Texas Success Initiative (Formerly known as TASP)

With the passage of Senate Bill 286, the TASP statute has been repealed and the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) takes its place. On July 17, 2003, the Coordinating Board took emergency action to repeal the old TASP rules and adopted new rules so that institutions can implement the Texas Success Initiative beginning fall 2003.

The new rules give institutions more flexibility in making decisions regarding how students comply with developmental education requirements. This is a major change in philosophy. Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, the institutions and the student will have flexibility to design a plan that makes the most sense for the student. Most importantly, the program will not be administered at the state level. Gone is the gate keeping role institutions were forced to assume. With the Texas Success Initiative, the focus shifts from a testing program to an institution-wide effort to ensure that students are successful.

There have been major changes to all components (i.e., assessment, advisement and developmental education, course restrictions while in developmental education, determination of readiness, exemptions, and evaluation and reporting procedures). An Individual Plan for Academic Success will be created for each new student who has not met the minimum passing standard on all three sections of an approved assessment.

What is TSI?

TSI is an acronym for the Texas Success Initiative. TSI is a program that assesses a student's readiness to be successful in freshman college-level coursework.

Who must take an assessment?

All students, unless otherwise exempt (see TSI Exemptions) must take THEA, ASSET, COMPAAA or ACCUPLACER prior to enrolling in college-level courses. Students who fail a section(s) of an assessment will work with an academic advisor to develop an individual plan for academic success. Students will enroll in developmental courses until successfully completing courses. Students must retest failed area(s) if the initial score is below the deviation standard (see TSI Placement chart). Students must meet the TSI requirements before graduation.

When must all TASP requirements be met?

Students must meet all requirements prior to receiving a degree from a Texas public university.

Who is exempt from TASP?

ACT

Composite 23

English 19, Math 19

scores must be no older than 5 years

SAT

Composite 1070

Verbal 500, Math 500

scores must be no older than 5 years

TAAS

Writing 1770; Math 86; Reading 89

scores must be no older than 3 years

TAKS

Standards will be set in April 2004

Holds an Associate or Baccalaureate degree

from an accredited institution of higher education

Has satisfactorily completed college-level

coursework in three skill areas

at a private or out-of-state institution

with a grade of C or better

Has met readiness standards at another

Texas public higher education institution

Serving in active military

Serving as a member of a reserve component of the armed forces for at least three years

preceding enrollment.

Honorably discharged, retired or released

from active duty in military on or after

August 1, 1990

Minimum Acceptable Test Scores for Exemption from Assessment Testing

Test	Combined	Verbal	Math
ACT	23	19	19
SAT	1070	500	500
TAAS	1770 Writing	89 Reading	86 Math
TAKS	TBA*	TBA*	TBA*

* To Be Announced

THEA Regular Administration Schedule

Test Date Saturday morning no later than 8:00 a.m.	Post Mark Deadline For Registration ($29.00)	Late Registration Period (by phone only 512-927-5398 Requires an additional $20.00 fee for a total of $49.00)	Emergency Registration Period (by phone only 512-927-5398 Limited to 6 sites across Texas. $30.00 fee for a total of $59.00)
March 6, 2004	February 6, 2004	February 6, 2004 - February 25, 2004	February 25, 2004 - March 3, 2004
April 24, 2004	March 26, 2004	March 26, 2004 - April 14, 2004	April 14, 2004 - April 21, 2004
June 19, 2004	May 21, 2004	May 21, 2004 - June 9, 2004	June 9, 2004 - June 16, 2004
July 31, 2004	July 2, 2004	July 2, 2004 - July 21, 2004	July 21, 2004 - July 28, 2004

 

Test Date

Saturday morning no later than 8:00 a.m.

Post Mark Deadline for Registration ($29.00)

Internet: Register up to 5:00 p.m. central time by the day of the deadline.
Mail: Your envelope with your registration form and payment must be postmarked by the deadline date.

Late Registration Period (Requires an additional $20.00 fee for a total of $49.00)

Internet: Register up to 5:00 p.m. central time by the last day of the late registration period.
Phone: Register during the late registration period at (512) 927-5398 weekdays between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. central time.

Emergency Registration Period (Limited to 6 sites across Texas - $30.00 fee for a total of $59.00)

Internet: Register up to 5:00 p.m. central time by the last day of the emergency registration period
Phone: Register during the emergency registration period at (512) 927-5398 weekdays between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. central time.

A&M-Commerce Quick THEA Schedule ($35.00)
Day	Date	Time
Saturday	February 14, 2004	8:00 a.m.
Saturday	March 20, 2004	8:00 a.m.
Saturday	April 17, 2004	8:00 a.m.
Saturday	May 15, 2004	8:00 a.m.
Saturday	May 29, 2004	8:00 a.m.
Saturday	June 26, 2004	8:00 a.m.
Saturday	July 10, 2004	8:00 a.m.
Saturday	August 7, 2004	8:00 a.m.
Thursday	February 5, 2004	2:00 p.m.
Thursday	March 4, 2004	2:00 p.m.
Thursday	April 8, 2004	2:00 p.m.
Thursday	May 6, 2004	2:00 p.m.
Thursday	June 10, 2004	2:00 p.m.
Thursday	July 15, 2004	2:00 p.m.
Thursday	July 29, 2004	2:00 p.m..

 

For more information on THEA visit
http://www.thea.nesinc.com