Texas Success Initiative
The Texas Success Initiative (TSI) Law was substantially amended by the Texas Legislature effective August 26, 2013. If you have any questions please contact Vernon College Student Services. The Texas Success Initiative information is covered in depth during New Student Orientations.
The Texas Success Initiative intends to assess a student’s College Readiness for college level academic coursework by testing reading, writing, and math ability. College Readiness is a term designated by the State of Texas to indicate a student’s ability to successfully enroll and progress in first year college level academic coursework.
College Readiness Clear or Not Clear - Vernon College uses the terms “Clear” or “Complete” to designate if a student has passed all 3 areas of the TSI Assessment or is exempt. The terms “Not Clear” or “Incomplete” if the student has not passed all 3 sections of the TSI Assessment and is required to take developmental coursework. Vernon College will note on the students’ official and unofficial records, if a student is College Readiness Clear or College Readiness Not Clear.
Vernon College participates in the Math Pathways for College Readiness by offering two distinct paths for Math Preparation. A student who chooses the Contemporary Math (Math 1332) Pathway will not be automatically prepared for College Algebra (Math 1314) and may be required to take additional Developmental Math courses for enrollment in College Algebra.
If you do not meet one of the TSI exemptions listed below and want to take academic coursework you must take the Texas Success Initiative Assessment before you enroll in coursework. The Texas Success Initiative Assessment is the only approved placement test after August 26, 2013.
The Texas Success Initiative Assessment is:
- mandatory for all public colleges and universities in Texas
- required by the State of Texas to measure your ability to read, write, and do math at a college level
- a computerized test consisting of a multiple choice exam as well as a writing sample you will receive your results as soon as you finish the exam
- will provide you a multi page print out so that you can see in what areas you did well as well as in what areas you did poorly and will be requiring developmental class work
If a student took another previously state-approved placement test and attended a college or university, those previously state-approved placement test scores can be used. These scores can only be used as a result of the previous college enrollment.
All students are now required to take the Texas Success Initiative Assessment unless they meet one of the exemptions listed below. We encourage you to read the exemptions below carefully to see if you are eligible to claim one of these state approved exemptions. If you are eligible for one of the exemptions you must bring proof of your exemption to the Vernon College Counseling Office.
Students may be College Readiness Clear if they qualify for one of the following exemptions:
Exemptions using other tests:
ACT/SAT/TAKS/STAAR EOC Tests—Students who meet the following standards may be exempt from taking the TSI Assessment test if they have valid ACT, SAT, TAKS, or STAAR EOC scores. It is the student’s responsibility to provide official scores to VC to qualify for an exemption prior to enrollment in any college-level courses and prior to expiration of those specific scores.
The minimum exemption standards for these tests are:
| Name of Test |
Composite Score |
English/Verbal Scores |
Math Scores |
Expiration Date from the date the test is taken |
| SAT -Taken before February 2016 |
Combined 1070 |
500 (Critical Reading Score) |
500 |
5 Years |
| SAT - Taken after March 2016 |
N/A |
480 (Evidenced Based Reading and Writing) |
530 |
5 Years |
| ACT |
23 |
19 |
19 |
5 Years |
| TAKS Exit Exam 11th Grade |
N/A |
2200 with Writing Sub-score of 3 |
2200 |
5 Years |
| STAAR EOC |
N/A |
4000 on the English III EOC Exam |
4000 on Algebra II EOC Exam |
5 Years |
Other Exemptions:
- Student who transfers to Vernon College from a private institution of higher education or an accredited out-of-state institution of higher education and who has satisfactorily completed college-level coursework may be exempt for portions of the TSI law at Vernon College. The coursework from the private or out of state institution of higher education must have a prerequisite of reading, writing and/or math for the same class at Vernon College. A student may be partially TSI clear in reading and writing but not clear in math or vice versa.
- Previously graduated with an Associate or Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher education
- Enrolling in a certificate program of 1 year or less (less than 42 semester credit hours)
- Student serving as active duty or active reserves in the US Armed Forces
- Student honorably discharged from Active Duty in the US Armed Forces after August 1, 1990 (student should provide a copy of a DD214)
- High School students who are taking Vernon College coursework as dual credit or concurrent enrollment may be able to use their STAAR English II exam or STAAR Algebra I exam as an “eligibility score.” “Eligibility scores” are set by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board in conjunction with the Texas Education Agency . Please contact the Associate Dean of Student Services for information on specific requirements for utilizing “eligibility scores.”
Students who are College Readiness Not Clear are mandated to be enrolled in developmental coursework until they have completed their developmental plan. Students will receive their Individual Developmental Plan from the Counseling Office. Students who are College Readiness Not Clear must have their schedules approved by the Vernon College Counseling Office each semester to verify they are following their Individual Developmental Plans and making progress toward completion of the plan. The Individual Developmental Plan will be designed on an individual basis to provide the student an appropriate measure to obtain College Readiness Clear status and include:
- career advising
- course based and/or non-course based developmental education options
- campus and/or community resources and support services
- degree plan or plan of study
- designated point of contact
- registration information for the next semester
- differentiated placement
- a description of the appropriate coursework to ensure college readiness
The Texas Success Initiative Law is administered through Student Services. Vernon College makes every effort to make sure the spirit of the law is upheld and the actions of Vernon College benefit the student. Any questions concerning the Texas Success Initiative Law can be directed to a Vernon College Counselor or the Associate Dean of Student Services. Any complaints concerning the law should be directed to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, your local state legislators, or the Governor of Texas. The annual printing and publication of this catalog may prohibit recent changes to the law being reflected in this document. Please refer to the Vernon College website or the Vernon College Office of Student Services for more information.