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Richland College Assessment Information:
The Texas Success Initiative (TSI)



The Texas Success Initiative (TSI) is a statewide program designed to ensure that students enrolled in Texas public colleges and universities have the basic academic skills needed to be successful in college-level course work. The TSI requires assessment, remediation (if necessary), and advising of students who attend a public college or university in the state of Texas. The program assesses a student's basic academic skills in reading, writing, and math.

See the following topics for more detailed information about TSI requirements and assessments.


WHO MUST ASSESS

All students prior to enrolling in college-level course work must assess with a state-approved assessment. Richland College offers the Accuplacer (a computerized version of a state approved assessment) and the THEA (a pencil/paper version of a state approved assessment).

EXEMPTIONS FOR WHICH ASSESSMENT IS NOT REQUIRED

A student will not need to assess for TSI if at least one of the following conditions is true. Proof of these scores must be provided on an official document such as high school transcript or official score sheet from the testing organization when making application.

  • • SAT: A student has an SAT composite score of 1070, with a minimum of 500 on the math and verbal portions of the test. Test score must be less than 5 years old and achieved in one sitting. Partial exemption is allowed if the Composite score is 1070 and the minimum is met in one of the individual areas; student would need to test in the area not exempt.
  • • ACT: A student has an ACT composite score of 23 with a minimum of 19 in both the math and English portions of the test. Scores must be less than 5 years old and achieved in one sitting. Partial exemption is allowed if the Composite score is 23 and the minimum is met in one of the individual areas; student would need to test in the area not exempt.
  • • TAKS: A student has an 11th grade TAKS score with a minimum of English Language Arts 2200 and a writing sample of a 3. Both minimum scores are required to meet placement for reading and writing. TAKS math score of 2200 will exempt student from TSI requirements in math. However, student will need to test for placement in math regardless of TAKS scores. Scores must be less than 3 years old.

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TSI EXEMPTIONS FOR WHICH PLACEMENT TESTING MAY BE REQUIRED

Proof of these exemptions must be provided on an official document or transcript.

  • • Associate or Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited university or college.
  • • Military exemption (Certain restrictions apply).
  • • Students transferring from out of state or private institutions with transferable core courses. (Transcript must be brought to the TSI Office to determine if placement testing is required.)

TSI TEMPORARY WAIVERS

Students enrolling in courses requiring prerequisites must test or show proof of prerequisites in order to enroll. The waiver status must be declared at the beginning of the semester.

  • • A student is enrolled in and following course work for a certificate program with fewer than 42 semester credit hours
  • • A student is enrolled only in job related courses
  • • A student is declared as nondegree seeking.

PREREQUISITE REQUIREMENTS MUST BE MET BY ALL STUDENTS

The following courses require that both reading and writing be met by assessment or by previous completion of related course work passed with a grade of 'C' or higher:

  • • English 1301, 1302;
  • • Speech 1311, 1315;
  • • Sociology 1301;
  • • Biology 1406, 1407

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The DCCCD Core Curriculum courses, except for math courses, require reading be met by assessment or by previous completion of related course work passed with a grade of "C" or higher.

All college level math classes have prerequisite requirements either by assessment or by showing previous mathematics course work.

There are other college credit classes that have testing placement and/or prerequisite requirements. (See DCCCD catalog for list of course description and prerequisites.)

In order to determine if prerequisite requirements have been met, it is important to speak with the TSI Office or an academic advisor.

ASSESSMENTS OFFERED AT RICHLAND COLLEGE

The state has approved several tests that can be used to satisfy the assessment requirement for basic skills in reading, writing and mathematics. The tests given at Richland College are the Accuplacer and the THEA Test. A student may test once a semester (fall, spring, summer I, summer II). A referral form from an advisor or the TSI Office is required for admission to the Test Center. The Accuplacer is administered by computer. The THEA and the Quick THEA are in booklet form

The Accuplacer allows the student one hour for writing and editing the essay. The Sentence Skills, Reading and Math tests are not timed. Scores are available immediately after testing. A referral is required but no appointment is necessary. Bring a photo ID. The Accuplacer is offered during the week with added testing times when needed. Contact the Test Center (M105) phone 972 238 6160, advising T180 or the TSI Office T170T phone 972 238 6115 or 972 238 3787 for complete information.

Quick THEA is the same as the standard THEA. The Quick THEA is offered at the Richland College Campus during the week at times determined by the Test Center at a cost of $29. A referral is required, but no pre-registration is necessary. Scores are available within a week of testing. Bring a photo ID and arrive one hour before the scheduled test time. Seating is limited. For a current Quick THEA test schedule, contact the Test Center (M105) phone (972 238 6160).

The standard THEA is offered 6 times a year on Saturday morning. Richland College is a test site for the standard THEA. Pre-registration is required for the Saturday test administration. Registration Bulletins are available from the TSI Office, Admissions and the Test Center. It is possible to register for the THEA Test online at www.thea.nesinc.com . The cost of the THEA Test is $29. To avoid having to pay late fees, registration must be complete one month before the date of the test.

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HOW DO I PREPARE FOR THE ASSESSMENT?

Students are encouraged to take time to prepare for the assessment. Talk to the advisor in T180 about test preparation when you get the referral form. The following websites may be used for information and review:

WHAT WILL I DO AFTER THE ASSESSMENT?

Passing the assessment is a prerequisite for enrollment in many college level classes such as English 1301/1302, History 1301/1302, Math 1414, etc. Students who do not meet assessment standards may complete prerequisite requirements by taking developmental courses in the deficient area and passing them with a grade of C or higher. The Advising Center will have a complete list of courses that have prerequisite requirements.

WHAT IS MY RESPONSIBILITY?

It is up to each student to be aware and informed about requirements that are subject to change. Be sure to have the latest information. If you are not sure, please contact the Advising Center in T180, The TSI Office T170T, T170S phone 972-238-6115 or 972-238-3787

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