1387 students will take the ACCESS test this year.
Students identified as English Language Learners need to take the test every year until they get a score of 4.8. Last year, 60 students got a score of 4.8 or higher. The majority of students who were tested last year showed growth, though. Those students that do not “score out” must take it until they graduate. The last time students must take it is their senior year. ACCESS tests are not administered in college.
Students take the ACCESS test in kindergarten through 12th grade, so the ages usually range from about 5 to 18 years old. Any student identified as an English Learner takes the test each year until they show full English proficiency. In Illinois high schools, the ACCESS test is taken by students who are identified as English Learners (ELs) — that means they are learning English in addition to their native language.
These EL students in grades 9–12 must take the ACCESS for ELLs test every year to measure their English language proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Schools are required by state and federal rules to test all identified English Learners until they reach a level of English proficiency that lets them exit the EL program. Students who are not identified as English Learners do not take the ACCESS test in high school.
Students have different opinions about the ACCESS test.
“ACCESS testing helps me understand some problems I’ve never understood before, and I feel like it improves my speaking and writing. I’ve heard that some students don’t really like taking the ACCESS test because it’s a ‘waste of time’ and that ‘there’s no reason to be taking this ACCESS test,’” said Dayami Zavala, senior of Morton East.
Another student shared their opinion as well.
“I think ACCESS testing is important because it shows how much a student’s English has improved. It also helps teachers know what support students need,” said Jaqueline Bravo, senior of Morton East.
Also, we talked to a Morton East teacher.
“It’s interesting to see the data and what it shows about student growth. I like seeing my students improve and to watch their hard work pay off and see their confidence grow,” said teacher Ms. Erin Nash.
