Texas Success Initiative

Students planning to attend Tarleton State University need to be aware that, unless they are exempt under Texas Success Initiative guidelines, they must take an approved test, i.e., THEA (Texas Higher education Assessment – formerly TASP), ASSET, COMPASS or ACCUPLACER, prior to enrolling their first semester.

Please refer to Tarleton State University’s TSI Plan at:

Texas Sucess Initiative (TSI) Plan Through Spring 2008

Texas Sucess Initiative (TSI) Plan Beginning Summer 2008

Previous TASP scores will be accepted. A student may also take an alternative test such as ASSET, COMPASS, or ACCUPLACER, or provide proof of exemption. Test scores or exemptions must be received in our office before you will be allowed to register for classes.

General information for Developmental Education and Texas Success Initiative: http://www.thecb.state.tx.us//OS/SuccessInitiatives/DevEd/

THEA:	http://www.thea.nesinc.com/
ACCUPLACER:	http://www.collegeboard.com/highered/apr/accu/accu.html
ASSET:	http://www.act.org/asset/index.html
COMPASS:	http://www.act.org/compass/index.html

You may contact a local community/junior college or university regarding test dates for the Quick THEA, ASSET, COMPASS or ACCUPLACER tests. You must confirm with the school that the ASSET, COMPASS and ACCUPLACER tests are given as an alternative to the THEA, not just a placement test. The Writing section must include the essay. The Math section must be the Elementary Algebra section for the ASSET and ACCUPLACER tests and must be the Algebra section for the COMPASS test.

TSI Exemptions

There are certain conditions that may exempt students from requirements of the TSI law.

1.	Students performing at or above the following levels are exempt:
	A.	ACT	Composite score of 23 or higher with a minimum of 19 on the English Test and a minimum of 19 on the mathematics test, shall be exempt for those corresponding sections. A student may be partially exempt if the student has a composite score of 23 or higher with a minimum of 19 on the English Test and/or a minimum of 29 on the mathematics test. Scores must be no more than five years old.
	B.	SAT	Combined verbal and mathematics score of 1070 with a minimum of 500 on the verbal test and the mathematics test, shall be exempt for those corresponding sections. A student may be partially exempt if the student has a combined verbal and mathematics score of 1070 with a minimum of 500 on the verbal test and/or a minimum of 500 on the mathematics test. Scores must be no more than five years old.
	C.	TAKS	A student who is tested and performs on the Eleventh grade exit-level 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 (ELA) section with a writing subsection score of at least 3, shall be exempt from the assessment required under this title for those corresponding sections. TAKS scores must be no more than three years old.
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 high 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 transfers to an institution from a private or independent institution of high 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.
5.	Military exemptions and waivers:
	A.	a student is waived if he/she is a student who is serving on active duty as a member of:
		a)	the armed forces of the United States; or **
		b)	the Texas National Guard; **
	B.	a student is waived if he/she is a student who is currently serving as and, for at least the three-year period preceding enrollment, has served as a member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States (excludes reserves of Texas National Guard); or **
	C.	a student is exempt if he/she is a student who on or after August 1, 1990, was honorably discharged, retired, or released from:
		a)	active duty as a member of the armed forces of the United States or the Texas National Guard; or
		b)	service as a member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States (excludes reserves of Texas National Guard).

Some of the TSI exemptions or waivers for admission to Tarleton State University are not accepted by the Teacher Education Council for admission to the Teacher Education Program. Please contact the Certification Office at (254) 968-9815 for more information.

** Students must show proof each academic year, i.e., each Fall semester.

If you have any questions regarding TSI please contact:

Undergraduate Admissions:	uadm@tarleton.edu
General Studies:	http://www.tarleton.edu/~genstudies/
Testing:	http://www.tarleton.edu/~testing/
Teaching and Learning Center:	http://www.tarleton.edu/~tlc/