What is TELPAS/TELPAS ALT? 

TELPAS is an assessment program for students in Texas public schools who are learning the English language. The letters in TELPAS stand for the Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System. The Texas Education Agency developed TELPAS to meet state and federal requirements. Texas 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 evaluates the progress that each EL makes in becoming proficient in the use of academic English.

Who takes TELPAS? 

Students in grades K-12 that have been identified as an EL are required to take TELPAS. This includes ELs whose parents have declined bilingual or English as a Second Language (ESL) program services. They will stop participating in TELPAS when their language proficiency assessment committee (LPAC) determines that they are proficient in the English language and have met exit criteria. This applies to all ELs even those who are not in a bilingual or ESL program. Once a student has met the state’s exit criteria, they will no longer be identified as an EL and will not have to participate in TELPAS. Information about the state’s reclassification (exit) criteria can be found at https://tea.texas.gov/bilingual/esl/education/.

Who takes TELPAS ALT? 

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.

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

What do TELPAS/ TELPAS ALT results tell me about my child?

Every student who participates in TELPAS receives a report card with their test results. TELPAS uses four proficiency ratings—Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced, and Advanced High—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. Your child’s proficiency ratings in listening, speaking, reading, and writing will give you a good idea about the progress he or she is making. Students who do not make steady progress may require additional assistance at school.

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.