Making the ELPS-TELPAS Connection - Grades K-12 Overview - 2016-2017

Oct 2, 2026

Slides prepared by the Texas Education Agency Student Assessment Division explain how the Texas English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS) connect to the Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS). The presentation defines ELPS, TELPAS, and TELPAS raters, outlines how ELPS supports K–12 instruction while TELPAS measures annual progress, and summarizes who participates. It details assessment approaches, including online multiple-choice reading, holistic ratings for listening, speaking, and writing, and rubric-based evaluation of overall academic English proficiency.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages49

Reading Time2 h 3 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Purpose

Definitions

ELPS

TELPAS

TELPAS raters

Nuts and Bolts

Language domains and proficiency levels

Who Takes TELPAS

Annual assessment and exceptional cases

Assessment Approaches

Online reading assessment

Holistic rating process

Rubrics-based evaluation

Making the ELPS-TELPAS Connection Grades K–12 Overview 2016-2017 Texas Education Agency Student Assessment Division . Disclaimer 􀂃 These slides have been prepared by the Student Assessment Division of the Texas Education Agency. 􀂃 If any slide is amended or revised for local use, please remove the TEA footer at the bottom of the slide. Introduction 1. To show the close connection between the Texas English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS) and the Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS) 2. To reinforce the benefits of using the ELPS to teach and assess English language learners (ELLs) effectively throughout the school year 3. To lay the foundation for the spring training of new TELPAS raters TEA 4 Definitions • What are the ELPS? Federally required instructional standards designed to ensure that ELLs are taught the academic English they need for school purposes • What is TELPAS? A federally required assessment program designed to measure the annual progress that ELLs make in learning the English language • What are TELPAS raters? Teachers trained to assess ELLs for TELPAS Nuts and Bolts • The ELPS are used in foundation and enrichment instruction of K–12 ELLs. • TELPAS assesses K–12 ELLs . The ELPS and TELPAS encompass – 4 language domains – Listening – Speaking – Reading – Writing 4 proficiency levels – Beginning – Intermediate – Advanced – Advanced High Who Takes TELPAS All ELLs in grades K–12, including those whose parents decline bilingual/ESL program services, are assessed annually. In extremely rare cases, an ELL served by special education may not be required to participate in one or more TELPAS language domains by theARD committee in conjunction with the LPAC. TEA 8 Assessment Approaches 􀂃 TELPAS uses an online multiple-choice test to assess 􀂾 2–12 reading 􀂃 TELPAS uses a holistic rating process and classroom performance to assess 􀂾 K–12 listening, speaking, and writing 􀂾 K–1 reading Holistic Rating Process 􀂾 A direct and authentic way to assess English language proficiency 􀂾 Rubrics-based process of evaluating abilities as a whole rather than as skills in isolation 􀂾 Focuses on overall ability of students to understand and use English in grade-level academic settings 􀂾 Teacher-conducted and used in ongoing quality instruction and formative assessment 􀂾 Used for official summative TELPAS assessment in spring of TEA 10

FAQs

What is the relationship between ELPS and TELPAS in grades K–12?

The ELPS provide federally required instructional standards to teach academic English to ELLs, while TELPAS is a federally required assessment that measures annual progress. Together they support instruction and evaluation across the school year.

Who are TELPAS raters and how are they involved?

TELPAS raters are teachers trained to assess ELLs for TELPAS. They use holistic rating processes and classroom performance to evaluate listening, speaking, and writing.

How does TELPAS assess different language domains?

TELPAS uses an online multiple-choice test to assess reading (2–12). For listening, speaking, and writing (and K–1 reading), it uses a holistic rating process based on rubrics and students’ classroom performance.

Oct 2, 2026

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