The Texas Success Initiative (TSI) is a program designed to determine if a student is ready for college-level course work in the general areas of reading, writing and mathematics. This program will also help determine what type of course or intervention will best meet the student's needs and to assist in becoming better prepared for college-level course work.
Beginning August 26, 2013, the new Texas Success Initiative (TSI) Assessment was enacted for all Texas public colleges and universities. Any new student who has not earned credit through college course work prior to 8/26/13 or met a state approved exemption is subject to the new TSI Assessment requirement. Previous TSI approved tests (Compass, Accuplacer, THEA, and Asset) are no longer accepted.
Exemptions
This activity includes the following:
Beginning August 26, 2013, the new Texas Success Initiative (TSI) Assessment was enacted for all Texas public colleges and universities. Any new student who has not earned credit through college course work prior to 8/26/13 or met a state approved exemption is subject to the new TSI Assessment requirement. Previous TSI approved tests (Compass, Accuplacer, THEA, and Asset) are no longer accepted.
Exemptions
- Student is exempt on the basis of SAT I scores (less than 5 years old) with a minimum qualifying score of 1070 composite, with 500 Critical Reading and 500 Math.
- Student is exempt on the basis of the ACT (less than 5 years old) with a minimum qualifying score of 23 composite, with 19 English and 19 Math.
- Student is exempt on the basis of high school exit level TAKS (less than 5 years old) with a minimum qualifying score of 2200 Math and 2200 English Language Arts with Writing sub-score of 3.
- Student is exempt on the basis of high school end of course STAAR (less than 5 years old) with a minimum qualifying score of level 2 English III and level 2 Algebra II.
- TSI exemption given by another Texas public institution. Official transcript must be on file to document exemption.
- Student has an associate degree or higher from a United States regionally accredited institution.
- Transfer student from a U.S. private or out-of-state regionally accredited institution with three or more credit level hours.
- A student who on or after August 1, 1990, was honorably discharged, retired, or released from active duty as a member of the armed forces of the United States or the Texas National Guard or service as a member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States. Must provide a copy of DD214 to document exemption.
- A student who is enrolled in a workforce certificate program of one year or less (42 or fewer semester credit hours or the equivalent)
- A non-degree-seeking student
- A student with an ACT Composite Score of 23 (or higher) are exempt from TSI Math with an ACT Math score of 19 (or higher) even though the ACT English may be less than 19. Students with an ACT Composite Score of 23 (or higher) are exempt from TSI Reading and TSI Writing with an ACT English score of 19 or higher, even though the math may be less than 19.
- A student with a SAT combined critical reading and math score of 1070 (or higher) are exempt from TSI Math with a SAT Math score of 500 (or higher) even though the SAT Critical Reading may be less than 500. Student with a combined critical reading and math score of 1070 (or higher) are exempt from TSI Reading and TSI Writing with a SAT Critical Reading score of 500 (or higher) even though the SAT Math may be less than 500.
- A student with a TAKS Math score of 2200 (or higher) are exempt from TSI Math. Students with a TAKS English Language Arts score of 2200 with a TAKS Writing sample of 3 exempts a student from TSI Reading and TSI Writing. The TAKS English Language Arts component is "all or nothing." In other words, a student with a TAKS English Language Arts score of 2200 with a TAKS Writing sample of 2 is NOT exempt from either TSI Reading nor TSI Writing.
- A student with a STAAR Algebra II score of level 2 are exempt from TSI Math. Students with a STAAR English III score of level 2 exempts a student from TSI Reading and TSI Writing.
All test scores must be documented on an official document (transcript). Faxes, student score reports, or Xerox copies are not considered official.
- A student who is enrolled in a Level I workforce certificate program of 42 or less (degree plan must be on file).
- A student who is currently serving on active duty as a member of the armed forces of the United States, the Texas National Guard, or as a member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States and has been serving for at least three years preceding enrollment.
This activity includes the following:
- An explanation of the importance of the TSI Assessment
- Practice test questions and feedback
- An explanation of your developmental education options, if the minimum passing standard is not met
- Information on campus and community resources to assist the student