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TEA Correspondence

A Microsoft Word version of this letter is available for download and PRINTING.

June 12, 2008

TO THE ADMINISTRATOR ADDRESSED:

Subject:  English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS)

The English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS) were approved by the State Board of Education on November 16, 2007.  These standards will replace the English as a Second Language Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (ESL TEKS) beginning in the 2008-2009 school year and may be found online at http://www.tea.state.tx.us/curriculum/biling/elps.html.

A number of professional development activities related to the ELPS are being developed:

  • A web portal designed to provide an administrative overview of the ELPS will be available August 2008.  The portal is being developed in partnership with the Region II Education Service Center (ESC).
  • The Region I ESC TESORO Project will incorporate the ELPS in the professional development entitled Building Connections in High School Content Areas through Sheltered Instruction.
  • Math for English language learners (MELL) will be incorporating the ELPS in the Math professional development which they are providing throughout the state.
  • The University of Texas-El Paso, through the Learning, Encouraging, And Planning to Uplift Performance (LEAP UP) project, has developed training on the imbedding of ELPS throughout the content areas, beginning with math.  Plans are being developed for a trainer of trainers’ professional development session via the Texas Education Telecommunications Network (TETN).
  • All ESC’s will conduct professional development in the fall of 2009 on the revised ELA TEKS, which will incorporate the ELPS.
  • Instructional materials incorporating the ELPS will be provided for all high school teachers in the fall of 2010.  Proclamation 2011 will provide instructional materials for Grades PreK-8 to be in schools for the fall of 2011.

Dates and other information pertinent to these professional development activities will be forthcoming.  If you have questions, please feel free to contact Georgina González, Director of Bilingual/ESL Curriculum, at (512) 463-9581.

Sincerely,

Sharon L. Jackson
Associate Commissioner
Standards and Programs

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