TDCJ TSI Assessments
Texas Success Initiative Assessment 2.0
The Texas Assessment Initiative Assessment 2.0 (TSIA2) is the assessment instrument used to determine college readiness for non-exempt students, as required by the Texas Success Initiative. TSIA2 helps determine whether you are ready for college-level coursework in English language arts and reading (ELAR) and mathematics. These are foundational subjects for your other college coursework. The results of TSIA2, in conjunction with your academic background, goals, and interests, are used by academic advisers and counselors to place you in the appropriate courses that match your achievement level.
The tests in TSIA2 either certify you as "college ready" (or TSI-met/complete) in a subject area or provide a diagnostic profile regarding your academic strengths and weaknesses so that targeted instruction may be provided to help you succeed in college-level courses. TSIA2 contains multiple-choice questions aligned to Texas College and Career Readiness Standards, Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, Adult Education and Literacy Content Standards 2.0, and National Reporting System Educational Functioning Levels. The ELAR Test also contains an essay component you must complete to be considered college-ready in ELAR. TSAI2 produces a numeric scale score ranging from 910-990.
The assessments are untimed, which means there is no time limit on how long you can take to complete testing. Remember to allow yourself enough time to consider your answer to each question - your test results will be used by advisers in determining the course or courses in which you can enroll.
Unsatisfactory
A student whose performance is below the minimum passing standard set by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) for a tested skill area must participate in developmental education, a corequisite program in accordance with the servicing college’s developmental policy. The corequisite studies program is intended to assist students in acquiring the essential skills needed to succeed in college. All students are expected to do their utmost to complete the corequisite and paired credit courses within one semester. Students may earn an A, B, C, D, or F in the paired courses. Grades of A, B, C, and D will result in the student being considered TSI complete.
For individual advisement regarding TSI policy as it applies to you, contact a TVCC enrollment coordinator via an I-60 “Offender Request to Official” form.
Satisfactory
Students scoring satisfactorily on all parts of the TSIA2 test will be allowed to matriculate through the college as described in this catalog.
REQUIRED INSTITUTIONAL PLACEMENT TESTS FOR VOCATIONAL PROGRAMS
The Windham School System will administer the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) regularly throughout the year.
To enroll in a college career and technical education (CTE) course, the student must take the appropriate level TABE and score the minimum test score for the respective workforce program. Minimum scores are established by the policy of the Rehabilitation Programs Division of the TDCJ.
Blocked Courses
Some academic courses are blocked based on TSI requirements. Generally, a student must pass the appropriate section on an approved TSI test or complete the required developmental course sequence in order to have course blocks removed from their degree plan. Blocked courses in each TSI area (reading, writing, and math) are outlined below: (Business and CTE college credit courses are not blocked based on TSI requirements)
Students must be TSI complete in reading to enroll in the following courses:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ARTS-1301 | Art Appreciation | 3 |
| ARTS-1303 | Art History I (prehistoric to the 14th Century | 3 |
| ARTS-1304 | Art History II (14th Century to Present) Present) | 3 |
| BIOL-1406 | Biology for Science Majors I | 4 |
| BIOL-1407 | Biology for Science Majors II | 4 |
| BIOL-2401 | Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| BIOL-2402 | Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
| BIOL-2404 | Anatomy and Physiology (single-Semester) Course) | 4 |
| BIOL-2420 | Microbiology for Non-Science Majors | 4 |
| CHEM-1405 | Introductory Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHEM-1407 | Introductory Chemistry II | 4 |
| CHEM-1411 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHEM-1412 | General Chemistry II | 4 |
| CHEM-2423 | Organic Chemistry I | 4 |
| DRAM-1310 | Theater Appreciation | 3 |
| DRAM-2366 | Film Appreciation | 3 |
| ECON-2301 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 |
| ECON-2302 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
| MUSI-1306 | Music Appreciation | 3 |
| MUSI-1307 | Music Literature | 3 |
| SPCH-1321 | Business and Professional Communication | 3 |
| PHYS-1415 | Physical Science I | 4 |
| PHYS-1417 | Physical Science II | 4 |
Students must be TSI complete in reading and writing to enroll in the following courses:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL-1302 | Composition II | 3 |
| ENGL-2322 | British Literature I | 3 |
| ENGL-2323 | British Literature II | 3 |
| ENGL-2327 | American Literature I | 3 |
| ENGL-2328 | American Literature II | 3 |
| ENGL-2332 | World Literature I | 3 |
| ENGL-2333 | World Literature II | 3 |
Students must be TSI Algebraic complete in math to enroll in the following courses:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ACCT-2401 | Principles of Financial Accounting | 4 |
| ACCT-2402 | Principles of Managerial Accounting | 4 |
| BIOL-1406 | Biology for Science Majors I | 4 |
| BIOL-1407 | Biology for Science Majors II | 4 |
| CHEM-1407 | Introductory Chemistry II | 4 |
| CHEM-1411 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHEM-1412 | General Chemistry II | 4 |
| CHEM-2423 | Organic Chemistry I | 4 |
| MATH-1324 | Mathematics for Business & Social Sciences | 3 |
| MATH-1325 | Calculus for Business and Social Sciences | 3 |
| MATH-1350 | Mathematics for Teachers I (fundamentals of Mathematics I) | 3 |
| MATH-1351 | Mathematics for Teachers II (fundamentals of Mathematics Ii) | 3 |
| MATH-2320 | Differential Equations | 3 |
| MATH-2312 | Pre-Calculus Math | 3 |
| MATH-2413 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MATH-2414 | Calculus II | 4 |
| MATH-2415 | Calculus III | 4 |
| MATH-2318 | Linear Algebra | 3 |
| PHYS-1401 | College Physics I | 4 |
| PHYS-1402 | College Physics II | 4 |
| PHYS-2425 | University Physics I | 4 |
| PHYS-2426 | University Physics II | 4 |
MATH
Students must be TSI non-algebraic complete in math to enroll in the following courses:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CHEM-1405 | Introductory Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHEM-1407 | Introductory Chemistry II | 4 |