Texas Success Initiative (TSI)
The Texas Success Initiative is a state law enforced by all Texas public institutions of higher education. The Texas Success Initiative (TSI) is designed to determine whether students possess the basic reading, writing, and mathematics skills necessary for university courses. In accordance with Texas Education Code, Section 51.3062, unless exempt, all students must take the TSI Assessment prior to enrolling at the University. Since January 2021, students take the TSIA2 assessment.
Students not earning passing TSI scores in reading, writing, and math and considered TSI liable are not eligible to register for many University courses. Exemptions for taking the TSI are explained below.
TSIA2 Passing scores:
Mathematics (for college-level coursework with a mathematics-intensive designation)
- A college readiness classification (CRC) score of at least 950; or
- A CRC score below 950 and a Diagnostic level of 6.
English Language Arts Reading (for college-level coursework with reading, writing, or reading and writing-intensive designation)
- A college readiness classification (CRC) score of at least 945 and an essay score of at least 5; or
- A CRC score below 945 and a Diagnostic level of 5 or 6 and an essay score of at least 5.
TSI students who are liable in an area may not register in courses with a designation in that area. For example, a student who is TSI liable in reading may not take a course with a reading designation.
Meeting all TSI requirements (being TSI complete) is significant an enables the student to take all courses on their required degree plan. TSI-liable students must take developmental education courses that do not apply to their degree plan to help build the needed skills for success in subsequent courses. Students should actively work to become TSI complete to save time and money in earning their degrees.
TSI liable students may be granted an Advisement Plan for Academic Success. This one-semester agreement allows students to enroll with appropriate approval. Future enrollment may be denied if the terms of the TSI Agreement have not been met by the conclusion of the term.
TSI Exemptions
Students may be exempt from the TSI if they meet the following:
A student who is tested and performs at or above the following standards is TSI exempt. Test scores are only valid if they are within a five-year period of the testing date.
The following scores make a student Reading Exempt:
- TAKS (Exit Level) : 2200 - ELA with 3 Essay
- STAAR (EOC): Minimum Level 2 score of 4000-English III*
- ACT: A composite of 23 with a 19 in English
- SAT: EBRW 480+
The following scores make a student Writing Exempt:
- TAKS (Exit Level) : 2000- ELA with 3 Essay
- STAAR (EOC) : Minimum Level 2 score of 4000 - English III*
- ACT: A composite of 23 with a 19 in English
- SAT: EBRW 480+
The following scores make a student Math Exempt
- TAKS (Exit Level) : 2200 - Math
- STAAR (EOC) : Minimum Level 2 score of 4000 - Algebra II
- ACT: A composite of 23 with a 19 in Math
- SAT: 530+
*English II and Algebra I STAAR scores will not satisfy requirement.
Other Exemptions
Out-of-State Transfer Students
- A student who transfers to an institution from a private or independent institution of higher education or an accredited out-of-state institution of higher education and who has satisfactorily completed college-level coursework. (An evaluation process by faculty is required. UT Tyler personnel will facilitate this process.).
In-State Transfer Students
- A student who has previously attended any institution and has been determined to have met readiness standards by that institution.
Certificate Programs
- A student who is enrolled in a certificate program of one year or less (Level-One certificates, 42 or fewer semester credit hours or the equivalent) at a public junior college, a public technical institute or a public state college.
Active Military
- 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.
Discharged Military
- A student who on or after Aug. 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.
Non-Degree Seeking
- An institution may exempt a non-degree-seeking or non-certificate-seeking student.
A TSI exemption does not exempt a student from the university's admission requirements.
Credit by Examination (AP test scores, IB, CLEP)
- A student who achieves the required score on certain AP, IB, or CLEP tests will receive college credit for the associated class as well as TSI exemption in that area. Credit for ENGL 1301 will exempt a student from reading and writing TSI testing. Credit for college-level math will exempt a student from TSI testing in math. Some examination credits may exempt a student from reading TSI requirements only. Contact TSI@uttyler.edu for a review of your credit by examination scores. Your OFFICIAL scores must be provided to UT Tyler to receive credit and TSI exemption.
Dual Credit Coursework
- A student who provides an OFFICIAL college transcript showing the successful completion of dual credit coursework may be exempted from TSI testing in some areas. The completion of ENGL 1301 with a grade of C or better will exempt a student from TSI testing in reading and writing. The completion of college-level math with a grade of C or better will exempt a student from TSI testing in math. Letter grades of D or below will not be accepted as “successful completion”. Some additional dual credit coursework may exempt a student from TSI testing in reading only. Contact TSI@uttyler.edu for a review of your dual credit coursework.
*Completion of developmental coursework at another institution does not guarantee that a student meets the college readiness standard based on TSI requirements for UT Tyler.