Dear Parents and Guardians,

Beginning February 1st, our school will be conducting a state-required assessment for English Language Learners.  This assessment is called ACCESS and provides important feedback about the progress of our English Language Learners in Reading, Speaking, Listening, and Writing.   Students will take the test using our school’s computers.  Only students who are currently identified as members of the English Language Learners (ELL) Program will be assessed.  Most of the assessments will be completed during the first few weeks of February but some may continue into March.  

More information about the ACCESS assessment can be found on the Alaska Department of Education and Early Childhood Development’s ACCESS page, http://education.alaska.gov/assessments/elp.

For ASD Virtual families with ELL students, our school has designated (TBA) to administer ACCESS testing for your child or children. If you are unable to bring your child or children to our school site for testing due to your family’s health and safety concerns, please complete the district survey linked here to indicate your intention to refuse ACCESS testing this spring. Your responses will be forwarded to our school to help with planning. 

 If you have any questions about this test, you are encouraged to contact us here at Trailside (907-742-5500).  You may also contact the District’s ELL Department at 742-4452.  Information about the English Language Learners Program in the Anchorage School District can be found on ASD’s website.

As always, with testing, we ask that families plan so that their students are in school and are well-rested for testing.  Your patience and support for this process is very much appreciated as this assessment does provide useful information that helps our district and school improve programs for English Language Learners.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Jones 

Principal