TEA accessibility policies may apply to any student taking STAAR or TELPAS depending on his or her needs and whether or not the student meets the eligibility criteria, if applicable. These policies are divided into three main categories: Accessibility Features, Designated Supports, and Designated Supports Requiring TEA Approval. Within each category are links to policy documents that provide more specific information. See TEA’s Accommodation Resources page for more information. 

The State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR®) Alternate 2 fulfills federal requirements of both the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). ESSA requires that all students be assessed in specific grades and subjects throughout their academic career, whereas IDEA requires that students with disabilities have access to the same standards as their non-disabled peers and be included in statewide assessments. For complete details, see TEA’s  STAAR Alternate 2 Resources page.

STAAR Spanish is available in grades 3-5 in reading, writing, mathematics, and science. STAAR Spanish is administered to eligible students for whom a Spanish version of STAAR is the most appropriate measure of their academic progress. STAAR Spanish tests are grade-level assessments and test the same grades and subjects as the general STAAR. For additional information see TEA’s STAAR Spanish Resources page.

TEA designed the Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS) and TELPAS Alternate to assess the progress that limited English proficient (LEP) students, also referred to as English learners (ELs), make in learning the English language. To view all English learner (EL) resources, visit the EL webpage. 

For information regarding State of Texas Accommodation Policies and Procedures, see TEA’s Assessment Resources for Students and Parents, call the Student Assessment Division at 512-463-9536 or email assessment.studentswithdisabilities@tea.texas.gov or ell.tests@tea.texas.gov.

Special Education