The 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 testing requirements. Texas assesses English language learners (ELLs) annually in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Students learning the English language begin participating in TELPAS in kindergarten and stop participating when their language proficiency assessment committee (LPAC) determines that they are proficient in the English language.

Kindergarten to First Grade

For students in Kindergarten through Grade 1, TELPAS consists of holistically-rated assessments in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The holistically-rated assessments use classroom observations to measure students' progress in listening, speaking, and writing in English.

Grades 2-12

For students in grades 2-12, TELPAS has multiple-choice reading tests and holistically rated assessments in listening, speaking, and writing. TELPAS assesses the progress that students are making in learning English. The multiple-choice reading test is a one-day test that measures students' annual progress in learning to read in English. The assessments of listening, speaking, and writing are based on classroom observations and a collection of the student's writing.

Texas Education Agency-TELPAS Resources