Assessments for Special Populations

The Texas Assessment Program is a statewide testing program that includes State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR^©), STAAR Alternate 2, Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS), and TELPAS Alternate. Each section below contains information and resources for assessing special populations.

Students Receiving Special Education Services

For students who receive special education services, students' admission, review, and dismissal (ARD) committees make educational decisions, including decisions related to state assessments, accommodations, and graduation requirements. 

• Students are required to take STAAR with or without allowable accommodations unless they meet participation requirements for STAAR Alternate 2.
• Emergent bilingual (EB) students are also required to take TELPAS (or TELPAS Alternate if they meet the participation requirements).

Students Receiving Services Under Section 504

Students with disabilities who receive services under section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 are required to:

• take STAAR with or without accommodations,
• meet assessment graduation requirements, and
• take TELPAS (or TELPAS Alternate if they meet the participation requirements) if they are an EB student.

Emergent Bilingual Students

EB students are required to:

• take STAAR with or without accommodations,
• meet assessment graduation requirements, and
• take TELPAS (or TELPAS Alternate if they meet the participation requirements).

For EB students who receive special education services or services under section 504, the language proficiency assessment committee (LPAC) is required to work in conjunction with the applicable committee to make and document assessment and accommodation decisions.

LPAC Resources

• September 2024 LPAC Decision Making Process
• LPAC Decisions Educator Guide (Updated 11/25/2024)
• LPAC Instructions for Years in U.S. Schools and Student History Worksheet
• LPAC Participation and Accommodations Form, Grades K–5
• LPAC Participation and Accommodations Form, Grades 6–12
• LPAC STAAR English I Special Provision Documentation Form
• Affirmation of Asylee/Refugee Status When Official Documents Delayed