TEA designed the  Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS) and TELPAS Alternate to assess the progress that emergent bilingual (EB) students make in learning the English language. The TELPAS Alternate assessment meets the federal requirement mandated under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which requires states to administer an alternate English language proficiency assessment for EB students with the most significant cognitive disabilities who cannot participate in the general ELP assessment, even with allowable accommodations.  

To view all EB resources related to state assessments, visit the EB students webpage. For assistance on the implementation of state and federal guidance regarding program services for EB students, visit the English Learner Support Division webpage.

TELPAS

• All K-12 Emergent Bilingual (EB) students  are required to participate in TELPAS, including students with parental denials (coded WH)​. 

• All K–12 students classified as emergent bilingual EB/EL in the Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS) are required to participate in TELPAS, including those who have parents who have declined bilingual/English as a Second Language (ESL) program services​

TELPAS Alt

• EB Students in grades 2-12 who have significant cognitive disabilities and who are in the process of acquiring English proficiency in listening, speaking, reading and writing. 
• Students that have one or more disabilities that significantly limit their intellectual functioning, as shown by their ability to plan, comprehend and reason and their adaptive behavior, as shown by their ability to apply social and practical skills. 

TELPAS Online Practice Test

For the latest updates on the summative training offerings above, please consult the CTC Open Forum.

TELPAS/TELPAS Alt Padlet

TELPAS/TELPAS Alt Canvas Course

TELPAS Resources

TELPAS Educator Guide

TELPAS Test Administrator Manual

TELPAS Rater Manual

TELPAS Grades 2-12 Paper and Holistic Test Administration Information

TELPAS Proficiency Level Descriptors

TELPAS Student Rating Roster

TELPAS Writing Collection

TELPAS Speaking and Writing Scoring Process

TELPAS Alternate Resources

TELPAS Alternate Participation Requirements

TELPAS Alternate Manual

TELPAS Alternate Observable Behaviors Inventory

TELPAS Alternate Proficiency Level Descriptors

• Workshop Resources 

• Forms
• TEA Testing Calendar
• Years in US Schools Flow Chart
• Updating and Verifying Years in US Schools
• TELPAS Reading Special Paper Request
• TELPAS Medical Exclusion
• Esubmission Taskcard

FAQs