The Blinn College District and the Columbus, Fayetteville, Flatonia, Schulenburg, and Weimar ISD’s recently launched a new 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 TSIA2 (Texas Success Initiative Assessment) Winter Boot Camp the week of November 7th at Blinn College – Schulenburg Campus from 4:00 PM – 6:30 PM. November 7 & 8 will cover English Language Arts Reading (ELAR) section and November 9 & 10 will cover Math. On the last day of the camp, November 11, free TSIA2 testing will be offered for Boot Camp participants starting at 8:30 AM. Students are asked to register by November 1 by following the QR code link which is available at the ACCSS website (www.myaccs.net) and Facebook page (@ACCSS5), or they may call Sarah Nickel, the ACCSS Student Success Coach, at 979-743-5206. The TSIA2 Boot Camp and testing are being underwritten by the ACCSS grant program which is funded by the Greater Texas Foundation.
The Texas Success Initiative was enacted by Texas legislators for all public state institutions of higher education to follow. The TSI Assessment (TSIA), which may be required of all first-time entering students, will determine 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 TSI Assessment is an untimed computerized test to be taken in two sections: ELAR and Math. Full testing of both sections can take up to 4-5 hours. Students may test a single section if both sections are not needed.
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/
Through ACCSS, students will have the opportunity to choose a pathway and open the door to graduating high school with up to 60 college hours and/or associates degree 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, 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.
About ACCSS:
It is the mission of Alliance for College and Career Student Success in South Central Texas (ACCSS) is to collaborate as a partnership with rural public-school districts and institutions of higher education to provide academic and career resources, guidance and support necessary for students to complete a post-secondary or workforce career credential.
