TELPAS Alternate
Resources
The Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS) Alternate is a holistic inventory aligned to the Texas English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPs); however, TELPAS Alternate is based on alternate proficiency level descriptors. This assessment is designed to address the specific access needs of emergent bilingual (EB) students in grades 2–12 with the most significant cognitive disabilities. TELPAS Alternate fulfills the requirements of the federal Every Student Succeeds Act for assessing the English language proficiency of EB students with the most significant cognitive disabilities.
TELPAS Alternate holistically assesses EB students in grades 2–12 in listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
- TELPAS Alternate Educator Guide (Updated 09/25/2025)
Who Is Tested?
An EB student's admission, review, and dismissal (ARD) committee, in conjunction with the language proficiency assessment committee (LPAC), must determine if the student meets the participation requirements for TELPAS Alternate. All EB students enrolled in Texas public schools and open-enrollment charter schools in grades 2–12 who meet the participation requirements are required to participate in TELPAS Alternate. EB students are required to be assessed annually with an English language proficiency assessment until they meet EB reclassification criteria.
If an ARD committee determines that a student meets the eligibility criteria for "No Authentic Academic Response" (NAAR) or a "Medical Exception," the student will not be required to participate in TELPAS Alternate.
- STAAR Alternate 2 and TELPAS Alternate NAAR Eligibility Requirements
- STAAR Alternate 2 and TELPAS Alternate NAAR Eligibility Requirements-Spanish
- STAAR Alternate 2 and TELPAS Alternate Medical Exception Eligibility Requirements
- STAAR Alternate 2 and TELPAS Alternate Medical Exception Eligibility Requirements-Spanish
What Is Tested?
- TELPAS Alternate Observable Behaviors
- Observable Behaviors with Classroom Examples
- TELPAS Alternate Blueprints
- TELPAS Alternate Glossary
What Is Reported?
- Proficiency Standards
- Statewide Summary Reports
- Raw Score Conversion Tables
- 2023 Frequency Distribution
What Other Information Is Available?
Test Administration
- District and Campus Coordinator Resources
- TELPAS Alternate Test Administrator Manual (Updated 10/20/2025)
- TELPAS Alternate Proficiency Level Descriptors
Training
TELPAS Alternate Transition-Year Holistic Inventory (2026–2027 and 2027–2028)
In the fall of 2024, the Texas State Board of Education (SBOE) adopted new English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS). These new standards will become effective in classrooms in the 2026–2027 school year. As a result of the changes to the ELPS, the Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS) Alternate will transition to a new assessment.
Before the new assessment is implemented, a transition-year holistic inventory will be used during the 2026–2027 and 2027–2028 school years to measure the English language proficiency of emergent bilingual (EB) students with the most significant cognitive disabilities.
During the transition period, the current alternate proficiency levels will continue to be used for the purpose of assessment. In addition, TELPAS Alternate will follow the assessment blueprints currently in place. The transition-year holistic assessment will only include observable behaviors aligned to standards where there is an overlap between the current and the new ELPS.
The draft Observable Behaviors Inventory for the transition years is linked below.
- Grades 2–12 Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing (Updated 11/14/2025)
Student Assessment Division
For questions about the Texas assessment Program, click the Help Desk icon below.
