Texas Success Initiative
The Texas Success Initiative requires all students enrolling at Texas public institutions to demonstrate college readiness in reading, writing, and math prior to enrolling in college-level coursework. Students can demonstrate college readiness by taking the TSI-Assessment and meeting established college readiness standards or by qualifying for a State approved exemption/waiver. Students who do not demonstrate college readiness must meet with an Academic Advisor to develop a plan leading to college readiness, which may include developmental course placement.
To be considered “College Ready” students must score the following on the TSI-A:
Math: 350 or higher
Reading: 351 or higher
Writing:
-
Multiple choice score 340 or higher AND essay score of 4 or higher or;
-
Multiple choice score less than 340 AND ABE Writing score of 4 or higher AND essay score of 5 or higher.
The following table lists all State approved assessments with qualifying scores for full or partial TSI exemption:
|
Assessment Instrument
|
Reading & Writing Exemption
|
Math Exemption
|
|
ACT
|
Composite score ≥ 23 and
English score ≥ 19
|
Composite score ≥ 23 and
Math score ≥ 19
|
|
SAT*
|
Total score ≥ 1070 and
Reading score ≥ 500
|
Total score ≥ 1070 and
Math score ≥ 500
|
|
New SAT**
|
Evidenced Based Reading & Writing Score ≥ 480
|
Math score ≥ 530
|
|
TAKS
|
English/Language Arts score ≥ 2200 and Written Composition score ≥ 3
|
Math score ≥ 2200
|
|
STAAR EOC
|
English III Level II score ≥ 4000
|
Algebra II Level II score ≥ 4000
|
* administered prior to March 1, 2016
**administered on or after March 1, 2016
The following are other conditions or criteria used to determine a full or partial TSI exemption:
- Completion of a College Prep Course (offered at select high schools) with a grade of 75 or higher and meet minimum TSIA-Math & TSIA-Reading scores as specified by Laredo College (see advisor for more info)
- Completion of college-level coursework as determined by LC
- Students who have attended any institution of higher learning and have been determined to have met "college-level" readiness
- Students who are enrolled in a certificate program of one year or less (Level – One Certificates, 42 or fewer credit hours or the equivalent) at a public junior college, a public technical institute, or a public state college
- Students serving or have served in the armed forces of the United States or the Texas National Guard. Specifically:
- A student who is serving on active duty as a member of:
- the armed forces of the United States; or
- the Texas National Guard
- A student who is currently serving as and, for at least the three-year period preceding enrollment, has served as member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States; or
- 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.
- Service as a member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States.
For more information regarding the Texas Success Initiative Program, you may call the Student Success Center at (956) 721-5135 or (956) 794-4135. Testing dates and registration information are available in the Assessment Center.