The Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS) fulfills federal requirements for assessing the English language proficiency of English learners (ELs) in kindergarten through grade 12 in four language domains: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. TELPAS reports student performance in terms of four English language proficiency levels: beginning, intermediate, advanced, and advanced high. TELPAS results are used in accountability and performance-based monitoring indicators. The assessment components for grades K–1 and 2–12 include the following:

• Grades K–1 - Holistically rated observational assessments of listening, speaking, reading, and writing
• Grades 2-12: TELPAS includes online reading/writing and listening/speaking assessments.

Answers to online tests are submitted through the Student Interface of the Test Delivery System (TDS). Students' ratings from holistically rated assessments are submitted through the Data Entry Interface (DEI).

For holistically rated assessments, teachers are trained to use rating rubrics (proficiency level descriptors, PLDs) to determine the English language proficiency levels of students based on ongoing classroom observations and written student work.

Participation Requirements

All ELs in grades K–12 are required to participate in TELPAS, including students classified as limited English proficient (LEP) in the Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS) whose parents have declined bilingual or English as a second language (ESL) program services (PEIMS code C). ELs are required to be assessed annually until they meet bilingual or ESL program reclassification criteria.

There are rare circumstances in which a student may not be required to participate in one or more TELPAS language domains.

• Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) Decisions. In rare cases, an EL may be eligible to participate in the TELPAS Alternate assessment. Please refer to the TELPAS Alternate Program Highlights to review the eligibility requirements for TELPAS Alternate. If an EL does not meet the TELPAS Alternate eligibility requirements, it may be necessary for the ARD committee, in conjunction with the language proficiency assessment committee (LPAC), to determine that an EL receiving special education services should not be assessed in listening, speaking, reading, and writing for reasons associated with the student's particular disability. The reason for not assessing the student must be well supported and documented in the student’s individualized education program (IEP) by the ARD committee and in the student’s permanent record file by the LPAC.

• Newly Enrolled EL—Holistically Rated Domains. An EL from another school district, state, or country who enrolls on or after the first day of the TELPAS testing window will not be assessed by the receiving district in the holistically rated domains. However, a newly enrolled EL in grades 2–12 is required to take the TELPAS online tests.

Scheduling

For the 2022–2023 school year, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) will offer a six-week test administration window for TELPAS. Each district establishes a local schedule to administer the online tests and complete the holistic ratings during the assessment window indicated on the Student Assessment Testing Calendar. Each online test should be completed in one day unless the student has been approved for an extra day or becomes sick during testing.

    TELPAS and TELPAS Alt Assessment Window for 2022-2023 School Year:

   February 20, 2023 - March 31, 2023  TELPAS K-12 (Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing) & TELPAS ALT 2-12

Key TELPAS Practice and Test Dates at Kerr:

2023 Online Released TELPAS Assessments to Practice