WIDA ACCESS Exit Criteria by State (2026)
Each WIDA state sets its own WIDA ACCESS (formerly ACCESS for ELLs) score for exiting English learner services, also called reclassification or redesignation. WIDA provides the test; the state education agency decides the score a student needs, any extra requirements, and how long former English learners are monitored. This page compares the published criteria for 36 WIDA states.
Verified: July 2026 to October 2026 against each state's guidance. Criteria change annually; confirm with the state before making a decision.
Comparison table
Scores are on the WIDA ACCESS proficiency level scale (1.0 to 6.0). Select a state for grade rules, Alternate ACCESS, identification timelines, and sources.
| State | Overall composite | Other requirements | Monitoring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 4.8 | No other score minimum | 4 years |
| Alaska | 4.5 | No other score minimum | 4 years |
| Colorado | 4.0 | Literacy 4.0+; Other state requirements | 2 years |
| Delaware | 4.7 | No other score minimum | 2 years |
| District of Columbia | 4.5 | Kindergarten: 5.0 | 4 years |
| Florida | 4.0 | Reading 4.0+; Other state requirements | 2 years |
| Georgia | 5.0 | Kindergarten: 5.0; Review pathway from 4.3; Other state requirements | 2 years |
| Hawaii | 4.7 | Review pathway from 4.5; Other state requirements | 2 years |
| Idaho | None in most grades (kindergarten: 4.2) | Listening, reading, writing 3.5+; Speaking 1.0+ | 2 years |
| Illinois | 4.8 | No other score minimum | 4 years |
| Indiana | 5.0 | Review pathway from 4.3; Other state requirements | 2 years |
| Kentucky | 4.5 | No other score minimum | 4 years |
| Maine | 4.5 | No other score minimum | 2 years |
| Maryland | 4.5 | No other score minimum | 2 years |
| Massachusetts | 4.2 | Literacy 3.9+ | 4 years |
| Michigan | 4.8 | No other score minimum | 4 years |
| Minnesota | 4.5 | 3.5+ in 3 of 4 domains | 4 years |
| Missouri | 4.7 | Other state requirements | 2 years |
| Montana | 4.7 | Other state requirements | 4 years |
| Nevada | 4.5 | Review pathway from 4.0; Other state requirements | 4 years |
| New Hampshire | 4.5 | No other score minimum | 4 years |
| New Jersey | 4.5 | Other state requirements | 2 years |
| New Mexico | 4.7 | No other score minimum | 2 years |
| North Carolina | 4.5 | No other score minimum | 4 years |
| North Dakota | 4.5 | Each domain 3.5+; Other state requirements | 2 years |
| Oklahoma | 4.8 | Other state requirements | 4 years |
| Pennsylvania | 4.5 | Other state requirements | 2 years |
| Rhode Island | 4.8 | Other state requirements | 2 years |
| South Carolina | 4.4 | No other score minimum | 4 years |
| South Dakota | 5.0 | Review pathway from 4.0; Other state requirements | 4 years |
| Utah | 4.2 | Speaking 3.5+ | 4 years |
| Vermont | 5.0 | Kindergarten: different rule; Review pathway from 4.3; Other state requirements | 2 years |
| Virginia | 4.4 | No other score minimum | 2 years |
| Washington | 4.7 | Kindergarten and grade 1: 4.0; Review pathway from 4.3; Other state requirements | 2 years |
| Wisconsin | 5.0 | Review pathway from 4.5; Other state requirements | 2 years |
| Wyoming | 4.6 | Literacy 4.3+ | 4 years |
"Review pathway" means a student below the main bar may exit only after an extra state-defined review or evidence step. "Other state requirements" covers non-score steps such as observation forms, teacher rating forms, or state test results; see the state page.
Frequently asked questions
What ACCESS score does a student need to exit English learner services?
It depends on the state. Across the 36 WIDA states on this page, the overall composite required on WIDA ACCESS ranges from 4.0 to 5.0; 4.5 is the most common bar (12 states). Idaho uses domain score minimums instead of an overall composite in most grades. Many states add other requirements, so check the state's own page.
Do states use only the overall composite score?
No. 13 of the 36 states use the overall composite alone. The others add a literacy, domain or speaking minimum, a different rule for some grades, a review pathway below the main bar, or other evidence such as teacher observation forms or state test results. States that also require a literacy composite: Colorado, Massachusetts and Wyoming.
How long are students monitored after they exit?
States on this page monitor former English learners for 2 to 4 years. Federal guidance calls for at least two years of monitoring of former English learners' academic progress.
Can students who take WIDA Alternate ACCESS exit?
In most WIDA states, yes, under a separate rule on the Alternate ACCESS scale. 29 of the 36 states publish an Alternate ACCESS exit level on the current scale, often with an IEP team or other review. Illinois does not allow exit through Alternate ACCESS. The rest use scale scores, older labels, or have no published rule.
Does WIDA set the exit criteria?
No. WIDA provides the WIDA ACCESS assessment, but each state education agency sets its own exit and reclassification criteria, terminology, and monitoring rules. Districts make the final exit decision under state policy.
Do exit criteria change?
Yes. States can revise their criteria each year, and several have said their cut scores may change after the next ACCESS standard setting. Always confirm with the state's current guidance before making an exit decision.
States not listed
States that do not use WIDA ACCESS (for example California, Texas, Arizona and the ELPA21 states) are not listed, and neither is Tennessee, which moved from ACCESS to ELPA21 in 2025-26. New York begins ACCESS in spring 2027. See What is WIDA? for the full membership list.
Track exit criteria without the spreadsheet
Melaa is a tool for ML program staff. It checks each student's ACCESS scores against your state's numeric exit criteria and flags students who need a team review. The exit decision always stays with your district.
Melaa is not affiliated with or endorsed by WIDA or the University of Wisconsin. Exit criteria are set by each state education agency, not by WIDA or Melaa. This page summarizes public state policy for information only; it is not legal advice and does not replace your state's current guidance or your district's exit decision.