POLICY

Section 51.3062 of the Texas Education Code establishes the Success Initiative (SI) program as a requirement at all Texas institutions of higher education. The effective date of the program is September 1, 2003. The following are the basic provisions of the Success Initiative legislation.

TESTING

All entering undergraduate students (unless exempt) are required to take an assessment test prior to enrolling in classes. The approved assessment tests are: THEA (formerly named TASP), ASSET, COMPASS, and ACCUPLACER. The minimum passing scores for each of these tests are set by the state; each institution may establish its own score requirements at or above these minimums. The minimum passing scores are:

THEA: reading = 230; mathematics = 230; writing = 220

ASSET: reading skills = 41; elementary algebra = 38; writing skills (objective) = 40; essay = 6

COMPASS: reading skills = 81; algebra = 39; writing skills (objective) = 59; essay = 6

ACCUPLACER: reading comprehension = 78; elementary algebra = 63; sentence skills (objective) = 80; essay = 6

(The minimum passing standard for the written essay portion of these tests is a score of 6. However, an essay with a score of 5 will pass if the student meets the objective writing test standard.)

DEVELOPMENTAL EDUCATION

Students who score below the minimum passing level on one or more sections of the initial assessment test are required to enroll in appropriate developmental education course(s) as assigned by an advisor in the Undergraduate Scholars@UH Academic Advising Center.

PLACEMENT REQUIREMENTS

Students who pass the assessment test may still be required to enroll in a developmental education course if their test scores do not meet the placement requirements established by the University of Houston academic departments. See your academic advisor for detailed information about UH placement requirements.

EXEMPTIONS

Students who claim one of the following exemptions are not required to take the Success Initiative assessment test. (Students must still meet specific course placement requirements as established by UH academic departments.)

SAT* exemption: a combined verbal and mathematics score of 1070 with at least 500 on both the verbal and the mathematics sections (single test date). Scores may not be more than 5 years old at the time of exemption.
ACT exemption: a composite score of 23 with at least 19 on both the English and the mathematics sections (single test date) . Scores may not be more than 5 years old at the time of exemption.
TAKS exemption: English/Language Arts (ELA) = 2200 with a score of 3 or higher on the written essay, plus a score of 2200 on the mathematics section (exit-level TAKS). Scores may not be more than 3 years old at the time of exemption.
Degree exemption: students who have graduated with an associate or baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher education.
Course work exemption (out of state/private school transfer students): transfer students who have satisfactorily completed college-level course work as determined by the University of Houston. Contact the Academic Advising Center for details.
Non-degree seeking exemption: students who wish to take courses for personal enrichment but are not pursuing an undergraduate degree.
Military service exemption: students serving on active duty as a member of the US armed forces, the Texas National Guard, or as a member of a reserve component of the US armed forces and have been serving for at least 3 years preceding enrollment.
Prior military service exemption: students who on or after August 1, 1990, were honorably discharged, retired, or released from active duty as a member of the US armed forces, the Texas National Guard, or service as a member of a reserve component of the US armed forces.

* The name of the SAT I has recently been changed to "SAT Reasoning Test"; the name "New SAT" has been used for the version of the test administered after January 2005. The verbal portion of the New SAT has been renamed "critical reading". Both old and new total, math, and verbal/critical reading scores that are less than five years old may be used to meet TSI requirements as described here. The essay section of the New SAT may not yet be used to meet TSI requirements.

Exemption is not automatic. Documentation of exemption is required; students may be asked to provide test scores, transcripts, military documents, etc., in order to claim an exemption. Contact the UScholars Academic Advising Center for more information. The Academic Advising Center is located in the basement of the M.D. Anderson Library, accessible through the new Technology Support Services entrance on the east side of the Library, which is directly across from the University Center's west loading dock. Telephone number: 832-842-2100; fax number: 713-743-8998.

USCHOLARS: 9/08

University of Houston