In-person, standardized testing is already starting in school districts around the country for English Learners. Only the US Department of Education can issue a waiver for the WIDA ACCESS test for the 2020-2021 school year. As it stands, the WIDA ACCESS test must be given to English Learners in-person with no remote option available. It is imperative that the US Department of Education protect English Learners and their families now by issuing a federal waiver for WIDA ACCESS testing this school year.

It is widely known that the Covid-19 Pandemic is disproportionately impacting communities of color and immigrant communities, both of which include most English Learners. Bringing in even small groups of English learners for a high-stakes assessment puts our most vulnerable populations at risk. Now more than ever, localities and individual families need the autonomy to make informed decisions about standardized testing in order to protect the health and safety of themselves and their communities. ESL teachers are experts who are clearly able to provide necessary data on student progress that can be used in lieu of the WIDA ACCESS score. For districts that have opted to remain virtual, in-person WIDA ACCESS testing would cause a disruption to students’ already irregular school routines, as well as cause them to lose important instructional time with their language teachers while they are administering the test. Securing a federal waiver to allow school districts to opt out of testing this year is the only way to ensure the continued safety of our students, staff and communities.