TELPAS

Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System

Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS) is an assessment program for students in Texas public schools who are learning the English language. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) developed TELPAS to meet state and federal requirements. 

Texas annually assesses the English language proficiency of students who have been identified as Emergent Bilinguals (EBs) in four language domains—listening, speaking, reading and writing. TELPAS evaluates the progress that each EB makes in becoming proficient in the use of academic English.

Assessment of TELPAS Language Domains

In grades K-1, TELPAS includes holistically-rated listening, speaking, reading, and writing assessments based on ongoing classroom observations and student interactions. For each language area assessed, teachers use specific language proficiency guidelines to determine whether your child is at the beginning, intermediate, advanced or advanced high stage of learning English. The proficiency guidelines take into account that young children do not all learn to read and write at the same rate. Students who are not yet at the stage of reading or writing in any language are evaluated on how well they use English in prereading and prewriting activities.

In grades 2-12, TELPAS includes online reading, listening, speaking, and writing. The TELPAS online tests are designed especially for students who do not speak English as their first language. These tests are made up of test questions that span a full range of English ability. While the beginning level reading selections and questions include very common English words and many pictures, the advanced and advanced high reading selections and questions require a near-native understanding of English. Once students reach a proficiency rating of advanced high on the test, they have little difficulty understanding what they read in class and on state assessments of academic skills. The results in listening, speaking and writing indicate how well students understand and use English during academic instruction.

TELPAS Results

Every student who participates in TELPAS receives a report card with their test results. TELPAS uses four proficiency ratings—Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced, and Advanced High—to show the progress students make in learning English from year to year. For students to reach their full academic potential, it is important for them to make steady progress in learning English. Your child’s proficiency ratings in listening, speaking, reading, and writing will give you a good idea about the progress he or she is making. Students who do not make steady progress may require additional assistance at school. Find a brief description of each proficiency rating.

English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS)

The ELPS are second language acquisition curriculum standards that support the ability of EBs to learn the academic English they need for meaningful engagement in subject-area instruction. The ELPS are found in TEC 74.4. Every teacher who has an EB in class is responsible for fulfilling the requirements of the subject-area TEKS and the ELPS.

TELPAS Accommodations

Accommodations are provided for students served through Special Education, 504, and MTSS. In addition, TEA has also developed an alternate English language proficiency assessment, referred to as TELPAS Alternate, for EBs that have significant cognitive disabilities.

Academic Language Proficiency vs. Academic Achievement

Academic language proficiency is not the same as academic achievement. English language learners who have academic language proficiency understand the English that makes the learning of academic concepts and skills fully accessible. Academic language proficiency, therefore, provides the foundation for and access to academic achievement. Language proficiency encompasses both social language proficiency and academic language proficiency.

How to Access Your Student’s Results

For students in grades 3 and above:

  1. Log on to Home Access Center at hac.friscoisd.org/homeaccess

    • Parents should use their ID (ex. first initial.middle initial.lastname) 

    • Students should use their lunch ID

  2. Once logged in, select the “Grades” tab at the top of the screen

  3. Under the “Texas Test Scores” tab, select the appropriate link. You will automatically be logged into the Texas Student Portal and be able to access your student’s results. 

Email Support
If you are having difficulty accessing your student’s STAAR results, email isregistration@friscoisd.org. Provide your student’s first and last name, student ID and a detailed message about the problem you are having and someone will contact you. Please allow three business days for a response.