Bilingual/ESL/Title III Updates

Local Education Agencies (LEAs) have been provided with flexibility in fulfilling the 2019-2020 bilingual education and English as a second language (ESL) summer school requirements for English learners (ELs) entering kindergarten and grade 1 (Texas Education Code Sec. 29.060; Texas Administrative Code §89.1250). Although 120 hours of instruction that are supplemental to the regular school day/year are still required, LEAs may choose to extend the summer school requirement by completing this supplemental program throughout the 2020-2021 school year. This document provides detailed guidance and answers to frequently asked questions for implementing EL summer school with the available adjustments. For general information on English Learners (ELs), including EL program services, Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS) Administration, and Language Proficiency Assessment Committee (LPAC) procedures, please see the English Learners Guidance FAQ located on the TEA Coronavirus webpage under Special Populations.

Visit the TEA COVID-10 Special Education and Special Populations webpage for Updated English Learner Guidance as of May 5th. New or updated questions are signified with a yellow tab next to the question.

This communication is to inform you of the following updates for the 2020 Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS) and TELPAS Alternate administrations.

New Reporting Dates for TELPAS and TELPAS Alternate

Due to the school closings related to COVID-19, the TELPAS and TELPAS Alternate registration and test administration windows are extended to May 29, 2020.

As a result of the window extension, reporting dates have also been extended. See the table below for all dates that have been adjusted.

For questions and assistance regarding the information in this communication, contact the Customer Service Center using the live chat feature, the Pearson Customer Support Form, or by calling 800-627-0225.

See TEA COVID-19 Special Education and Special Populations web page: TELPAS and LPAC Guidance and English Learner FAQ

• NEW! 2019-2020 End-of-Year (EOY) LPAC Guidance Checklist (fillable)
• UPDATED! 2019-2020 English Learner Reclassification Updated Criteria and Guidance
  • Updated Training Video: English Learner Reclassification 2019-2020 (April 2020)
  • Updated Training PowerPoint: English Learner Reclassification 2019-2020 (April 2020)
  • English Learner Reclassification Rubric (fillable PDF) for subjective teacher evaluation portion of reclassification criteria
  • NEW! English Learner Reclassification Rubric ALTERNATE (fillable PDF) for students with significant cognitive disabilities as part of the Individualized Reclassification Process

While our facilities are closed, we are still working remotely and monitoring all emails and calls. Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns. We are here to support you and will continue to communicate TEA updates as we receive new information.

Website: https://www.esc17.net/
Location: 1111 West Loop 289, Lubbock, TX, USA
Phone: 806-281-5858

TEA has created a Coronavirus Support & Guidance webpage. This will be your best resource for the most up-to-date, accurate information. I recommend visiting this webpage every day for the latest updates and resources. Additionally, TEA will be hosting a daily conference call with school superintendents in order to communicate the most up-to-date information.