GENERAL INFORMATION

The 78th Texas State Legislature repealed TASP (Texas Academic Skills Program) as of September 1, 2003. The Texas Success Initiative (TSI) is the state-mandated replacement for TASP laws.
 
The program is intended to assess a student's COLLEGE READINESS for first year college-level academic courses. It requires an assessment of the student's basic academic skills in math, reading, and writing. Approved placement tests include these three sections as well as an essay in the writing section.
 
As part of the TSI, all students are required to take an approved placement test unless exempt by the criteria listed below. Vernon College will note if a student is COLLEGE READINESS CLEAR (meaning student has passed all three academic areas of reading, writing, and math, or student is exempt from taking test) or NOT CLEAR (meaning student has not passed all three academic skill areas).
 
Vernon College offers the Accuplacer Test and the regularly scheduled THEA test. Accuplacer is a state approved computerized placement test. It is offered in the Vernon College Testing Center by appointment only. For more information on Accuplacer or the Vernon College Testing Centers please click here: http://vernoncollege.edu/Testing/testdate.html.
 
Vernon College will accept scores of other state-approved placement tests, including Quick THEA, ASSET, COMPASS, and MAPS. When a student has taken two or more different placement tests, Vernon College will accept test results that best benefit the individual student.
 

TSI EXEMPTIONS

* If you have attended a Texas Public College or University since 1989 you may have met a previous exemption from TASP laws. Please submit any transcripts to the Vernon College counseling office for TSI evaluation.

1. Students with ACT composite scores of 23 or higher, with individual math and English scores of no less than 19 are TSI exempt. ACT scores can be no more than five years old (from date of test administration). Partial exemptions may be given based on ACT tests taken after April 2004.
   

2. Students with SAT composite scores of 1070 or higher, with 500 verbal-CR (Critical Reading) and 500 math scores are TSI exempt. SAT scores can be no more than five years old (from date of test administration)Partial exemptions may be given based on SAT tests taken after April 2004..
   

3. Students may also be exempt with appropriate TAKS scores. After Spring 2003 the TAKS test replaced the TAAS test as the exit-level exam in Texas public high schools. Exemption scores are set by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and may change yearly at the THECB's discretion. Current exemptions set by the Coordinating Board for both 10th and 11th grade concurrent enrollment in college classes can be obtained by contacting a counselor directly. (NOTE: It is possible to meet the exemption on the 10th grade TAKS test and subsequently NOT meet the exemption on the 11th grade TAKS exit-level test. The 10th grade exemption is valid for concurrent high school enrollment only.)
   

4. Students who have earned an Associate or Bachelor's degree from accredited institutions of higher learning are TSI exempt. Students must submit an official transcript to the Vernon College Office of Admissions and Registrar for official evaluation before a TSI exemption can be granted.
   

5. Students who are enrolling in a Vernon College Level-One certificate program or the Licensed Vocational Nursing (LVN) certificate program are TSI exempt. Certificate-seeking students must remain within the curriculum specified for each certificate program. Surgical Technology is not an exempt certificate program. Surgical Technology students must meet the TSI standard in reading, writing, and math or otherwise meet a TSI exemption.
   

6. Military Service Exemptions:
   
   Students who are serving as active duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces are TSI exempt. Official documentation of active duty status for the enrollment period is required. Students must file a Verification of Active Duty form each semester (form can be obtained in the Base Education Office) or provide copies of approved tuition assistance forms from the Base Education Office or provide a valid military ID card indicating current military status.
   
   Students who are on active duty in the Texas National Guard are TSI exempt. A verification letter or a valid military ID card indicating current military status must be provided each semester students are enrolled.
   
   Students who are currently members of a reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces or Texas National Guard and have served for at least 3 years preceding enrollment are TSI exempt. A verification letter is required each semester.
   
   Students who on or after August 1, 1990, were honorably discharged, retired, or released from active duty as members of the U.S. Armed Forces, Texas National Guard, or reserve components of these military branches are TSI exempt. A copy of the DD214 form showing this status for U.S. Armed Forces or the NGB295 form for the Texas National Guard must be provided prior to enrollment.
   

7. Students who are transferring to Vernon College from an accredited private or out-of-state college or university and who have satisfactorily completed any college-level coursework are TSI exempt. Students must submit an official transcript to the Vernon College Office of Admissions and Registrar for official evaluation before a TSI exemption can be granted.

If you believe you meet one of the exemptions, submit appropriate test scores/transcripts/forms to Vernon College as soon as possible. Call Student Services with any questions concerning exemptions.

If you do not meet a TSI exemption listed above and want to work on a Vernon College degree or take academic classes for transfer you must take a state approved placement test. Listed below are the state set passing scores for state approved placement tests.

If you take a state approved placement test and do not pass all 3 sections you can still attend Vernon College. Students who have not passed all 3 sections of a placement test are required to be enrolled in a developmental course for the area that they have not passed. A counselor will complete a Developmental Plan with the student outlining what developmental courses the student will be required to take.