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Madison Metropolitan School District

English as a Second Language (ESL)

Eligibility for ESL Services:

  • Students who speak language(s) other than, or in addition to, English
  • Have language(s) other than, or in addition to, English spoken in their household
  • Private/parochial students who qualify for and will participate in ESL services should complete the MMSD enrollment paperwork.

The initial English Language Proficiency exam, sometimes referred to as the "language screener" is administered upon enrollment and should be completed by the 3rd Friday count each September.  The W-APT is used by private/parochials schools served by MMSD as the initial language screening exam.

The ACCESS exam is an annual English Language Proficiency assessment that English Language Learners will complete during the MMSD testing window (generally December-February).  The results are shared with both parents and school staff in May. For more information, please visit the World-Class Instructional Design and  Assessment (WIDA) website, where you can also find the W-APT Score Calculator.


WIDA's Can Do Descriptors

The WIDA Can Do Descriptors are commonly used by ESL teachers in coaching general education teachers about differentiated instruction for English language learners (ELLs). They can also be used to plan lessons or observe students' progress.  (Taken from the WIDA website)

The Can Do Descriptors can also be distributed with ACCESS for ELLs or WIDA MODEL score reports to help give teachers a basic overview of what the Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing proficiency level results indicate about their students' abilities.  (Taken from the WIDA website)

English Language Learner Plan External Evaluation - August 5, 2019 Update

Community Feedback of ELL Plan Evaluation - Please give your feedback 

Hmong Community Feedback of ELL Plan Evaluation - Please give your feedback