• TELPAS ALT

    What is TELPAS Alternate?

    To understand TELPAS Alternate, you must first understand TELPAS. The letters in TELPAS stand for the Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System. TELPAS is an assessment program for students in Texas public schools who are learning the English language. TELPAS annually assesses the English language proficiency of students who have been identified as English learners (ELs) in four language domains—listening, speaking, reading, and writing. TELPAS Alternate is an assessment program for students who are learning the English language just like TELPAS. However, it is designed to assess ELs with the most significant cognitive disabilities who cannot participate in the general TELPAS assessment, even with allowable accommodations. As with TELPAS, TELPAS Alternate assesses the progress that ELs are making in learning English in the same four areas: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. However, TELPAS Alternate is not a traditional test in which students answer questions. Instead, teachers use their knowledge and observations of students to measure their ability to understand and use English to engage in academic and social learning environments.

    Who takes TELPAS Alternate?

    Students in grades 2–12 will be assessed with TELPAS Alternate if they are 

    • identified as limited English proficient (LEP/EL),
    • receiving special education services, and
    • identified with a significant cognitive disability.

    Participation requirements for TELPAS Alternate can be found on the TELPAS Alternate Resources webpage.

    English learners with disabilities in kindergarten and grade 1 will take TELPAS with or without accommodations.

    What do TELPAS Alternate results tell me about my child?

    The TELPAS Alternate Report Card provides results using five proficiency ratings — Awareness, Imitation, Early Independence, Developing Independence, Basic Fluency — to show the progress students make in learning English from year to year. For students to reach their full academic potential, it is important for them to make steady progress in learning English. Students who do not make steady progress may require additional assistance at school. For more information about the TELPAS Alternate Report Card, visit the Texas Assessment website.

    Read more at TELPAS Alternate Parent Brochure or TELPAS Alternate Parent Brochure (Spanish version)

    TEA Telpas Alt resource page

    TELPAS Alternate Resources | Texas Education Agency