Texas Success Initiative (TSI)

TSI

The Texas Success Initiative (TSI) was implemented by the State Legislature to evaluate the preparedness of incoming college students for enrolling in college-level academic coursework. It also aims to support students who may not yet meet the requirements for such coursework by offering guidance and educational resources essential for college success.

Testing Requirements

Unless specifically exempted, every undergraduate student who enrolls in a public institution of higher education will undergo testing to evaluate their reading, writing, and mathematics proficiency before enrolling in any college-level academic coursework. Students must take the state-approved Texas Success Initiative Assessment (TSIA) to fulfill this requirement. Non-exempt high school students are encouraged to take the TSIA as soon as they become eligible, preferably before high school graduation.

Students transferring to the University of Houston-Victoria from private or out-of-state institutions must meet TSI requirements before enrolling in college-level academic coursework by passing all TSIA sections or achieving a grade of “C” or higher in an approved college-level course approved by UHV.

Students needing to take the TSIA to qualify for college-level academic courses must arrange testing through UHV’s Testing Center, accessible via the Testing Center website. UHV’s Testing Services Department offers the TSIA during scheduled administrations for current and prospective UHV students, and the surrounding community. To view available testing dates, register, and pay for the TSIA, visit RegisterBlast. 

Non-exempt students who haven’t undergone testing for reading, writing, and mathematics skills before enrolling at UHV may only enroll in coursework under extraordinary circumstances. TSI assessment waivers will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

TSI Exemptions & Waivers

Exemption from TSI requirements will be granted to any student who:

1. Has attained the minimum score on the designated tests below:

• ACT - administered before February 15, 2023: a composite score of 23 with a minimum score of 19 on the English test shall be exempt for both the reading and writing sections of the TSIA, and/or 19 on the mathematics test shall be exempt from the mathematics section of the TSIA;
• ACT - administered on or after February 15, 2023: a combined score of 40 on the English and Reading (E+R) test shall be exempt for both reading and writing or ELAR sections of the TSIA. A score of 22 on the mathematics test shall be exempt from the mathematics section of the TSIA. There is no composite score;
• SAT - administered on or after March 5, 2016: A minimum score of 480 on the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing test shall be exempt for both reading and writing sections of the TSIA. A minimum score of 530 on the mathematics test shall be exempt from the mathematics setion of the TSIA;
• GED - a minimum score of 165 on the Mathematical Reasoning subject test will exempt the student from the mathematics section of the TSIA. A minimum score of 165 on the Reasoning Through Language Arts (RLA) subject test will exempt the student from the mathematics section of the TSIA.
• HiSet - a minimum score of 15 on the Mathematical Reasoning subject test shall be exempt for the mathematics section of the TSIA. A minimum score of 15 on the Reading subtest and a minimum score of 15 on the Writing subtest, including a minimum score of 4 on the essay, shall be exempt for the English Language Arts Reading (ELAR) section of the TSIA.
• STAAR EOC - a minimum score of 4000 on the English III STAAR EOC will exempt the student from the reading and writing sections of the TSIA, and/or a minimum score of Level 2 on the Algebra II STAAR EOC will exempt the student from the mathematics section of the TSIA.

For exemption purposes, test scores must not exceed five years from the date of administration.

    2. College Preparatory Course:

• Completion - Satisfactory completion of a college preparatory course under Texas Education Code 28.014 with one of our partnering school disctricts or institutions of higher education, including Texas College Bridge, or at an institution that accepts the student as TSI-met based on course completion. For students who completed an approved college preparatory course, the exemption remains valid for twenty four months from the high school graduation date, pertaining to the content area covered by the course. Upon enrollment, students have one year to fulfill a college course in the corresponding content area.

   3. Has completed the coursework specified below:

• Degree - an associate or baccalaureate degree awarded from an institution of higher education will exempt the student from the TSIA,
• Transfer - satisfactory completion of college-level coursework as determined by UHV from an accredited institution of higher education will exempt the student from the appropriate section of the TSIA.
• Completion - satisfactory completion of readiness standards at any Texas institution of higher education or an accredited out-of-state institution will exempt the student from the appropriate section of the TSIA.

   4. Texas First Diploma:

• A student who has earned the Texas First Diploma under chapter 21, subchapter D of this title (relating to Texas First Early High School Completion Program).

A student qualifies for a waiver from the TSI if one of the following applies:

1. Has earned a military waiver:
   • Active Duty - active duty service as a member of the armed forces of the United States or the Texas National Guard will exempt the student from the TSIA,
   • Reserves - current service as a member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States combined with service for at least the three years preceding enrollment will exempt the student from the TSIA,
   • Prior Service - an honorable discharge, retirement, or release from active duty as a member of the armed forces of the United States, the Texas National Guard, or a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States occurring on or after August 1, 1990, will exempt the student from the TSIA.

   2. Other Waivers:

• Non-degree-seeking - Students enrolling as non-degree-seeking may qualify for a TSI waiver. Once a student becomes officially degree-seeking, they must fulfill TSI standards.

The determination of a student’s exemption status or waiver will be carried out by the appropriate staff, who may also consider deferrals for students experiencing exceptional circumstances

Course Exemptions

Students will demonstrate a TSI exemption with a passing grade in college-level coursework in a related field, either at UHV, external transfer credit posted to the student’s UHV account, or by using AP exam scores or dual credit grades, as determined by the University of Houston-Victoria. Courses that will demonstrate a TSI exemption in each respective area at the University of Houston-Victoria are as follows:

Passing Standards

The minimum passing standards for the three skill areas on the TSIA have been set by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board as follows:  Mathematics - 350; reading - 351; Writing - essay score of 5, or an essay score of 4 with a multiple choice section score of 340. TSIA2 Mathematics - 950 or a Diagnostic score of 6; TSIA 2 ELAR - 945 and essay score of 5; or Diagnostics score of 5 and essay score of 5. TSI scores remain valid for a period of five years starting from the testing date.

Co-Requisite Coursework

A student who is not exempt and scores less than the minimum passing standard in any skill area is considered TSI incomplete in reading, writing, and mathematics. Students will be enrolled in the appropriate co-requisite course (i.e., ENGL co-requisite during the student’s first semester and MATH co-requisite during the subsequent semester) and required to take the TSIA by the end of the first semester.

Learning Disabilities

UHV considers all federal laws pertaining to individuals with disabilities when assessing and advising students who fail to meet the minimum passing standards of the TSIA.

Performance on the TSIA shall not be used as a condition for admission to UHV or to any degree program the university offers.

All testing fees and costs for co-requisite activities are the student’s responsibility.