TELPAS Alternate FAQs

Students in grades 2–12 who have been identified as emergent bilingual (EB), receiving special education services, and identified with a significant cognitive disability and meet the participation requirements.

In grades K–1, TELPAS Alternate includes teacher evaluations of students in listening, speaking, reading, and writing based on ongoing classroom observations and student interactions. In grades 2–12, TELPAS Alternate includes online listening and speaking tests and reading and writing tests. The online TELPAS Alternate tests are designed to measure a student’s ability to listen, speak, read, and write in English as the student is learning the English language. To see sample test questions go to the Practice and Released Tests page.

A student will no longer need to take TELPAS Alternate when their language proficiency assessment committee (LPAC) determines that they are proficient in the English language and have met the state’s EB reclassification criteria. This applies to all EB students, even those who are not participating in a bilingual or ESL program. Once a student has met the state’s reclassification criteria and is reclassified, they will no longer be identified as an EB student and will not have to participate in TELPAS Alternate. Information about the state’s reclassification criteria can be found at Bilingual and English as a Second Language Education Programs.

Accommodations that are used in the classroom and are indicated in a student’s individualized education program (IEP) are allowed on TELPAS Alternate.

TELPAS Alternate uses five proficiency ratings — Awareness, Imitation, Early Independence, Developing Independence, Basic Fluency — 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.

For assistance with or questions about any assessment program, please contact the Student Assessment Division of the Texas Education Agency using the Student Assessment Help Desk or by calling (512) 463-9536.