Florida WIDA ACCESS Exit Criteria (2026)

To exit English Language Learner (ELL) status in Florida, a student needs an overall composite of 4.0 or higher and 4.0 or higher in reading on WIDA ACCESS, and the state sets additional requirements or review pathways described below.

Verified: October 2026. Exit criteria change annually; confirm with the Florida education agency before making a decision.

WIDA ACCESS (formerly ACCESS for ELLs) exit criteria

An overall composite of 4.0 or higher
4.0 or higher in reading

Other state requirements: The reading score of 4.0 applies at every grade, kindergarten included; students in grades 3 to 12 also need a passing score on the state English Language Arts test or an approved alternative, and a school committee may also decide a student is ready to exit.

WIDA Alternate ACCESS

Overall proficiency level on WIDA Alternate ACCESS, by grade band: grades K-5: 2; grades 6-8: 3; grades 9-12: 4.

The score alone is not the whole rule: the state sets additional requirements, such as a team decision, documentation or another assessment. See the state source below.

Confirm the current Alternate ACCESS criterion with the state before acting on it.

Alternate ACCESS levels are on that assessment's own scale and are not comparable to WIDA ACCESS levels.

Monitoring after exit

2 years after exit. Federal guidance calls for districts to monitor former English learners' academic progress for at least two years; some states set a longer period.

Identification timeline

Within 20 school days of enrollment, at the start of the school year or mid-year.

State terminology

Florida uses the term English Language Learner (ELL). Program name used in state guidance: ESOL.

Sources

Verified October 2026. States revise their criteria, and the state's current guidance always takes precedence over this summary.

Frequently asked questions

What ACCESS score is needed to exit ELL status in Florida?

Does Florida require more than the overall ACCESS score?

Yes. Students also need 4.0 or higher in reading. The reading score of 4.0 applies at every grade, kindergarten included; students in grades 3 to 12 also need a passing score on the state English Language Arts test or an approved alternative, and a school committee may also decide a student is ready to exit.

Can students who take WIDA Alternate ACCESS exit in Florida?

Overall proficiency level on WIDA Alternate ACCESS, by grade band: grades K-5: 2; grades 6-8: 3; grades 9-12: 4. The score alone is not the whole rule: the state sets additional requirements, such as a team decision, documentation or another assessment. See the state source below. Confirm the current Alternate ACCESS criterion with the state before acting on it. Alternate ACCESS levels are on that assessment's own scale and are not comparable to WIDA ACCESS levels.

How long are former ELLs monitored in Florida?

Florida monitors students for 2 years after exit. Federal guidance calls for districts to monitor former English learners' academic progress for at least two years; some states set a longer period.

How quickly must Florida schools identify ELLs?

Within 20 school days of enrollment, at the start of the school year or mid-year. Confirm the timeline with the state's current guidance.

Compare other states

See all WIDA states in one comparison table

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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.

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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.

Melaa is operated by IncluSend LLC, which is licensed to use the WIDA CAN DO Descriptors, Key Uses Edition under an agreement with WCEPS, the authorized licensor of WIDA materials. WIDA is a trademark of the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System. The WIDA CAN DO Descriptors, Key Uses Edition are © Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System and are used under license. This application of WIDA materials has not been evaluated by WIDA, and Melaa is not endorsed by or affiliated with the WIDA Consortium or the University of Wisconsin. The WIDA CAN DO Descriptors work in conjunction with WIDA Performance Definitions of the English language proficiency standards. The Performance Definitions use three criteria (1. Linguistic complexity; 2. Vocabulary usage; and 3. Language control) to describe the increasing quality and quantity of students' language processing and use across the levels of language proficiency.