Some ML students may qualify for testing accommodations based on their most current WIDA ACCESS for ELLs, WIDA Alternate ACCESS or WIDA Screener scores. These accommodations may be used on local assessments and the state End-of-Grade and End-of-Course tests.

Accommodations must be assigned according to the individual student’s needs and the ML team’s or committee’s input. The ESL teacher will meet with the classroom teacher, and together, they will make recommendations for testing accommodations for the student. Parents are notified in writing of the recommendations. If the parent/guardian disagrees with any recommendations, they may contact the school to speak with the ESL teacher, regular classroom teacher, or the testing coordinator.
If the testing accommodations are refused, the child will take the EOG/EOC without accommodations.

The ML team or committee should consider the following specific student background characteristics when determining accommodations:

the student’s current level of English proficiency
the level of previous schooling in the student’s home language
the amount of schooling and instruction the student has received in US schools

The following accommodations approved for use by the Annual Testing Program will result in valid test scores for ML students when taking North Carolina-developed tests:

Multiple Testing Sessions
Scheduled Extended Time
Student Reads Test Aloud to Self
Test Read Aloud (in English) (Use of this accommodation during the administration of a state test that measures reading comprehension invalidates the results of the test.)
Testing in a Separate Room
Word-to-Word Bilingual (English/Native Language) Dictionary/Electronic Translator

As illustrated in the table below, students who score below Level 5.0 Bridging on the reading domain of the WIDA Screener or ACCESS for ELLs are eligible to receive state-approved ML testing accommodations on all state tests. Students who score Level 5.0 Bridging or above on the reading domain of the WIDA Screener, ACCESS for ELLs, or exit ML status must participate in all state tests without accommodations (SBE policy TEST-011).

TABLE 1. Eligibility criteria for EL testing accommodations

Identifying ELs /MLs

Who participates in the English as a Second Language (ESL) program?- Becoming a Multilingual Learner (ML)

How does the school system know what my child's first language is?

How does the ESL teacher assess my child's level of English proficiency?

Why are the WIDA Screener, WIDA ACCESS for ELLs, and WIDA Alternate ACCESS used for ESL testing?

What are the different levels of English language proficiency?

How does the ESL teacher use the WIDA Screener and ACCESS for ELLs results?

How can I talk with the ESL Teacher?

What kinds of services will my child receive as part of the ESL program?

What if I do not want my child to participate in the ESL program?

When is my child no longer eligible to participate in the ESL program?

For how long will my child stay in the ESL Program?

What is a Monitored Former Multilingual Learner (MFML)?

What if my child is coming from another state?

What types of testing accommodations are available to ML students?

What if there are additional questions or more information is needed?