIDA ACCESS Scores (Apr. 2, 2026): https://wida.wisc.edu/news/how-standard-setting-impacts-2026-wida-access-scores (checked Nov 8, 2026)
WIDA ACCESS Interpretive Guide for Score Reports (spring 2026): https://wida.wisc.edu/sites/default/files/resource/Interpretive-Guide.pdf (checked Nov 8, 2026)
WIDA, ACCESS Scores and Reports: https://wida.wisc.edu/assess/access/scores-reports (checked Nov 8, 2026)
WIDA, ELD Standards Framework: https://wida.wisc.edu/teach/standards/eld (checked Nov 8, 2026)
WIDA, Can Do Descriptors: https://wida.wisc.edu/teach/can-do/descriptors (checked Nov 8, 2026)
WIDA, Speaking and Writing Interpretive Rubrics (level names 1-6): https://wida.wisc.edu/sites/default/files/resource/Speaking-Writing-Interpretive-Rubrics.pdf (checked Nov 8, 2026)
NYSED, NYSESLAT parent brochure (NYSESLAT level names): https://www.nysed.gov/sites/default/files/programs/bilingual-ed/nyseslatparentinfobrochure-english.pdf (checked Nov 8, 2026)
NYSED, Former ELL services (exit criteria; two years): https://www.nysed.gov/bilingual-ed/schools/former-english-language-learner-ell-services (checked Nov 8, 2026)
NYSED, ELL testing accommodations: https://www.nysed.gov/bilingual-ed/english-language-learner-and-multilingual-learner-assessment-testing-accommodations (checked Nov 8, 2026)
NYSED, ENL K-8 units of study table: https://www.nysed.gov/sites/default/files/programs/bilingual-ed/enl-k-8-units-of-study-table-5-6-15.pdf (checked Nov 8, 2026)
NYSED, ELL identification and the Home Language Questionnaire: https://www.nysed.gov/bilingual-ed/schools/ell-identification-placementhome-language-questionnaire (checked Nov 8, 2026)
NYSED, USDE approves exclusion of the ELP indicator based on 2026-2027 results (Sept. 25, 2026): https://www.nysed.gov/accountability/news/united-states-department-education-usde-approves-exclusion-english-language-0 (checked Nov 8, 2026)