TELPAS

What is TELPAS?

The Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS) is the system Texas uses to assess language acquisition for limited English proficient (LEP) students.

What does TELPAS assess, exactly?

The TEKS are the standards the state uses to measure content knowledge and set learning goals. The TEKS are assessed by STAAR assessments. In the same way, TELPAS assesses the English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS).

What are the ELPS?

The ELPS state what students in all grade levels should know and be able to do in the four language domains (listening, speaking, reading, writing) at the four levels of language acquisition (beginning, intermediate, advanced, advanced high). Chapter 74 of the Texas Administrative Code states that "school districts shall implement [the ELPS] as an integral part of each subject in the required curriculum." In other words, all teachers in all content areas are responsible for setting language objectives for instruction as well as content objectives, and for designing instruction to meet the needs of and increase the language proficiency of LEP students.

This concise, highly informative Powerpoint has some great answers and info about ELLs, ESL, TELPAS and the ELPS. Making the ELPS-TELPAS Connection

Who is involved in TELPAS?

English, math, science and social studies teachers collect writing samples in class from students during the collection window. All LEP students (those who participate in the ESL program and who are parent denials, but not monitored students) participate in TELPAS. Each student has a designated TELPAS rater, one of the student's teachers who rates that student in listening, speaking and writing, using rubrics provided by the state. All students take a reading test on the computer.

What do students write about?

The district provides prompts for each content area, and teachers can submit their own prompts to Teaching & Learning for approval. Writing samples must be at least one page in length. Sample collection pages will be provided to teachers at the start of the collection window. Prompts will be posted on the ARRC prior to the collection window.

**TELPAS 2016 Timeline**

You may also refer to our Calendar page if you'd like to add these events to your Google Calendar.

1/11/16--Online verifier training opens (verifiers only)

1/25/16--Online basic rater training opens (raters only)

2/8/16-2/12/16--Core teachers will be emailed a list of their LEP students.

2/15/16--Rater calibration (afternoon of Staff Development)

2/16/16-3/9/16--Writing sample collection window. March 9th is the last day to turn in writing samples for your students.

3/21/16-3/30/16--Rating window. Raters must have samples rated and turned in by March 30th.

3/22/16--TELPAS reading test

To learn more about TELPAS, please visit the "TELPAS Resources from TEA" page under our "Resources" tab, or email Amanda Bass.