AA Head - 070708

TSI (THEA Information)

TEXAS SUCCESS INITIATIVE

The Texas Success Initiative plan was approved by the 78 th Texas Legislature in June 2003 to be effective with the beginning date of September 1, 2003 . Under the TSI, an institution shall assess the academic skills of each entering undergraduate student prior to the enrollment of the student. Board approved assessment instruments are ACCUPLACER, ASSET, COMPASS and THEA. The University of Texas of the Permian has chosen to use the THEA (Texas Higher Education Assessment) [formerly TASP] as its approved instrument. The THEA is offered during the regularly scheduled testing plan or is available as a quick version from the PASS Office. Please call (432) 552-2630 for testing information.


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Minimum Passing Standards

The following minimum passing standards shall be used by an institution to determine a student’s readiness to enroll in freshman-level academic coursework:
ACCUPLACER: Reading Comprehension – 78; Elementary Algebra – 63; Sentence Structure – 80; and Written Essay – 6.
ASSET: Reading Skills – 41; Elementary Algebra – 38; Writing Skills (objective) – 40; and Written Essay – 6.
COMPASS: Reading Skills – 81; Algebra – 39; Writing Skills (objective) – 59; and Written Essay – 6.
THEA: Reading – 230; Mathematics – 230; Writing – 220
The minimum passing standard for the written essay portion of all tests is a score of 6. However, an essay with a score of 5 will meet this standard if the student meets the objective writing test standard.
An institution may require higher passing standards.

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Exemptions/Exceptions

The following students shall be exempt from the requirements of this title:

For a period of five (5) years from the date of testing, a student who is tested and performs at or above the following standards:
ACT: composite score of 23 with a minimum of 19 on both the English and the mathematics tests;
SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test): a combined verbal and mathematics score of 1070 with a minimum of 500 on both the verbal and the mathematics tests; or
For a period of three (3) years from the date of testing, a student who is tested and performs on the Texas Assessment of Academic Skills (TAAS) with a minimum scale score of 1770 on the writing test, a Texas Learning Index (TLI) of 86 on the mathematics test and 89 on the reading test.
A student who has graduated with an associate or baccalaureate degree from an institution of higher education.
A student who transfers to an institution 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 coursework as determined by the receiving institution.
A student who has previously attended any institution and has been determined to have met readiness standards by that institution.
A student who is 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.
A student who is serving on active duty as a member of the armed forces of the United States, the Texas National Guard, or 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.
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.
An institution may exempt a non-degree-seeking or non-certificate-seeking student.

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Students Seeking Admission to an Educator Preparation Program

All students in Texas seeking admission to a state-approved educator preparation program or alternative certification program are required to perform satisfactorily on a basic skills examination. This requirement has been in effect since May 1, 1984. Students seeking teacher certification should check with the Education Certification Office in MB 3215A. THEA Test registration booklets are available in the P.A.S.S. Office, MB 1160. The Quick THEA Test is offered in the P.A.S.S. Office.