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 51.333, or Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Title 19, Part 1, Chapter 4, Subchapter C, Rule §4.55, unless exempt, all students must take the TSI Assessment prior to enrolling at the University. Since January 2021, students take the TSIA2 assessment.
TSI status does not impact your admissions status.
Meeting all TSI requirements (being TSI complete) is significant and 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.
Not being TSI complete will limit your enrollment eligibility. Students who are required to meet TSI standards in a specific subject cannot enroll in courses that require proficiency in that subject. For example, a student who has not met the TSI requirements for reading may not take a course that requires strong reading skills. TSI liable students may be granted an Advisement Plan for Academic Success. Future enrollment may be denied if liabilities are not resolved.
TSIA or TSIA2 Passing scores:
Unless exempt, UT Tyler follows the minimum college readiness standards set by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), as outlined in the TAC (§4.57). These TSI Assessment (TSIA) scores determine a student's readiness for entry-level freshman coursework in reading, math, and writing.
The college readiness standards for the TSIA taken before January 11, 2021, are:
Reading - 351
Mathematics - 350
Writing - a placement score of at least 340, and an essay score of at least 4; or a placement score of less than 340 and an ABE Diagnostic level of at least 4 and an essay score of at least 5.
Effective January 11, 2021, students take the TSIA2 assessment. The minimum college readiness standards for the TSIA2 are:
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.
Exemptions for taking the TSI are explained below.
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 Assessment Exemptions
UT Tyler adheres to the eligible assessment exemptions outlined in TAC, Title 19, Part 1, Chapter 4, Subchapter C, Rule §4.54(b).
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 in mathematics, reading, or writing. (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, 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.
At the University of Texas at Tyler we use a course grade of D to determine whether a student is qualified to satisfactorily complete college-level coursework in reading, writing, and/or mathematics. Institutional or transfer credit for the following courses is accepted for Reading and Writing: ENGL 1301, ENGL1302, HIST 1301, HIST 1302, POLS 2305, ENGL 2322 , ENGL 2323, ENGL 2362, ENGL 2363, ECON 2301, ECON 2302, HIST 2321, HIST 2322, PSYC 1301, HUMA 1301. Institutional or transfer credit for college-level math is accepted for Math.
UT Tyler TSI Coursework
UT Tyler developmental coursework must be completed with an overall final grade of D or better in ENGL 0300 and/or “Credit” in Math 0303 to be counted as successful completion of a UT Tyler developmental course.
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.
Contact TSI@uttyler.edu for a review of your TSI status.