Abstract
The study evaluates factors impeding the growth of the Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS) and provides crucial insights for academic advancement among English Learners (ELs) within a Texas district. Employing a mixed methods approach, the research integrates quantitative data from STAAR and TELPAS scores with qualitative insights from interviews and surveys, offering a comprehensive understanding of ELs’ academic challenges and successes. A significant improvement in STAAR reading performance from 2021 to 2023 was observed. However, TELPAS scores remained stable, indicating that improvements in reading proficiency did not fully translate into overall language proficiency gains required for reclassification. This discrepancy highlights the need for balanced instructional strategies addressing content-specific skills and comprehensive language development (Texas Education Agency, 2023d). Qualitative data identified critical barriers such as the TELPAS assessment environment, perceived test difficulties, and misalignment between curriculum and language acquisition principles. Participants emphasized the importance of professional development, targeted interventions, and greater administrative involvement to support ELs effectively. Project-Based Learning (PBL) emerged as a beneficial approach, promoting contextual learning and personalized attention for ELs (Gilliland, 2023). The findings align with existing literature on the positive impact of evidence-based instructional practices on EL academic performance while highlighting unique challenges like the TELPAS platform’s complexity. Recommendations include enhancing curriculum alignment with language acquisition principles, providing ongoing professional development, addressing TELPAS platform issues, and increasing administrative support, which hold great potential for improving ELs’ language proficiency.
Date of publication
Summer 7-2024
Document Type
Dissertation (Local Only Access)
Language
english
Persistent identifier
http://hdl.handle.net/10950/4740
Recommended Citation
De La Sierra, Blanca I., "AN EVALUATION OF FACTORS IMPEDING GROWTH ON TELPAS AND INSIGHTS FOR ACADEMIC ADVANCEMENT" (2024). Education Theses and Dissertations. Paper 27.
http://hdl.handle.net/10950/4740