Texas Success Initiative
- Is the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) the same as the Texas Academic Skills Program (TASP)?
- What is the Texas Higher Education Assessment (THEA)?
- Do I have to take a Texas Success Initiative assessment test?
- Who can be Exempt?
- What happens if I do not pass all sections of a TSI assessment test?
Is the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) the same as the Texas Academic Skills Program (TASP)?
No, the TASP law has been repealed and replaced by a new program, the Texas Success Initiative (TSI). The TSI requires students to be assessed in reading, writing and math skills prior to enrolling in college, and to be advised based on the results of that assessment, but now each institution determines what to do with students who don't pass one or more parts of the test. Institutions have the flexibility to determine the best path for individual students to take to become college ready and to demonstrate that they are indeed ready for college-level courses. See the TSI general information page .
What is the Texas Higher Education Assessment (THEA)?
The THEA is one of the tests that can be administered to students to determine if they are college ready. There are other tests which can be taken in place of the THEA. For additional types of tests, see the TSI Approved Assessment Test paragraph.
Do I have to take a Texas Success Initiative assessment test?
You must take an approved TSI assessment test prior to enrolling in any Texas public college or university, unless you are exempt.
Who can be Exempt?
The following students are considered TSI Exempt and will not be required to take the test when the appropriate documentation is on file:
Composite score of 23 with a minimum score of 19 on the mathematics section and/or the English section. The exemption will be given for those sections only (i.e. you score a composite 23 and have a 23 in Math and an 18 in English - you would be exempt from the math portion ONLY of the TSI). Scores cannot be more than five years old and must be achieved in a single test session. DANTES ACT scores and RESIDUAL ACT scores CAN be used for TSI exemption purposes.
Combined score of 1070 (the combined includes ONLY the verbal/math score for tests taken prior to April 2004 or the critical reading/math score for tests taken since April 2004) with a minimum of 500 on the mathematics and/or verbal/reading tests. The exemption will be given for those sections only (i.e. you score a composite 1070 and have a 590 in Math and a 480 in the verbal - you would be exempt from the math portion ONLY of the TSI). Scores cannot be more than five years old and must be achieved in a single test session.
A minimum of 2200 on the mathematics section and/or a minimum of 2200 with a writing subscore of at least 3 in the English/Language Arts section of the EXIT-LEVEL exam. The exemption will be given for those corresponding sections only (i.e. you score a 2313 with a 4 sub-score on the English/Language Arts section and a 2199 on the Math section - you would be exempt from the Reading and Writing sections of the TSI).
Students must supply the writing sub-score to the admissions office as this score is not included on high school transcripts.
A student who has graduated with an associate or baccalaureate degree from an institution of higher education within the state of Texas.
A student who is currently serving and for at least the three-year period preceding enrollment, has served as a member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States. If you believe this exemption applies to you, please fill out the TSI Military Exemption Affidavit form.
A student who on or after Aug. 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. If you believe this exemption applies to you, please fill out the TSI Military Exemption Affidavit form.
A student who is serving on active duty as a member of the armed forces of the United States or the Texas National Guard. To receive the exemption from TSI, fill out the TSI Military Exemption Affidavit form. Active duty military members who are not residents of Texas may receive in-state tuition by filling out the Active Duty Military/Dependent Certification form. This form will remain in effect for as long as you remain continuously enrolled at Angelo State University for your current program. If you change programs (majors) or have a break in enrollment, you are required to submit a new form upon your return to the university.
What happens if I do not pass all sections of a TSI assessment test?
Students who fail the reading and/or writing section of the TSI assessment test will be required to be involved in developmental education, to the inclusion of English 130C. Additionally, students who have not passed the reading section of the TSI will not be allowed to enroll in any English, history or government classes.
Students who fail the mathematics section of the TSI will be required to enroll in Mathematics 130A initially and Mathematics 130B the following semester.
Additional information can be obtained at the THEA Web site.
