TEXAS SUCCESS INITIATIVE

All first-time entering freshmen are required to take the THEA (Texas Higher Education Assessment) test prior to entering college (except those meeting THEA exemptions), as mandated by Texas law.  Test results will be used to assist students in selecting courses which give them an opportunity to succeed. Parallel Studies courses are optional unless the student has failed to pass all components of the THEA test. If a student has not taken all sections of the THEA test, the section(s) skipped will be considered as failed. High school counselors should be consulted for information and test dates, or the Blinn College Counseling Center can be reached at (979/830-4196) in Brenham, or in Bryan (979/209-7250), or Schulenburg (979/743-5203).

(Formerly Texas Academic Skills Program-TASP)

As of September 1, 2003 Senate Bill 286, section 37 replaced the TASP statue with the Texas Success Initiative (TSI). Under the TSI, students will be assessed, receive the help they need to become college-ready, and be evaluated to determine when they are ready to enroll in college-level work.

All students, unless exempt (see TSI exemptions), MUST take the THEA test , the THEA Quick Test (THEA QT), or an approved alternative test (ASSET, ACCUPLACER, or COMPASS) prior to enrolling in college-level courses. Blinn College accepts scores from the state scheduled THEA test or the QT test, as well as alternative tests. For students who have taken an approved alternative test, Blinn College accepts these alternative scores if recorded on an official transcript or addendum attached to the transcript. Scores reported in the form of a letter from the institution’s registrar, on letterhead, with signature, raised seal, and the words “official score” will be considered official if sent directly from the institution to Blinn. Hand-carried or faxed scores will not be accepted.

For those students who have missed the regularly scheduled state THEA test dates and who have not taken an approved alternative test, Blinn College offers the QT test. This test is identical to the THEA test and is offered by Counseling Services immediately prior to and during registration periods. A testing fee of $29 is charged for this service along with a Blinn College administration fee of $10. Students with documented disabilities that request testing accommodations should refer to the “Registration for Special Testing Accommodations” in the THEA Registration Bulletin. The THEA Registration Bulletin is available in Texas public high schools and colleges.

Students who do not pass all three sections of the THEA test or the alternative test, need to participate in developmental courses each semester for the failed section of the test. The initial test scores will be used to place students in the appropriate developmental course. Students will need to complete the developmental sequence in the failed area or pass that section of the test prior to enrolling in college-level courses. See the placement chart for the THEA and alternative tests for correct placement.

The Blinn College Success Initiative Plan states that students are considered “College Ready” if they have passed the section of the test or completed the highest developmental course in reading, writing, or mathematics with a grade of “C” or better. A student cannot enroll in any of the approved related academic courses in the failed area until the developmental sequence is completed, or until the failed section of THEA or alternative test is retaken and passed. Refer to the placement chart for a list of the related academic courses in reading, writing, and mathematics.

Students enrolled in developmental courses must follow the Blinn College attendance policy. A student who is subject to the Success Initiative rules and who acquires the equivalent of two weeks of absences in a required developmental course(s) will be withdrawn from the course. Likewise, a student who is not subject to the Success Initiative rules and acquires the equivalent of two weeks of absences will also be withdrawn from the course. Refer to the Class Attendance page for more information.

Students may choose to enroll in developmental courses for one or all areas of skill deficiency. The sooner the developmental sequence is completed with a grade of “C” or better, the sooner the related academic courses may be attempted. Students who believe their study patterns and skills need improvement, should consider enrolling in study skills.

Blinn College's current Texas Success Initiative (TSI) Plan can be found here.

Texas Success Initiative (TSI) Exemptions

Students are exempt from taking a state assessment test if any one of the following conditions applies. Official documentation in the form of official transcripts sent directly to Blinn College or a score report sent directly from the testing agency to Blinn College must be provided for the exemption to be accepted. Blinn College may also require a placement test be taken by the student for certain exemptions.

1. SAT / ACT

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:

1. American College Test (ACT): minimum composite score of 23 with a minimum of 19 on both the English and mathematics tests (scores must be from the same test date).
2. Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT): a combined minimum verbal and math score of 1070 with a minimum of 500 on both the verbal and the mathematics tests (scores must be from the same test date).

2. Partial SAT / Partial ACT

For those students who have taken the ACT or SAT test, a partial exemption may be granted if a student meets the composite score requirement, but does not meet both of the individual exemption score requirements:

1. ACT Test: If a student has a minimum composite score of 23 and has a score of at least 19 on either the verbal or the mathematics test but not both, the student will be considered exempt on the section in which a 19 was scored.
2. SAT Test: If a student has a minimum composite score of 1070 and has a score of at least 500 on either the verbal or the mathematics test but not both, the student will be considered exempt on the section in which a 500 or higher was scored.

3. TAKS

Students may be exempt from taking a state assessment if they have the following scores on their Exit Level TAKS test. Minimum TAKS exemption scores are:
      Math Exemption -         Math:  2200                 (2400 or greater to take MATH1314)
Writing Exemption -      English/Language Arts: 2200 with a 3 on the essay.
      Reading Exemption -    English/Language Arts: 2200 with a 3 on the essay.

Partial exemptions are allowed for students meeting the minimum score in any one of the areas.

4. TAAS

For a period of three (3) years from the date of testing, a student who is tested and performs on the exit-level 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 a score of 89 on the reading test (scores must be from the same test date).

5. Degree from a Texas public institution

A student who has graduated with an associate or baccalaureate degree from a Texas public institution of higher education is considered TSI exempt in all areas.

6. Transfer from private or out-of-state college with a related-academic course

A student who transfers to Blinn College from a private institution of higher education or an accredited out-of-state institution of higher education and have taken courses corresponding to the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) requirements and earned a grade of “C” or higher in each of the three skill areas. These courses must have course numbers corresponding to courses transferring to Blinn College. The student must test in those areas in which he does not have a “C” or higher in a related academic course.

7. Transfer from another Texas public college

A student who has previously attended another public college in Texas and has been determined to have met TSI standards by that institution.

8. Certificate students

A student who has 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 institution, or a public state college. Blinn College requires the THEA or QT as a placement test for all certificate students.

9. Active duty military

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 United States and has been serving for at least three years preceding enrollment. (A copy of your military ID card must be submitted to the admissions office.)

10. Retired military

A student who on or after August 1, 1990, was honorably discharged, retired, or released from active military 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.

TSI Placement Charts

Reading Section

If the student failed the reading section of one of the assessment tests, the following charts are used based on the student’s initial reading score to find the course placement and “track number” required for reading developmental courses.  Once the student has determined the “track number”, refer to the second chart for the course sequence the student is required to complete prior to enrolling in the related academic courses. Students will need to complete the course/testing sequence to be considered “College-ready” in each section.

Math Section

If the student failed the math section of one of the assessment tests, the following charts are used based on the student’s initial math score to find the course placement and “track number” required for math developmental courses.  Once the student has determined the “track number”, refer to the second chart for the course sequence the student is required to complete prior to enrolling in the related academic courses. Students will need to complete the course/testing sequence to be considered “College-ready” in each section.

Writing Section

If the student failed the writing section of one of the assessment tests, the following charts are used based on the student’s initial writing score to find the course placement and “track number” required for writing developmental courses.  Once the student has determined the “track number”, refer to the second chart for the course sequence the student is required to complete prior to enrolling in the related academic courses. Students will need to complete the course/testing sequence to be considered “College-ready” in each section.

Page Last Updated: March 2, 2007