TELPAS Resources (Please click the bullets to take you to TEA Resources)

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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.

General Information

Use the link below to access information about TELPAS and TELPAS Alternate:

TELPAS and TELPAS Alternate Educator Guide (updated 11/16/20)

TELPAS Training for 2020–2021

Use the links below to access presentations and other documents that can be used for training:

• TELPAS Rater Manual (PDF posted 10/20/20)

• TELPAS Test Administrator Manual (PDF updated 10/23/20)

Introductory Training PowerPoints

Use the links below to access rater training presentations:

• Making the ELPS-TELPAS Connection Grades K–12 Overview (PPT updated 08/20/20)

• Making the ELPS-TELPAS Connection Grades K–12 Overview (PDF updated 08/20/20)

• Introductory Training on the PLDs Grades K–1 (PPT updated 08/20/20)

• Introductory Training on the PLDs Grades K–1 (PDF updated 08/20/20)

• Introductory Training on the PLDs Grades 2–12 (PPT updated 08/20/20)

• Introductory Training on the PLDs Grades 2–12 (PDF updated 08/20/20)

• Grades 2–12 Writing Collection Overview (PPT updated 09/04/20)

• Grades 2–12 Writing Collection Overview (PDF updated 09/04/20)

Other Rater Training Resources

Use the links below to access other rating training resources:

• 2020–2021 Holistic Rating Training Requirements (PPT updated 08/20/20)

• 2020–2021 Holistic Rating Training Requirements (PDF updated 08/20/20)

• Proficiency Level Descriptors

• Glossary of Terms Used in TELPAS Holistic Rating Training

• Annotated Examples of Student Writing (PDF)

TELPAS Reading, Listening, and Speaking

Use the links below to access the TELPAS test blueprints and speaking rubrics.

• TELPAS Grade 2 Reading Blueprint (PDF)

• TELPAS Grade 3 Reading Blueprint (PDF)

• TELPAS Grades 4-5 Reading Blueprint (PDF)

• TELPAS Grades 6-7 Reading Blueprint (PDF)

• TELPAS Grades 8-9 Reading Blueprint (PDF)

• TELPAS Grades 10-12 Reading Blueprint (PDF)

• TELPAS Grades 2-12 Listening and Speaking Blueprint (PDF)

• TELPAS Two-Point Speaking Rubric (PDF)

• TELPAS Four-Point Speaking Rubric (PDF)

• TELPAS Four-Point Speaking Rubric (PDF, large format)

TELPAS Parent Resources

Use the following links to access parent resources:

• TELPAS FAQs for Parents– English (PDF posted on 12/8/20)

• TELPAS FAQs for Parents– Spanish (PDF posted on 12/8/20)

• TELPAS Parent Tips- English (PDF posted 02/06/19)

• TELPAS Parent Tips- Spanish (PDF posted 02/06/19)

Technical Resources

The links below contain technical resources:

• TELPAS Standard-Setting Technical Report

• TELPAS Validity Evidence Based on the Consequences of Testing (Proficiency-Level Trends)

Additional Resources

The links below contain additional resources for EL assessments:

• TETN Schedule

• EL Resources

• TELPAS and TELPAS Alternate Spring Updates (PPT posted 02/07/20)

• TELPAS and TELPAS Alternate Spring Updates (PDF posted 02/07/20)

• 2019–2020 TELPAS Update (PDF posted 10/21/19)

• 2019–2020 TELPAS Update (PPT posted 10/21/19)

• Grades 2–12 Listening & Speaking Plans (PDF posted 05/19/16)

• Title III Symposium TELPAS and TELPAS Alternate (PPT posted 8/13/19)

• Title III Symposium TELPAS and TELPAS Alternate (PDF posted 8/13/19)

• Title III Symposium Writing in the Content Areas and TELPAS (PPT posted 08/09/17)

• Title III Symposium Writing in the Content Areas and TELPAS (PDF posted 08/09/17)

Related Webpages

The links below contain general information related to state assessments:

• TELPAS Speaking Scoring Guides

• Conversion Tables

• Released Tests

• Student Tutorials and Practice Tests

• Statewide Test Results

• Test Administration Manuals

• District and Campus Coordinator Resources

TELPAS Alternate Resources

Student Assessment Home | Assessment A–Z Directory | Contact Student Assessment | TELPAS

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.

TEA has developed the TELPAS Alternate assessment to meet the federal requirements mandated under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which requires states to administer an alternate English language proficiency (ELP) assessment for English learners (ELs) with the most significant cognitive disabilities who cannot participate in the general ELP assessment, even with allowable accommodations.

General Information

Use the link below to access information about TELPAS Alternate.

TELPAS and TELPAS Alternate Educator Guide (Posted 11/16/20)

TELPAS Alternate Blueprints and Proficiency Levels

Use the following links to access the TELPAS Alternate Blueprints and Proficiency Levels Resources.

• TELPAS Alternate Blueprints (PDF posted 10/22/20)

• TELPAS Alternate Proficiency Levels and Definitions (PDF posted 10/22/20)

• TELPAS Alternate PLDs (PDF updated 01/02/19)

TELPAS Alternate Resources

Use the links to below to access Documentation Forms and Instructional Resources.

Documentation Forms

Use the links to below to access the Participation, NAAR, and Medical Exception forms.

• 2020–2021 TELPAS Alternate Participation Requirements (English PDF posted 10/22/20 )

• 2020–2021 TELPAS Alternate Participation Requirements (Spanish PDF posted 10/29/20)

• STAAR Alternate 2 and TELPAS Alternate Medical Exception Eligibility Requirements (English PDF posted 10/14/20)

• STAAR Alternate 2 and TELPAS Alternate Medical Exception Eligibility Requirements (Spanish PDF posted 10/29/20)

• STAAR Alternate 2 and TELPAS Alternate No Authentic Academic Response (NAAR) Eligibility Requirements (English PDF posted 10/22/20)

• STAAR Alternate 2 and TELPAS Alternate No Authentic Academic Response (NAAR) Eligibility Requirements (Spanish PDF posted 10/29/20)

Instructional Resources

Use the links below to access the glossary and Observable Behaviors (notes version and electronic version).

• TELPAS Alternate Observable Behaviors (electronic version) (external link provided on 10/22/20)

• TELPAS Alternate Observable Behaviors (notes version) (PDF posted 10/22/20)

• 2021 TELPAS Alternate Glossary (PDF posted 12/07/20)

TELPAS Alternate Training Resources

Use the links below to access training resources.

• TELPAS Alternate Test Administrator Manual (PDF posted 10/27/20)

• Introduction to TELPAS Alternate (PPT posted 10/22/20)

• Introduction to TELPAS Alternate (PDF posted 10/22/20)

• TELPAS Alternate Student Eligibility (PPT posted 10/22/20)

• TELPAS Alternate Student Eligibility (PDF posted 10/22/20)

• TELPAS Alternate Accessibility (PPT coming soon)

• TELPAS Alternate Accessibility (PDF coming soon)

• TELPAS Alternate Listening Domain (PPT posted 10/22/20)

• TELPAS Alternate Listening Domain (PDF posted 10/22/20)

• TELPAS Alternate Speaking Domain (PPT posted 10/22/20)

• TELPAS Alternate Speaking Domain (PDF posted 10/22/20)

• TELPAS Alternate Reading Domain (PPT posted 10/22/20)

• TELPAS Alternate Reading Domain (PDF posted 10/22/20)

• TELPAS Alternate Writing Domain (PPT posted 10/22/20)

• TELPAS Alternate Writing Domain (PDF posted 10/22/20)

• TELPAS Alternate Test Administration (PPT posted 10/22/20)

• TELPAS Alternate Test Administration (PDF posted 10/22/20)

Use the link below to access the accessible version of the Observable Behaviors and Classroom Examples included in the four domains (Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing) training PowerPoints above.

• TELPAS Alternate Observable Behaviors and Classroom Examples (Accessible) (PDF posted 10/22/20)

TELPAS Alternate Parent Resources

Use the following links to access parent resources.

• TELPAS Alternate Parent Brochure (English PDF posted 10/22/20)

• TELPAS Alternate Parent Brochure (Spanish PDF posted 10/22/20)

Additional Resources

The links below contain additional resources for EL assessments.

• EL Resources

• TETN and Webinar Schedule

LAS Links Placement Test

The LAS Links Placement Test is designed for schools and districts to support initial identification and placement in instructional programs for newly enrolled students. It is designed to complement LAS Links and provides a screening tool for qualified school personnel to administer, score, and interpret results for the placement of students in appropriate English Language Learner programs.

The test is structured around the four major language domains of speaking, listening, reading, and writing, with a balance of constructed-response and multiple-choice items. A combination of tasks allows for an easy way to screen students’ basic level of English proficiency. The LAS Links Placement Test considers that students coming into classrooms faced with higher language demands to participate in instruction. The test is based on three dimensions of language proficiency: conversational fluency (communicative language), discrete English skills (specific aspects of English linguistic knowledge), and academic language.

The tasks included in these short tests were carefully selected to evaluate the following skills:

• Social: Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills (BICS) includes intercultural and instructional communication. BICS are language skills needed in social situations. This day-to-day language is needed to interact socially with other people. English Language Learners employ BIC skills when they are on the playground, in the lunch room, on the school bus, at parties, playing sports and talking on the telephone. Social interactions are usually context embedded. They occur in a meaningful social context. They are not very demanding cognitively. The language required is not specialized.

• Academic: Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency (CALP) refers to formal academic learning. This includes listening, speaking, reading, and writing about subject area content material. This level of language learning is essential for students to succeed in school. Students need time and support to become proficient in academic areas. Academic language acquisition is not limited to the understanding of content area vocabulary also includes skills such as comparing, classifying, synthesizing, evaluating, and inferring. Academic language tasks are context reduced. Information is read from a textbook or presented by the teacher. As a student gets older the context of academic tasks becomes more and more reduced.

• The LAS Links Placement Test enables your program to:

  • Quickly and easily test for initial placement of K-12 students

  • Align with College and Career Readiness Standards (CCRS)

  • Assess speaking, listening, reading, and writing

  • Administer with paper/pencil

  • Complete assessments in just 30 minutes

  • NOTE: Results correspond with LAS Links Forms C and D and Español B