WIDA ACCESS Placement Test (W-APT)
What is the purpose of the W-APT?
W-APT stands for the WIDA-ACCESS Placement Test. It is an English language proficiency “screener” test
given to incoming students with any home language other than English. The W-APT serves two main
purposes:
 To identify students who are LEP;
 To determine the academic English language proficiency level of newly enrolled students to
determine the appropriate level of instructional services;
Students are tested in four language domains: Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing in English.
How do I know if my child is eligible for ESL services?
The criteria identified below helps us to determine whether your child is eligible for ESL services.
W-APT Identification Criteria for Students with a Home Language other than English
Kindergarten W-APT
Oral Score
(Maximum 30)
Reading Score
(Maximum 15)
Writing Score
(Maximum 18)
Kindergarten 1st Semester
0 – 28
Not applicable
Not applicable
Kindergarten 2nd Semester and
Grade 1 1st Semester
0 – 28
0 - 10
0 - 12
W-APT
Adjusted Overall Composite Proficiency Level
(Score ranges from Level 1 to Level 6)
2nd Semester Grade 1 to
Grade 12
Level 1 - 5
What if my child is eligible for ESL services, but I don’t want ESL services for my child?
If the child is eligible for ESL services and his/her parents do not want ESL services for the child, the
parent can choose to waive ESL services for the child. When the parent waives ESL services for the child,
the child will not receive ESL services but the child is still required by the state to take the ACCESS for
ELL every year, to monitor their progress of English Language development until the child shows that
he/she is English proficient.
What do I need to think about if I am considering waiving ESL services for my child?
Research shows that language support provided by ESL services is important for students to develop
their English language proficiency level. Here is a summary of what research has found:
 Most EL students are able to acquire social language in English (Basic Interpersonal
Conversational Skills) in about two years.
 Academic English (Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency) is the language needed to succeed in
school and pass standardized tests. It can take seven to ten years to acquire academic English
because of the specific vocabulary needed for each content area.
Without the language development support provided in ESL classes, students are at the serious risk of
low academic achievement:
 It will take longer for the student to develop English language proficiency.


Students may not be able to understand grade level content and could receive poor grades.
Students may become frustrated and are at much greater risk for dropping out of school.
ESL service is highly recommended for the child to develop academic language, which is essential for
success in school.