1. Tennessee English Language Placement Assessment (TELPA)
Testing Information
Overview
And
Q&A

2. TELPA and ELDA
The TELPA is a placement test designed and based upon the full English Language Development Assessment’s (ELDA) battery of tests. It is designed to allow schools to place students, based on their acquisition of English language proficiency skills, into classrooms and services best suited for their current level of acquisition. The TELPA has four operational forms designed for differing levels of academic and developmental language. Thus, there is one test form for each of the following grade clusters:
K-2, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12.

3. List of K-2 TELPA Materials
K-2 Student Test Booklets – delivered in packs of 10 shrink wrapped with 10 K-2 Student Record Forms (Answer Sheets)
K-2 Student Test Booklets = Red
K-2 Student Record Forms = Red
K-2 Test Administration Manual – delivered in packs of 10 shrink wrapped

4. List of 3-12 TELPA Materials
3-12 Student Test Booklets – delivered in packs of 10 shrink wrapped with 10 Student Record Forms (Answer Sheets)
Grades 3-5 = (Green Test Booklets)
Grades 6-8 = (Blue Test Booklets)
Grades 9-12 = (Purple Test Booklets)

5. 3-12 TELPA Supplemental Materials
3-12 Speaking Scoring guide – 1 for every 10 pack of test booklets
3-5 Writing Scoring guide – 1 for every 10 pack of test booklets
6-8 Writing Scoring guide – 1 for every 10 pack of test booklets
9-12 Writing Scoring guide – 1 for every 10 pack of test booklets
3-12 Audio CD – 1 for every 10 pack of test booklets
3-12 Test Administration Manual – 1 for every 10 pack of test booklets

6. TELPA / ELDA Helpline Questions / Track an Order
(888) or

7. Security Concerns and Procedures
District and State procedures must be followed at all times
Ensure the security of test booklets and supplemental materials when not in use
During assessment administration, a test administrator must be present at all times
Testing Ratios

8. Student-Teacher Ratio
We recommend the TELPA (all grades K-12) be administered as a one on one assessment. However, if you need to assess any part in a group this is our recommendation.
Grades 3-12 Reading, Writing, and Listening
10 students : 1 Teacher/Test Administrator
All other sections, all other grade levels must be assessed with a 1:1 ratio.

9. Grades K-2 TELPA Test Items By Section
Cluster
# of Items
Listening
Speaking
Reading
Writing
K-2 21 8 16 10
Item type varies with regard to K-2. There are traditional multiple choice items where the students are asked to choose the correct answer to a question. There are items that require they draw, walk, clap hands, point to an object, etc. The overall goal was to make these young students feel as comfortable as possible in this “test” setting. The idea being that the student is engaged in the tasks presented to them not unlike having a story read to them, reading a story themselves, and completing activities in an age appropriate workbook (coloring book, rainy day activity book, etc.)

10. Grades 3-12 TELPA Test Items and Times By Section (approximate)
Cluster
Times
Listening
Speaking
Reading
Writing
3-12
10 minutes
12 minutes
minutes
15 – 20 minutes
# of Items
8 MC (multiple choice)
8 items*
(scored by the teacher or test administrator)
8 MC
8 MC 2 OR (OR = open response)

11. Speaking Items 8 Open-ended oral items or tasks*
2 Items for each of four levels
Connect
Tell
Expand
Reason

12. Materials Needed for TELPA K-2
One Student Test Booklet
One Student Scoring Record – for Teacher Use Only
One Test Administration Manual – for Teacher Use Only
Sharpened No. 2 Pencils
4 Crayons (red, blue, yellow, and green)
A pen for general test administration use

13. Materials Needed for TELPA 3-12
One Test Booklet (appropriate grade level for student being tested)
One Writing Scoring Guide – for Teacher Use Only (appropriate grade level for student being tested)
One Test Administration Manual – for Teacher Use Only
One Speaking Scoring Guide – for Teacher Use Only
One Student Record Form (Answer Sheet)
One Prompt CD
CD Player
Sharpened No. 2 Pencils

14. Recommendations for Best Practice and Assessment Preparation
Whenever possible the TELPA should be administered as a one on one assessment.
Read through administration materials in advance of testing – especially the scripted administration directions.
Check CD player volume and quality of the CD
Make sure the assessment setting has appropriate seating for the student, plenty of work space for their test booklet, and it is free from outside noise and interference.

15. Clarifications
We received questions regarding TELPA via the ELDA Help system. We will address these questions in the next few slides to provide you with valuable information and perhaps address questions you may have.

16. K-2 Administration Manual
It is important to completely read through the K-2 manual and the K-2 student booklet prior to assessing any K-2 students.
K-2 Listening item #21 – three pictures of the girl’s (Anna’s) face. Either negative picture would be acceptable as a correct answer.
K-2 Operational Placement Table (page 45)

17. 3-5 Writing Scoring Guide
3-5 “Time of Day” prompt Score Point 3 examples G8, G9, and G10
Rangefinding committees for previous ELDA prompts similar to this one and for this specific prompt, opened the possibilities for definition of “time of day.”
Well written responses from students that address it in a broad manner (Summer days) are to be considered on topic.
General Writing Note: If the lines in the Writing section of the Student Record form are not sufficient, you may provide blank paper for students.

18. 3-12 Speaking Scoring Guide
References the 8 items or tasks as 1-8. The Speaking section of the Student Record Form (answer sheet) lists the items as 9-16.

19. 3-12 Student Record Form and Test Booklet Directions
The 3-12 student record form (answer sheet) is only front (page 1) and back (page 2).
Reading directions in the 3-12 test booklets direct students to fill in the circle for each answer on page 2 of the answer sheet. The Reading section is on the front (page 1).
Writing Part 2 directions in the 3-12 test booklets direct students to write their answers on page 3 of the answer sheet. That should be done on the back (page 2) of the student record form.
*You may correct these page number directions for the students in advance of administering the assessment.

20. 3-12 Administration Manuals
We found and were alerted to inconsistencies in the 3-12 manual. We will be providing an updated manual in the next few weeks. Continue to use the manuals you currently have on hand. The next few slides we will detail the inconsistencies so you may hand correct your copies.

21. 3-12 Administration Manuals
Ignore or cross out any references to returning materials, barcodes, students taking notes in their test booklets, and tape recorders.
The top of page 21 should read “Look at Sample 2.”

22. Q & A
We will distribute this PPT and the Q & A results at a later time (on or before 8/12).
After today any TELPA questions can be directed to the ELDA Helpline
(888) or
Thank You