Texas Success Initiative (TSI)

The Texas Success Initiative (TSI) requires students to be assessed in Reading/Writing or ELAR and Mathematics before enrolling in courses at a Texas public college or university. Texas Education Code Section 51.3062 provides institutions of higher education a means of determining students’ readiness to enroll in entry-level course work. Prior to enrollment in college level courses, each student must be assessed in three areas (Reading/Writing or ELAR and Mathematics) by taking the TSI assessment and achieving the following scores:

  • TSI Assessment (prior to January 11, 2021)
    • Mathematics: 350 or higher
    • Reading: 351 or higher
    • Writing:
      • Placement score of at least 340 and an essay score of at least a 4; OR
      • Placement score of less than 340, ABE Diagnostic level of 4 or higher and an essay score of at least a 5.
  • TSI Assessment 2.0 (after January 11, 2021)
    • ELAR:
      • College Readiness Classification of 945 or higher and an essay score of 5 or higher; OR
      • College Readiness Classification of at least 944, diagnostic score of 5 or higher, and an essay score of 5 or higher.
    • Math:
      • College Readiness Classification of 950 or higher; OR
      • College Readiness Classification of at least 949 and diagnostic score of 6.

Students who do not achieve the required TSI college ready scores will be required to enroll in the appropriate co-requisite course each semester until college ready.  Students who are not TSI complete is any area (Reading, Writing, and/or Math) will be unable to register for TSI restricted courses in that area and in upper division (3000-4000) courses until the student demonstrates college readiness in all areas.

The fee for the completion of the assessment instrument will be paid by the student. TSI Placement scores are set by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and are subject to change. 

TSI Developmental Policy

Students who are admitted to the University and are not college ready in any area of the TSI will be placed on a TSI agreement.  Students are required to become college ready within three consecutive regular (16 week) semesters and will be provided assistance through co-requisite courses.  Students that do not meet college readiness in all areas within three consecutive regular (16 week) semesters will be dismissed and unable to register for future semesters.  Students who are not college ready will have a TSI hold placed on their account.  Students are required to be enrolled every semester in at least one co-requisite course in their TSI deficient area until they become college ready.  Students who do not enroll in the required co-requisite course could be dropped from all their courses. This policy may change based on recommendations from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) or because of extenuating circumstances.

Exemptions

The following exemptions may be applied to those that are eligible and who have not met TSI requirements.  It is the responsibility of the student to provide the documents necessary for A&M-SA to determine the student’s eligibility for the exemption.

ACT

  • ACT administered prior to February 15, 2023:  Obtain a composite score of 23 with a minimum of 19 on the English test shall be exempt for both the reading and writing sections of the TSI Assessment, and/or 19 on the mathematics test shall be exempt for the mathematics section of the TSI Assessment.  ACT administered on or after February 15, 2023: a combined score of 40 on the English and Reading (E+R)  tests shall exempt from both the reading and writing (ELAR) sections of the TSIA Assessment.  A score of 22 on the mathematics test shall exempt for the math section of the TSI Assessment.  Valid for a period of five (5) years from the date of the test.

SAT

  • March 1, 2016 to present:  An evidence based reading and writing score of 480 shall exempt both reading and writing sections of the TSI Assessment and a mathematics score of 530 shall exempt for the mathematics section of the TSI Assessment.  Valid for a period of five (5) years from the date of the test.

STAAR

  • A minimum score of Level 2 on the English III for both the reading and writing, and a minimum score of Level 2 on the Algebra II.  Valid for a period of five (5) years from the date of test.

High School Equivalency (HSE) Tests

High School Equivalency (HSE) tests that meet the minimum requirement can exempt the TSI Assessment.  Valid for a period of five (5) years from the date of the test.

  • GED:
    • A minimum score of 165 on the Mathematical Reasoning subject test shall be exempt for mathematics.  
    • A minimum score of 165 on the Reasoning Through Language Arts (RLA) subject test shall be exempt for English Language Arts Reading (ELAR).  
  • HiSET:
    • A minimum score of 15 on the Mathematics subtest shall be exempt for mathematics.
    • A minimum score of 15 on the Reading subtest and a minimum score of 15 on the Writing subtest, including a minimum score of 4 on the essay, shall be exempt for English Language Arts Reading (ELAR).

Military

  • A student who on or after  August 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.

Transfer

  • Students who have graduated with an associates or baccalaureate degree from a U.S. accredited institution of higher education.  A student who transfers 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 reading, writing, and mathematics coursework is exempt as determined by A&M-SA.
  • A student who has previously attended any institution and has been determined to have met readiness standards by that institution. Students, who meet non-Algebra intensive readiness standards in mathematics, may need to complete additional preparatory coursework/interventions for Algebra intensive courses.
  • A student who previously 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.

Waivers

The following are temporary waivers that may be applied to those that are eligible and who have not met TSI requirements.  It is the responsibility of the student to provide the documents necessary for A&M-SA to determine the student’s eligibility for the waiver.  Students that do not fulfill the waiver requirements within the specified time will be required to take the TSI Assessment.

  • Students who are serving on active duty as a member of the armed forces of the United States, Texas National Guard 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.  Students must submit waiver requests and appropriate documentation each semester or until they become college ready.
  • A student that has successfully completed and passed a college preparatory course or the Texas college bridge program through a partnering high school can be provided a waiver for 24 months from graduation.  An entry-level college course in the specific content area must be completed and passed within two semesters from initial enrollment.    
  • A temporary waiver can be provided for non-degree seeking student.  This is a one-time, one semester waiver.

Exemptions and waivers will only be used to satisfy the TSI requirement for registration into entry-level courses. Students exempt from TSI requirements may still need to take lower-level, prerequisite courses. TSI assessment results or proof of exemption must be submitted to the Testing Center. For more information on what documents are needed for the exemptions and waivers, please contact the TSI Office at tsi@tamusa.edu or visit www.tamusa.edu/testing-center.

Meningitis Information

Texas Senate Bill 1107 requires all students (under the age of 22) entering an institution of higher education (public and private) to either receive an initial vaccination against bacterial meningitis or a booster dose during the five-year period preceding and at least 10 days prior to the first day of the first semester in which the student initially enrolls at an institution or meets certain criteria for declining such a vaccination.  In addition, students under the age of 22 who have taken a break in enrollment of at least one fall or spring semester at the same or another institution are also required to obtain a booster if the date of the original vaccination has expired.   Transfer students are considered entering students.  This information shall be maintained in accordance with Family Education Rights and Privacy Act Regulations and with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.  

The University has chosen to work with Med+Proctor to provide web-based access for submitting evidence of the vaccination or booster.  Evidence of a vaccination or booster must be uploaded by students and approved by Med+Proctor  no later than 10 days prior to the start of the semester.

Extensions for vaccination and approval by Med+Proctor  may be granted up to 10 days after the first day of class. The student may request an extension by submitting an extension request form to the Welcome Center.

Students who have been granted an extension and have not submitted documentation of the vaccination or have not been approved through Med+Proctor  by the submission deadline will be dropped from courses as required by state law.

Exemptions may be requested for reasons of conscience or by the recommendation of a physician.  This documentation must also be submitted to and approved by Med+Proctor.

This requirement does not include:

  • Students who are 22 years of age or older
  • Students who are enrolled only in online courses or other distance education courses. Students who will be enrolled only in online courses must submit an exemption form each semester to the Welcome Center. Students will be required to submit an Add/Drop form through his/her advisor and the registrar’s office to register for classes.

As part of the implementation of Senate Bill 1107, Texas A&M University-San Antonio (A&M-SA) will place a registration hold on all new incoming and former students under the age of 22 effective on a designated date prior to the entry term.  All registered students pending verification of vaccination documentation will be dropped from classes on the first “drop for non-payment” date for the semester as published on the academic calendar. Students with an approved extension that are out of compliance after the authorized 10-day extension will be dropped from their classes. Registration holds will be removed upon verification of vaccine or approval of exemption. The Welcome Center is located in the Madla Building, room 111 and can be reached at (210) 784-1300. Additional information about providing documentation of meningitis vaccination is available online:  http://www.tamusa.edu/welcomecenter/NewStudentChecklist/meningitisvaccine.html.