The Texas Success Initiative (TSI) is a state-mandated program to assess students' basic skills in reading, math, and writing through diagnostic testing, and provide developmental instruction for skills that need improvement. All students must prove they are exempt from TSI requirements or take an approved TSI assessment test before enrolling. Students with scores below state standards must enroll in developmental courses until they complete TSI requirements within their first two semesters.

1. Texas Success Initiative
The Texas Success Initiative (TSI) is a state-legislated program designed to improve student success in college. There are
two components of the program: (1) an assessment to diagnose students’ basic skills in reading, mathematics and writing;
and (2) developmental instruction to strengthen academic skills that need improvement.
All students are required by law to prove they are exempt prior to enrollment (http://www.utexas.edu/ugs/tsi/exemptions) or
take a TSI assessment test approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
Exemptions
A student can check his/her TSI status by logging onto his/her Registration Information Sheet (RIS). The student then selects
the “Advising Information” section and looks for the heading “TSI Status.” A student with an “E” or “C” is TSI exempt.
Advisors can use Advisors Toolkit. Search for a student using EID, click on the “Admissions” tab, and click on “Test
Scores.” This will display TSI information. A TSI student who has a TSI Status of “D” will need to complete
Developmental Studies coursework. The subsequent sections that are marked with an “I” identify the areas in which the
student needs Developmental Studies coursework. If a student has a “B” in the TSI Status section, they have to take a TSI
assessment test.
Testing
Students at Orientation who have not yet met TSI requirements (TSI Status of B) will be asked to take a TSI assessment test
on campus: The Internet-based THEA (IB-THEA). The Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) will administer the IB-
THEA on Day 2 and 3 of Orientation. Students must take the IB-THEA and present scores before they will be allowed
to register for courses. Students may also submit scores from any of the approved exams (Accuplacer, Compass or Asset).
Students can register for the exam at http://ctl.utexas.edu/programs-and-services/student-testing-services/. The cost of
the test is $29, plus there is a $20 administration fee, which will be billed to their account. Students can also take a practice
test at: http://www.thea.nesinc.com/ by clicking on the link “Try a free sample online practice test.”
Advising
Students with scores below the state-set standards (including subtests not attempted) will be required to enroll in
Developmental Studies until they complete TSI requirements. Students will meet with a TSI Advisor to develop an
Individualized Education Plan, discuss course options related to the core curriculum, and register for Developmental
Studies coursework. Students must complete TSI requirements within their first two semesters to comply with Texas law.
The TSI office will outline students’ plans in Advisors Toolkit to inform academic advisors about course selections.
Restricted Courses
TSI students will be restricted from registering for certain courses until they meet TSI requirements.
• Students who are not MATH compliant may not register for any college level mathematics course.
• Students who are not WRITING compliant may not register for RHE 306.
• Students who are not READING compliant may not register for PSY 301; ECO 304K; HIS 315K/L, HIS317L,
HIS 365; GOV 310L, GOV 312L; or E 316K courses.
The TSI office will notify and drop students from restricted courses if they have not met TSI requirements.
Enrollment in these courses is also restricted through UT Extension as of March 2011.
For more information:
Texas Success Initiative
Flawn Academic Center (FAC) Room 338
Tel: 512-232-8400, Fax: 512-232-8418
www.utexas.edu/ugs/tsi/