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Developmental Education and the Texas Success Initiative (TSI)

As of fall 2003, in order to enroll in Texas public institutions of higher education, students must be in compliance with the Texas Success Initiative (TSI). The law requires all entering college students to be assessed for college readiness in reading, mathematics and writing unless the student qualifies for an exemption. Each student who fails to meet the minimum passing standard of the exam offered by the institution must be placed in a developmental education program designed to help the student achieve college readiness.

The Texas Success Initiative Assessment (TSIA) is the state-approved placement assessment as of August 27, 2013. The TSIA is designed to determine if a student is ready for college-level course work in the areas of reading, writing, and mathematics or if the student needs developmental education courses.

The Academic Center for Excellence (ACE) offers the following developmental education courses:

  • ED 0300 Reading Skills
  • ENG 0300 Writing Skills
  • ENG 0309 Basic Integrated Reading and Writing
  • ENG 0310 Integrated Reading and Writing
  • MATH 0300 Introductory Algebra
  • MATH 0301 Intermediate Algebra
  • MATH 0314 Introduction to College Algebra
  • MATH 0332 Introduction to Contemporary Math
  • MATH 0342 Introduction to Statistical Methods

ACE also offers the following Basic Adult Skills Education (BASE) courses:

  • ED 0200 BASE Reading Skills (taught with ED 0300)
  • ENG 0200 BASE Writing Skills (taught with ENG 0300)
  • MATH 0200 BASE Math Skills (taught with MATH 0300)

 

TSI Exemptions:

ACT-Composite score of 23 or higher with at least a 19 on the English test and/or math sections.

SAT-A minimum score of 480 in the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) for TSI Reading and Writing requirments; a minimum score of 530 on the Mathematics test for TSI Math.

Military-Veterans and active duty personnel serving for at least 3 years preceding enrollment.

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.

Developmental Education course descriptions

Developmental Education FAQs​