TELPAS Specialist

Position Details

• Reporting Manager: Supervisor, Emergent Bilingual Services
• Status: Salary, Exempt
• Type: Regular, Full-Time (12-Month)
• Program: Texas Virtual Schools

Overview

The TELPAS Specialist is responsible for overseeing all aspects of TELPAS (Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System) administration, compliance, and language assessment practices across the school district. This position ensures the accurate, timely assessment of English language proficiency for Emergent Bilingual (EB) students, provides targeted training to campus staff , and maintains strict district adherence to Texas Education Agency (TEA) guidelines.

Embodying our "School of One" approach, the TELPAS Specialist works collaboratively with administrators, campus testing coordinators, content teachers, and the Emergent Bilingual (EB) Team. The primary focus of this role is administrative oversight, assessment compliance, calibration management, and internal LPAC operational support.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• TELPAS Administration & TEA Compliance
  • Oversee district-wide planning, scheduling, and execution of the annual TELPAS and TELPAS Alternate assessments across all grade spans in alignment with TEA guidelines in conjunction with appropriate Assessment Team.
  • Design and facilitate required annual TELPAS administration training, holistic rating calibration, and security protocols for campus raters, and verifiers in conjunction with the appropriate Assessment Team.
  • Ensure absolute compliance with state and federal mandates governing Emergent Bilingual assessment, documentation, accommodations, and testing security with support and in conjunction with EB support staff.
  • Provide ongoing technical assistance and guidance to campus raters and writing collection verifiers to ensure fidelity, validity, and accuracy in language domain evaluations in conjunction with appropriate school personnel.
  • Plan and conduct informational sessions for families regarding EB classification, reclassification requirements, and TELPAS with support of appropriate EB staff.
• Internal LPAC & Operational Support
  • Provide administrative and technical support to internal Language Proficiency Assessment Committees (LPAC) by preparing assessment documentation, student testing histories, and rating rosters (role supports LPAC operations internally and does not serve as LPAC Chair/Lead).
  • Partner with campus teams to verify that designated testing accommodations used during TELPAS align with daily classroom Content-Based Language Instruction (CBLI).
  • Maintain audit-ready assessment files, security oaths, training logs, and rating documentation in accordance with state compliance mandates.
  • Train LPAC parents to oversee LPAC proceedings.
• EB Team Collaboration & Targeted Student Support
  • Partner with the Emergent Bilingual Supervisor and other EB support personnel to map TELPAS Proficiency Level Descriptors (PLDs) across Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing directly to classroom language targets and scaffolding frameworks.
  • Collaborate with the EB Data & Systems Support Specialist by ensuring accurate collection and entry of rating collections and assessment completion status, relying on the Data Specialist for advanced analytics and longitudinal data modeling.
  • Provide short-term, highly targeted language assessment support or direct proficiency screening to individual students only as necessary to establish accurate baseline placement or meet specific assessment window needs. Meet with students to have TELPAS Talks, informing students of their results and how to progress forward toward reclassification.
  • Proactively pivot to support emerging operational needs and strategic priorities directed by your manager.

Knowledge, Skills & Attributes

• A minimum of 4-6 years of successful experience working with Emergent Bilingual programs, with demonstrated expertise in TELPAS administration, rater calibration, and TEA compliance.
• Expert knowledge of the Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS), TELPAS Alternate, English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS), Proficiency Level Descriptors (PLDs), and state LPAC frameworks.
• Exceptional organizational skills with a strong ability to manage complex state testing timelines, audit documentation, and compliance verification processes.
• Proven experience working independently with minimal supervision, including the ability to manage a digital task list and maintain a stable remote (home-office) infrastructure.
• Minimum of 1–2 years of experience using the Google Workspace suite (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drive, Workspace) in a professional setting.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex ideas via written channels with high clarity and low ambiguity.
• Access to a private, reliable, and secure high-speed internet connection with a minimum of 25 Mbps download and 10 Mbps upload speeds.
• Demonstrated alignment with Stellar Virtual's core values: prioritizing student-centered decisions, operating with intentional purpose, and creating an environment where team members feel respected and valued for who they are.

Education & Certification Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required (Master's degree in Education, Assessment, or Educational Leadership preferred).
• Must possess a valid Texas Education Agency (TEA) teaching certificate.
• Must hold an English as a Second Language (ESL Supplemental 154) or Bilingual Education certification.

Benefits & Incentives (Full-Time Only)

• Competitive vacation and paid time off plans
• Comprehensive medical (HMO, HDHP, and PPO), dental, and vision plans with varying coverage for employees and their families, with options available in all states, including a high-deductible health plan (HDHP) option.
• 401(k) retirement plan (pre- and post-tax options) with matching contribution up to 3% after one year of employment
• Additional supplemental disability, life, critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident, legal aid, and ID theft protection plans
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Two paid closure weeks each year (weeks of July 4 and December 25)
• 11 Company-paid Holidays

Employment "At-Will" Statement: For W-2 employment, Stellar Virtual is an at-will employer. This means the employee and Stellar Virtual can terminate the employment at any time, with or without cause or notice, as legally permitted. This job description does not guarantee continued employment or a contract. All 1099 status is excluded.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO): Stellar Virtual is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. All qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.