ELD Department News
Keeping you in the know!
IMPORTANT: New Maximum Number of Testers in ALL Feeders
Please review the WIDA by Feeder charts for your school. Due to the number of issues we have had with DRC, we have adjusted the maximum number of testers at each site to open more windows for testing. This will allow you to continue ACCESS 2.0 throughout the testing window.
Smooth(er) Sailing! ACCESS 2.0 Lessons
As we progress through the ACCESS 2.0 window, we have learned many lessons. Here are a few of the most common problems, and what to do if you encounter them!
- You receive a message saying the student's data is on the TSM and the test is stopped/stuck/paused. Please know this is usually very temporary. It means that WIDA AMS is saving responses, and it needs a moment to catch up. If this window appears, and does not disappear quickly, please have the student pause the session (if this option is available). You may need to log out and then log back in. If the student is unable to log back in in a few minutes, please submit a Help Desk Ticket.
- You receive a message saying the student's test is locked. Please submit a Help Desk Ticket. Either Kelly Kirkpatrick or I will contact the state to unlock the test. CDE spends time each morning unlocking the tests that are locked, and they respond very quickly when we submit a request. Please do not contact them - we will do this for all schools. **Tests are "locked" if the student does not complete the assessment on the same day they began the assessment.
- In order to proceed to the next domain, students must complete the entire domain they are taking. If students run out of time, have them quickly finish. CDE has adjusted this message.
- You are unable to log in to WIDA-AMS: Please be sure to use Firefox when in WIDA-AMS. This is now the recommended browser. You may also need to clear your cookies!
Please DO NOT contact CDE or IT directly - we will do that for you.
Please do think about feedback you would like me, WIDA, DRC, or the state to hear. I will be collecting positive and negative feedback once the window closes and you have time to reflect.
Finally, thank you for your commitment to assess only during your assigned window. In general, all servers have been active and productive.
Professional Development Opportunities: Saturday, February 6, 2016
The Department of Personalized Learning will be offering sessions of select courses on Saturday 2/6/16 at Cresthill Middle School. Use this link to view courses, times, and registration links. Courses are not eligible for PGI credit. If you plan to participate in this professional development opportunity, please register for courses as soon as possible.