English Language Proficiency Standards

In: Curriculum and Instruction

Curriculum Standards and Student Support Division

Phone:
(512) 463-9581

Background

The State Board of Education (SBOE) has authority for the review and adoption of the English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS). SBOE members nominate individuals to serve on the review work groups. The SBOE initially began the review and revision process for the ELPS in 2019. The ELPS review was paused in 2020 and resumed in 2023. This page provides information regarding the review and revision of the ELPS.

ELPS, Adopted 2024 

The SBOE approved in September 2024 new ELPS for kindergarten–grade 12. The new ELPS available in 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Chapter 120, Subchapter B, will be implemented in classrooms beginning with the 2026–2027 school year. The following document reflects the new ELPS approved by the SBOE. The ELPS includes two sections: student expectations and proficiency level descriptors. In the new ELPS, proficiency level descriptors are hyperlinked in the rule text as figures (Kindergarten–Grade 3: Figure 19 TAC §120.20(e)(2) and Grades 4–12: Figure 19 TAC §120.21(e)(2)).

19 TAC Chapter 120, Subchapter B, English Language Proficiency Standards, Approved by the SBOE 

ELPS Review Process

  • Amendments Considered by the SBOE at Second Reading 

    Amendments considered by the SBOE in September 2024 for second reading and final adoption of proposed new 19 TAC, Chapter 120, Other Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, Subchapter B, English Language Proficiency Standards, are provided in the document below.

    19 TAC Chapter 120, Subchapter B, English Language Proficiency Standards, Approved by Committee of the Full Board

     

    Final Recommendations, June 2024

    In May and June 2024, TEA convened ELPS review work groups to review feedback and finalize their recommendations. To view work group final recommendations, click on the item to download the PDF. The SBOE considered proposed new ELPS for first reading and filing authorization at its June 2024 meeting.

     

    Draft Recommendations, March 2024

    In fall 2023, TEA convened ELPS review work groups to review and develop recommendations for revision to the ELPS writers’ draft. To view work group draft recommendations, click on the item to download the PDF. 

     

    ELPS Review Writing Group

    After convening a series of work groups in 2019, TEA identified a group of experts in language acquisition from Texas institutions of higher education and an education service center to complete recommendations for revisions to the ELPS.

    For a list of the ELPS writers with their biographies, click on the link below.
    •    ELPS Writers' Biographies (PDF, 114KB)

    The SBOE was presented with the writers’ draft for proposed revisions to the ELPS for discussion at the June 2023 SBOE meeting. The writers' recommendations included separating the ELPS into the following two grade bands: kindergarten–grade 3 and grades 4–12. To view the ELPS writers' drafts, click on the item to download the PDF. 
    •    ELPS Writers' Draft Kindergarten–Grade 3 (PDF, 5,501KB)
    •    ELPS Writers' Draft Grades 4–12 (PDF, 3,085KB)

     

  • Work Groups

    The SBOE's review and revisions process called for multiple, separate work groups. The following links include individuals appointed by the SBOE to serve on the ELPS review work groups in 2019 and their drafts.

    ELPS Review Work Group Drafts

    Work Group D

    Work Group D developed recommendations for revising the cross-curricular second language acquisition essential knowledge and skills (student expectations or SEs) for each of the four domains. The work group agreed with recommendations from Work Group A and integrated SEs from the current learning strategies section into the domain the SE best fit within. 

    Work Group C

    TEA distributed a survey to collect feedback on the two proficiency level descriptor (PLD) models proposed by Work Group B. The next group, Work Group C, reviewed the proposed models and survey results and

    • recommended expanding the current PLDs from four levels to five levels;
    • made suggestions for new labels for each of the five levels; and
    • identified key concepts for each of the four domains of language (listening, speaking reading, and writing).

    For grade bands, Work Group C recommended maintaining the current organization for the PLDs:

    • one set of PLDs for the listening and speaking domains (kindergarten–grade 12) and
    • two grade bands for the reading and writing domains (kindergarten–grade 1 and grades 2–12).  

    The Work Group C recommendations document outlines the five proficiency levels and includes sample PLDs for one concept in each domain. For the reading and writing domains, which are proposed to have two grade bands, the document includes sample PLDs for each grade band. Click on the item to download the PDF.

    Work Group B

    Work Group B reviewed current research related to language acquisition and proficiency level descriptor models from other states/entities. The work group proposed two options for expanding the number of levels for the PLDs but did not reach consensus on a final model. The work group proposed two options for expanding the number of levels for the PLDs but did not reach consensus on a final model. Click on the item to download the PDF.

    Work Group A

    Work Group A completed a summary of issues and recommendations for future work groups based on results of the English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS) survey. Work Group A's draft is provided below. Click on the item below to download the PDF.