Texas Success Initiative (TSI)
Assessment
On August 22, 2013, the Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB) implemented the Texas Success Initiative Assessment (TSIA) rules. This statue requires that all Texas public institutions of higher education determine the readiness of all non-exempt, entering undergraduate students to enroll in freshman-level academic courses .
Effective January 2021, all students who are not exempt are required to take the Texas Success Initiative Assessment 2.0 (TSIA2). TSIA2 helps determine if a student is ready for college-level coursework in English language arts and reading (ELAR) and mathematics, foundational subjects for other college coursework. Student registered after the first day of classes in the Spring 2021 Semester are required to take the TSIA2. Previous TSIA scores are valid for up to five (5) years from the date of testing.
An assessment test is required by Texas law to ensure that all graduates of Texas public colleges possess the academic skills necessary to perform effectively in the workplace. Prior to graduation with an Associate of Applied Science or an Associate of Arts degree, students must complete TSIA2 requirements. Individuals should consult the website at www.lamarpa.edu for the most current TSIA2 assessment, testing, placement, and exemptions.
Before testing, students are required to complete the TSIA2 Pre-Assessment Activity located on the LSCPA website.
Exemptions
Students that satisfy the criteria below are exempt from the requirements of the TSIA. Exempt students are not required to provide any additional demonstration of college readiness and shall be allowed to enroll in any entry level course.
- ACT. Composite score of 23 or higher with at least a 19 on both English and math sections.
- SAT.
- Administered prior to March 5, 2016. Combined verbal and math score of 1070 with a minimum of 500 on both the verbal test and math test.
- 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.
- Administered on or after March 5, 2016. 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 for the SAT test administered on or after March 5, 2016.
- TAKS. Minimum score of 2200 on both the English and/or math sections with at least a 3 on the writing component of the 11th grade TAKS (for a period of 3 years from the date of testing)
- STAAR Scores for English. A minimum score of Level 2 on the English III STAAR end-of-course (EOC) for reading and writing.
- STAAR Scores for Mathematics. A minimum score of Level 2 on the Algebra II STAAR end-of-course (EOC) for mathematics.
- Previous Degree. A student who has graduated with an associate or baccalaureate degree from an institution of higher education.
- Transfer. Transfer from a private or independent institution or an accredited out-of-state institution and has satisfactorily completed college level coursework as determined by the receiving institution.
- Certificate. Enroll in a certificate program of one year or less (Level One certificates, 42 or fewer semester credit hours or the equivalent) at a public community college, a public technical institute, or a public state college.
- Military. Veterans and active duty personnel serving for at least three (3) years preceding enrollment.
- Non-degree Seeker. An institution may exempt a non-degree-seeking or non-certificate-seeking student.
- English as a Second Language (ESOL) Waiver. An institution may grant a temporary waiver from the assessment required under this title for students with demonstrated limited English proficiency in order to provide appropriate ESOL/ESL coursework and interventions. The waiver must be removed prior to the student attempting fifteen (15) semester credit hours of developmental ESOL coursework or attempting entry-level freshman coursework, whichever comes first, at which time the student would be administered the TSIA Assessment. Funding limits as defined in Texas Education Code, §51.3062(l)(1) and (2) for developmental education still apply.
Any student who has been determined to be exempt in mathematics, reading, and/or writing shall not be required to enroll in developmental coursework and/or interventions in the corresponding area of exemption.
Placement Guidelines
The TSIA Placement Guidelines below are effective for students who applied after January 11, 2021 for admission to Lamar State College Port Arthur.
*Students scoring a 4 on the Diagnostic Test may be holistically advised into the CoRequisite Course/College Level Course.
| English Language Arts Reading (ELAR) |
|
College Readiness
Classification
|
Diagnostic Test
|
Essay |
Courses |
| 910-944 |
AND |
1-3 |
|
N/A |
Retest/Refer to Region 5 |
| 910-944 |
AND |
4** |
AND |
1-8 |
DENG 0410 |
| 910-944 |
AND |
5-6 |
|
1-4 |
DENG 0301 and ENGL 1301 |
| 910-944 |
AND |
5-6 |
AND |
5-8 |
ENGL 1301 |
| 945-990 |
AND |
|
|
1-4 |
DENG 0301 and ENGL 1301 |
| 945-990 |
AND |
|
|
5-8 |
ENGL 1301 |
**Students may be holistically advised into the CoRequisite Course/College Level Course.
The TSI Placement Guidelines below are effective for students who applied before January 11,2021 for admission to Lamar State College Port Arthur.
Math Pathways
Reading Pathway
Writing Pathway