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 the Dean of Student Services or Vernon College Student Services. The Texas Success Initiative information is covered during Chaparral Orientation.

The Texas Success Initiative intends to assess a student’s College Readiness  for college level academic coursework by assessing 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 Complete or Incomplete -  Vernon College uses the term “Complete” to designate if a student has met the state set benchmark for all 3 areas of the TSI Assessment or is exempt. The term “Incomplete” is used if the student has not met the state set benchmark for all 3 sections of the TSI Assessment. Vernon College will note on the student official and unofficial record if a student is College Readiness Complete or College Readiness Incomplete.

Vernon College participates in the Math Pathways for College Readiness by offering two distinct paths for Math Preparation.  A student who chooses the Non-Algebra (Math 1332 or 1342) Pathway will not be automatically prepared for College Algebra (Math 1314) and is required to take additional Developmental Math courses for enrollment in College Algebra.

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. If you are eligible for one of the exemptions, you must bring proof of your exemption to the Vernon College Office of  Admissions and Records.   

Students may be College Readiness Complete 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 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. As provided in Texas law, Vernon College will honor all previously awarded TSI exemptions and TSI statuses shown on an official transcript.

The minimum exemption standards for these tests are:

*The use of scores from both the ACT administered prior to February 15, 2023, and the ACT administered on or after February 15, 2023, is allowable, as long as the appropriate benchmarks are met.

Other Exemptions:

• Student who transfers to Vernon College from a private institution of higher education or a regionally 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 TSI complete in reading and writing but not complete in math or vice versa.  
• Previously graduated with an Associate or Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher education
• Enrolling in a level 1 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)

Students who are College Readiness Incomplete are required to be enrolled in developmental coursework until they have completed their academic success plan. Students will receive their Individual Academic Success Plan from the Student Success Office. The Individual Academic Success Plan will be designed on a case by case basis to provide the student an appropriate measure to obtain College Readiness Complete 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 the 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.

Dual Credit and Concurrent Enrollment students are able to use TSI eligibility scores as outlined in by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. These eligibility scores are only applicable when the student is still in high school. After high school graduation a student must either take the TSI test or meet an exemption standard. If a student attempts college level classwork using an eligibility score the student is not considered TSI complete until the student successfully completes the college level classwork. Please call the Early College Start Coordinator or the Dean of Student Services for specific information.