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The Texas Success Initiative (TSI) is mandated by Texas law to ensure that students enrolled in Texas public colleges possess the academic skills needed to perform effectively in college-level coursework. TSI includes a testing component designed to identify and provide diagnostic information about the reading, mathematic and writing skills of each student.
Note: All students subject to the TSI requirement must take the THEA test. If the THEA test is required, the scores must be received by Lamar University before advising and registration.
A student is exempt from the THEA test only if the following conditions are met:
- ACT compositie score of 23 or higher with inidividual math and English scores of no less than 19. Scores cannot be more than 5 years old and must have been taken in one sitting.
- SAT composite score of 1070 or higher with inidividual math and English scores of no less than 500 (recentered scale for tests taken April 1995 and later) or for tests taken prior to April 1995, a combined verbal and math score of 970 with a minimum of 420 on the verbal test and 470 on the mathematics test. Scores cannot be more than 5 years old and must have been taken in one sitting.
- Texas Assessment of Academic Skills (TAAS) minimum scale score of 1770 on the reading, mathematics and writing tests, or for tests taken for spring Admissions at Lamar University in 1994 and thereafter, a Texas Learning Index (TLI) of 86 on the mathematics test and 89 on the reading test. Scores cannot be more than 3 years old and students must obtain scores high enough to warrant an exemption on their first attempt of the TAAS, not on repeated attempts.
- Associate or Baccalaureate degree
- Transfered from a private or independent institution of higher education or an accredited out of state insitution of higher edcuation with completed coursework of at least 6 equivalent credit hours (3 alegbra, 3 designated reading/writing courses) with a grade of C or better.
- Transferred from any public Texas Insitution of higher learning with completed requirements for Success Initiative.
- Not seeking a degree or Level Two certificate
- Currently serving on active duty as a member of the armed forces of the United States, including the Texas National Guard.
- Honorably discharged, retired or released from active duty as a member of the armed forces of the United States or the Texas National Guard or member of a reserve, on or after August 1, 1990.
If, after taking the THEA test, there are deficiencies in reading, mathematics, or writing skills, the student is required, by state law, to participate in a developmental program in the area of the deficiency. Students who fail to take the THEA test will not be permitted to enroll in any other Texas public higher education institution in any courses other than non-credit or pre-collegiate courses until they have taken the THEA test. Pre-collegiate courses, such as remedial reading, writing and mathematics, are not counted in calculating the credit hours for meeting the testing requirements.
For information on who must take the THEA examination, the best time to take the THEA examination and to obtain a copy of the THEA Registration Bulletin and the official THEA Study Guide, contact the Office of Development Studies, 110 ROTC Building. For further information on Texas Success Initiative requirements and the development programs, see pages 56 and 57 of the General Catalog or contact the office of Developmental Studies at (409) 880-8954.
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