Every January and February, a familiar rhythm returns to our schools. Boxes are packed. Routes are planned. And behind the scenes, a dedicated team works to ensure that thousands of students are ready for an important milestone in their learning journey.
This week, our English Language Development (ELD) team set out, FedEx gear on and ACCESS materials in hand, delivering assessments to school buildings across the district. It’s a moment that may seem logistical on the surface, but it represents preparation and belief in our students.
ACCESS testing is the annual English Language Proficiency assessment taken by our English Learners. Much like PSSAs, it measures student growth and learning. But ACCESS goes further by honoring the complexity of language development. It assesses listening, speaking, reading, and writing, while also capturing how students use English in Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. It recognizes that language is not learned in isolation, but through connection and classroom experiences.
These assessments help us understand where students are in their language development, celebrate the progress they have made, and ensure we continue to provide the right supports for future success. They also help guide important decisions about instruction and reclassification, always with the goal of helping students thrive academically and socially.
As ACCESS testing begins, we want our students to know that: you are supported. You are capable. And you belong here. This test is one moment in a much larger story.
To our ELD team, thank you for the coordination and commitment that make this possible. And to our students taking ACCESS this season, we are proud of you and wish you the very best. We are cheering you on every step of the way.