The Texas Success Initiative was enacted by Texas legislators for all public state institutions of higher education. The TSI Assessment (TSIA) evaluates students’ readiness for college-level coursework in reading, writing, and mathematics. Students participating in dual credit classes must meet the minimum passing standards to enroll. The Blinn College District and the Columbus, Fayetteville, Flatonia, Schulenburg, and Weimar ISD’s recently launched a partnership designed to increase high school dual credit completion and establish seamless pathways toward postsecondary awards and industry credentials. The Alliance for College and Career Student Success (ACCSS) in South-Central Texas partners collaborate to advise students regarding their college and career pathways, including technical and career training options.
ACCSS will be offering a FREE TSIA Boot Camp the week of June 12th at Blinn College – Schulenburg Campus. Students who have recently graduated from 8th grade along with current high school students from partner ACCSS schools who are considering taking dual credit classes are encouraged to attend. Additionally, graduating high school seniors from ACCSS schools who are still needing to show college readiness to help determine which classes they will qualify to enroll in next Fall are invited. The Boot Camp will cover English Language Arts and Reading (ELAR) on June 12-14 and Math on June 15-16. Instruction will run 9 AM – 11:30 AM. On the last day of each mini-camp (June 14th and June 16th), lunch will be provided and students are encouraged to stay on campus to take the coordinating TSIA2 test at no charge. The TSIA2 Boot Camp and testing are being underwritten by the ACCSS grant program which is funded by the Greater Texas Foundation.
Students may be exempt or waived from testing by meeting minimum score requirements in several testing areas: ACT, SAT, STAAR EOC, or previous coursework. Additionally, if you have a documented disability and need test accommodations, these may be provided by your high school or by Blinn Office for Students with Disabilities. More information may be found at https://www.blinn.edu/testing/tsi/index.html.
Through ACCSS, students will have the opportunity to choose a pathway and open the door to earning college hours and/or certificate(s) that will help them acquire a job in a high demand, high paying field. The pathways they will have to choose from initially include: 42 Texas Core Curriculum, Allied Health/Nursing, Construction & Building Trades, Welding, Teaching, and Agri-Business. The TSIA2 test is only required for students interested in participating in academic dual credit classes. It is not required for students participating in technical dual credit classes. The goal of ACCSS is to increase access to these opportunities for all students. With the cooperation of partner schools and the support of community investors, transportation and cost of fees and tuition will not be a barrier to students enrolling. This opportunity will enhance the future of any student willing to step up to the challenge. For more information, please contact Susie Shank, Director, at the Blinn College-Schulenburg Campus at 979-743-5239 or susie.shank@blinn.edu.
