Texas Success Initiative (TSI) Program

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After you are admitted, but prior to registration, you must either present scores from an assessment test associated with the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) program or be exempt. Learn more about exemptions from TSI requirements in this section of Dallas College catalog to determine if you are exempt or waived from TSI requirements.

Assessment is not used to determine admission except for students wishing to enroll in “special admissions” programs.

The Texas Success Initiative (TSI) Program is required by state law to ensure students enrolled in Texas public colleges possess the academic skills needed to perform effectively in college-level coursework. TSI includes a testing component designed to identify and provide information about your reading, writing, and math skills. You are highly advised to consult with a Success Coach to be sure you meet TSI requirements. It is your responsibility to be aware of all TSI regulations. For more information about TSI, visit the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) website at https://www.highered.texas.gov/.

TSI Requirements

Effective Fall 2013 the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) implemented the new Texas Success Initiative (TSI) for Texas public institutions of higher education, a program to replace the former 2003 TSI program. It is the intent of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board that Texas public institutions of higher education use the flexibility and responsibility of TSI rules to improve individualized programs to ensure the success of students in higher education. The college makes every effort to ensure that students have equal opportunity for success in their academic coursework. In order to facilitate their college readiness for such coursework, the Dallas College assess students with the TSI required assessment instrument and places them based on their assessment and diagnostic results. Students will be assessed on TSI Reading, Writing and Math, unless exempt from TSI test requirements.

TSI Exemptions/Waivers

You must have TSI assessment scores on file prior to enrolling for college-level courses. Prior to any student taking the TSI assessment, a Pre-Assessment Activity (PAA) and practice test must be administered.

If you meet any of the following conditions, you are exempt or waived from the TSI requirements.

1. 1. For a period of five years from the date of testing, a student who is tested and performs at or above the following standards is exempt:

• ACT administered prior to February 15, 2023: composite score of 23 with a minimum of 19 on the English test shall beexempt for both the reading and writing sections of the TSI Assessment, and/or 19 on the mathematics test shall be exempt for the mathematics section of the TSI Assessment;
• ACT administered on or after February 15, 2023: a combined score of 40 on the English and Reading (E+R) tests shall be exempt for both reading and writing or ELAR sections of the TSI Assessment. A score of 22 on the mathematics test shall be exempt for the mathematics section of the TSI Assessment. There is no composite score.
• The use of scores from both the ACT administered prior to February 15, 2023, and the ACT administered after February 15, 2023, is allowable, as long as the benchmarks set forth in clause (ii) of this subparagraph are met.
• SAT Testing prior to March 5, 2016 – Students who took the SAT test prior to March 5, 2016 may use the following scores: Combined critical reading (formerly “verbal”) and mathematics score of 1070 with a minimum of 500 on the critical reading test shall be exempt for both reading and writing sections of the TSI Assessment, and/or 500 on the mathematics tests shall be exempt for the mathematics section of the TSI Assessment.
• SAT Testing administered on or after March 5, 2016 – a minimum score of 480 on the Evidenced-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) test shall be exempt for both reading and writing sections of the TSI Assessment; a minimum score of 530 on the mathematics test shall be exempt for the mathematics section of the TSI Assessment. There is no combined score. The newly approved scores became effective on August 10, 2016.
  Please note that mixing or combining scores from the SAT administered prior to March 5, 2016 and the SAT administered on or after March 5, 2016 is not allowable.
• GED – a minimum score of 165 on the Mathematical Reasoning subject test shall be exempt for the mathematics section of the TSI Assessment. A minimum score of 165 on the Reasoning Through Language Arts (RLA) subject test shall be exempt for the English Language Arts Reading (ELAR) section of the TSI Assessment.
• HiSET – a minimum score of 15 on the mathematics subtest shall be exempt for the mathematics section of the TSI Assessment. 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 TSI Assessment. HiSET scores with test administration dates after 8/31/21 will no longer be useable for the TSI exemption.

2. For a period of 5 years from the date of testing, a student who is tested and performs on the 11th grade exit-level Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) with a minimum scale score of 2200 on the math section and/or a minimum scale score of 2200 on the English Language Arts section with a writing subsection score of at least 3, shall be exempt from the TSI assessment required under this title for those corresponding sections. For more information about Dual Credit, Early College and Middle College eligibility and testing requirements for course placement, see the Dual Credit section  within the catalog.
3. STAAR Testing beginning in spring 2014 – For a period of 5 years from the date of testing, a student who is tested and performs on the eleventh-grade exit-level STAAR end-of-course (EOC) with a 4000 minimum score (on the combined reading and writing test) of Level 2 on the English III shall be exempt from the TSI assessment required for reading and writing. A student with a 4000 minimum score of Level 2 on the Algebra II EOC shall be exempt from the TSI assessment required for the mathematics section.
4. A student who has graduated with an associate or higher degree from an institution of higher education and submits appropriate documentation of degree and official transcript is exempt.
5. A student who transfers to Dallas College from a public, private or independent institution of higher education or an accredited out-of-state institution of higher education and who has satisfactorily completed at least three (3) hours of college-level Corerelated coursework with a grade of “C” or better is exempt in the TSI component area (reading, writing, and/or math) assigned to the course. An official transcript must be submitted.
6. A student who has previously attended any accredited Texas public institution of higher education and has been determined by that institution to have met TSI standards is TSI met in that specified TSI component area. For students meeting non-Algebra intensive readiness standards in mathematics as defined in §4.59(d)(1)(B) of this title (relating to Determination of Readiness to Perform Entry-Level Freshman Coursework), will be required additional preparatory coursework/interventions for Algebra intensive courses, including MATH 1314 , MATH 1324 , MATH 1414  (or their equivalent). It is the institution’s responsibility to ensure that students are clearly informed of the consequences of successful completion of a mathematics pathways model which results in meeting the mathematics college readiness standard only for specific entry-level freshman mathematics courses. An official transcript must be submitted.
7. A student who is enrolled in a certificate program of one year or less will be waived of TSI requirements (Level-One certificates, 42 or fewer semester credit hours). However, students are not exempt from TSI if they take courses that are not included in the Level-One certificate.
8. 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 is exempt.
9. 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 or service as a member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States is exempt.
10. A non-degree-seeking or non-certificate-seeking student is waived from TSI requirements.
11. Students in ESOL programs may be granted an ESOL waiver from TSI testing. The ESOL waiver must be removed after the student attempts 15 credit hours of ESOL coursework/interventions, or attempts entry-level freshman coursework.
12. A student who successfully completes a college preparatory course as allowed by Texas Education Agency is exempt for a period of 24 (twenty-four) months from the date of high school graduation with respect to the content area of the course. In the student’s first year of enrollment in an institution of higher education, student must enroll in the student’s first college-level course in the exempted content area. This exemption applies only at the institution of higher education that partners with the school district in which the student is enrolled to provide the course. Additionally, an institution of higher education may enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with a partnering institution of higher education to accept the exemption for the college preparatory course. Students with a TSI exemption for a college preparatory course who earn less than a “C” in the student’s first college-level course in the exempted content area shall be advised of non-credit-based options for becoming college ready, such as tutoring or accelerated learning.
13. Any student who has been determined to be exempt in mathematics, reading, and/or writing as outlined above shall not be required to enroll in developmental coursework and/or intervention in the corresponding area of exemption.

TSI Pre-Assessment Activity

A Pre-Assessment Activity (PAA) must be administered prior to any student taking the TSI assessment. This activity provides students with valuable information concerning the assessment process and components, sample test questions, developmental education options, and other resources. After completing the TSI Pre-Assessment Activity, students will be administered a practice TSI test before taking the official TSI test.

TSI Assessment Instruments

The TSI Assessment is the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board approved test instrument effective August 26, 2013. A student may demonstrate college readiness by meeting or exceeding the Board-approved single statewide standard. The TSIA was updated to TSIA2 on January 11, 2021. The chart below outlines the statewide standards and effective dates for both.

TSIA (Prior to 1/11/2021)

Minimum Passing TSI Standards

The college will use the following minimum passing standards to determine a student’s readiness to enroll in freshman-level academic coursework. Scores are valid for 5 years from the date of testing.

TSIA2 (On or after 1/11/2021)

Minimum Passing TSI Standards

The college will use the following minimum passing standards to determine a student’s readiness to enroll in freshman-level academic coursework. Scores are valid for 5 years from the date of testing.

TSI Course Prerequisites

All courses in the Core Curriculum  and other courses *require documented college-level readiness in the appropriate content area before enrollment. In compliance with the work of the Dallas College Curriculum Committees, the catalog will identify and the Course Master will regulate prerequisites for these courses. No student shall be waived from prerequisites without evidence of academic readiness. Students who have met all of their TSI standards, course prerequisite requirements, and all other graduation requirements will be awarded their certificate or degree. Dallas College transcript will indicate a student’s readiness in reading, writing and mathematics.

*Hardcoded Prerequisites

In course descriptions, Hardcoded prerequisites are identified as “Prerequisite Required.” Hardcoded prerequisite courses require students to show documented college-level readiness in the appropriate content area before enrolling in the following courses:

Reading:

ANTH 2302 , ANTH 2346 , ANTH 2351 , ANTH 2401  

BIOL 1322 , BIOL 1406 , BIOL 1408 , BIOL 1409 , BIOL 1411 , BIOL 2306 , BIOL 2406  

COMM 1307  

DRAM 2361  

EDUC 1301  

GEOG 1302 , GEOG 1303  

HIST 1301 , HIST 1302 , HIST 2301 , HIST 2311 , HIST 2312 , HIST 2321 , HIST 2322 , HIST 2327 , HIST 2328 , HIST 2381  

PHIL 1301 , PHIL 1304 , PHIL 2303 , PHIL 2306 , PHIL 2307 , PHIL 2316 , PHIL 2321  

PSYC 2301 , PSYC 2306 , PSYC 2314 , PSYC 2316  

SCIT 1307 , SCIT 1407  

SOCI 1301 , SOCI 1306 , SOCI 2301 , SOCI 2306 , SOCI 2319  

SPCH 2333 , SPCH 2335 , SPCH 2341  

TECA 1303 , TECA 1311 , TECA 1318 , TECA 1354  

Reading and Writing:

ENGL 1301  

GOVT 2304 , GOVT 2305 , GOVT 2306 , GOVT 2311  

SPCH 1311 , SPCH 1315 , SPCH 1318 , SPCH 1321  

Note: ENGL 1302  or various literature courses may also require TSI. Consult with an academic advisor for details.

Mathematics:

MATH 1314 , MATH 1324 , MATH 1332 , MATH 1414 , MATH 1442, MATH 1342  

Note: Various higher-level mathematics courses may also require TSI. Consult with an academic advisor for details.

TSI Requirements for AAS

Students pursuing an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree or Level II certificate that does not include MATH in the award are required to take the TSI assessment but do not need to place at college-level math or take developmental math courses to be TSI met.

If you need additional information or help, contact the Academic Advising office by calling 972-669-6400 or emailing advising@dcccd.edu.

Additional TSI information can be found on the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board website at https://www.highered.texas.gov.

And remember TSI rules are always subject to change. For the latest TSI information, consult with a Success Coach.