Texas Success Initiative (TSI)

The Texas Success Initiative (TSI) became effective Sept. 1, 2003. This initiative replaced the Texas Academic Skills Program (TASP).

Requirements of the TSI and the College Preparatory Education Program

• All incoming students, unless exempt, must be assessed for college readiness in the areas of reading, mathematics, and writing. The assessment instrument used at San Jacinto College is COMPASS, which is an adaptive, computer delivered test.

• Students must have demonstrated college readiness prior to being allowed to enroll in college-level courses with required skills prerequisites. College readiness is demonstrated for each area by a passing score on an assessment instrument, completion of a College Preparatory course sequence, or having previously completed a college-level course with a skill requirement for an area. Once a TSI area is met, students do not have to retest unless they are seeking admission to a program of study that requires passing a test for TSI purposes.
• All students, unless enrolled in a Waived Certificate Program, who have not met a TSI area(s) must enroll in and participate in College Preparatory studies in at least one unmet area each semester until all areas are met. Students should meet with a counselor to further develop their individual College Preparatory education plan, which may include retesting, study skills, and other options for developing college readiness.

Exemptions from the TSI

Students are exempt from the provisions of the TSI if they have met one of the following conditions:

• Have graduated from a regionally accredited institution of higher education with an associate or higher degree.
• Were previously exempt from or have completed the requirements of the COMPASS.
• Meet qualifying standards on the SAT, ACT, or TAKS. Students are exempt from the provisions of the TSI if they have met the qualifying scores on one of the following tests:
  • ACT–Composite score of 23 or higher with individual mathematics and English scores of no less than 19. Scores are valid for five years from the date of testing. Scores on a residual ACT are not acceptable for TSI exemption. A mathematics score of 21 or higher is required to qualify for enrollment in college algebra.
  • SAT–Composite score of 1070 or higher with individual critical reading and mathematics scores of no less than 500. Scores are valid for five years from the date of testing. A mathematics score of 550 or higher is required for enrollment in college algebra.
  • Exit-level TAKS–A mathematics score of 2200 or higher and a language arts score of 2200 or higher with an essay score of 3 or higher. Scores are valid for three years from the date of testing.
• Are serving on active duty as a member of the Armed Forces of the United States, in the Texas National Guard, or as a member of a Reserve unit of the Armed Forces of the United States and have been serving for at least three years preceding enrollment; or have been honorably discharged, retired, or released on or after Aug. 1, 1990.
• Transfer from a regionally accredited out-of-state institution of higher education and have satisfactorily (with a grade of D or higher) completed college-level coursework related to a skill area(s). Students who have not completed coursework related to all skill areas must be assessed in the unmet area(s) and must participate in College Preparatory studies if the area(s) is not met on the assessment test.
• Have attended any regionally accredited institution of higher education and have been determined to meet readiness standards by that institution. This includes passing scores on an approved assessment instrument, a previous determination of college readiness (exemption), or the completion (with grades of C or higher) of college preparatory studies at that institution.

Waived Certificate Programs

Students who enroll in a waived certificate program are not exempt from required assessment, but are waived from required college preparatory studies while enrolled in a waived program. However, they are restricted to enrollment in only those courses within the waived program and must meet all course prerequisites.

TSI requirements deferred for students who are not seeking a degree or certificate

Students who declare that they are not seeking a degree or certificate and have earned less than 15 college-level credit hours (at all institutions) may defer both the required assessment and College Preparatory education provisions of the TSI. Students with this status must meet listed course skill prerequisites; thus testing may be required. Students in this non-degree seeking status are not eligible for most state or federal financial aid.

Withdrawing from required College Preparatory studies

Student Initiated Withdrawal
Students enrolled in required College Preparatory studies may, under exceptional circumstance and for one semester only, withdraw from their only required College Preparatory course. Students must meet with an educational planner to obtain approval and to discuss their individual College Preparatory education program.

College Readiness Based on SAT, ACT, TAKS

Students who meet the exemption standard on one of the above tests are considered to be college-ready in the individual areas where the standard is met. College readiness based on the SAT, ACT, or Exit-level TAKS are as follows:

Students who are college-ready in one area but not exempt in all areas based on the ACT, SAT, or TAKS must test for TSI purposes in the areas where they are not college-ready prior to enrolling for any courses.