Student Handbook and Catalog 2021-22 V2

College Catalog and Student Handbook | 37
Texas Success Initiative (TSI)
Requirements
In the Fall 2013 semester, the Texas Success Initiative
(TSI) established college readiness standards for incoming
students who have declared a certificate level II or
associate degree program (42 hours or more) and are not
otherwise exempt from testing. The TSI Assessment 2.0
(TSIA2) is designed to help higher education institutions
determine if students are ready for college-level
coursework in the general areas of English Language Arts,
Reading and Math. If the student does not meet testing
requirements, the assessment will also help with student
placement in courses that will aid in the preparation
of student skills for college-level classes. For the latest
exemptions please visit the Testing Center website.
TSI Advisement
Students who do not meet TSI standards must meet
with the identified enrollment coaches at each campus.
Enrollment coaches will work with students to establish
an individualized Academic Success Plan. The Academic
Success Plan is developed for each individual student
according to the specific needs of the student and may
include enrollment in developmental courses, tutorials,
laboratories and/or other non-course-based activities
to prepare the student for college-level coursework. The
Plan will specify the appropriate measure for determining
a student’s college readiness. Academic Success Plans
may include provisions for students to retake the TSIA2,
subject to availability. For a list of identified enrollment
coach(es) please visit the Enrollment Center in the Portal.
TSI Test Standards
The following table provides the minimum passing scores
on the TSI Assessment taken August 26, 2013 to January
10, 2021.
Reading: 351
Writing: Essay Score of 5 or higher; or Essay Score of 4 and
Multiple-Choice of 340 or higher
Math: 350
The following table provides the minimum passing scores
on the TSI Assessment 2.0 (TSIA2) taken January 11, 2021
or after.
ELAR: Essay Score of 5 or higher and Multiple-Choice of
945 or higher; or Essay Score of 5 or higher and Multiple-
Choice of 910-944 and Diagnostic Score of 5 or higher
Math: 950 or higher; or 910-949 and Diagnostic Score of 6
TSI Testing Schedule
The TSIA2 and Pre-Assessment Activity are administered
at the Testing Center. Check with the Testing Center for
specific dates and times at each campus. The TSIA2 and
Pre-Assessment Activity are computer-based and can only
be offered in a paper format for those with documented
disabilities. For special accommodations, students are
encouraged to make arrangements at least two weeks
prior to test date. Please be advised that late requests
will be considered, but cannot be guaranteed. For more
information please contact the Access and Learning
Accommodations Office at your campus.
Exemptions from TSI Requirements
1. Students who meet the score standards for ACT, SAT,
STAAR, TAKS or TAAS tests may be exempt in a specific
skill area if the tests have been taken within the
approved time frame. Students must provide official
scores to the Testing Center prior to enrollment
in order to qualify for this exemption. For a list of
qualifying scores please visit the Testing Center
website.
2. A student who has graduated with an associate or
baccalaureate degree from an institution of higher
education.
3. A student who transfers to an institution from a
private or independent institution of higher education
or an accredited out-of-state institution of higher
education and who has satisfactorily completed
college-level coursework as determined by the
receiving institution.
4. A student who has previously attended any institution
and has been determined to have met readiness
standards by that institution. For students meeting
non-algebra-intensive readiness standards in
mathematics as defined in §4.59(d)(1)(B) of title
19 part (relating to Determination of Readiness
to Perform Entry-Level Freshman Coursework),
institutions may choose to require additional
preparatory coursework/interventions for algebraintensive
courses, including MATH 1314/1324/1414
(or their local equivalent).
5. A student who is enrolled in a certificate program of
one year or less (Level-One certificates, 42 or fewer
semester credit hours or the equivalent) at a public
junior college, a public technical institute, or a public
state college.
6. A student who is 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.
Texas State Technical College
tstc.edu