The release of the Texas Success Initiative Assessment 2.0 will change college readiness benchmarks across the state. In our October 2020 webinar, we provided updates on the TSIA2 from experts at the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
During this webinar, we were joined by Keylan Morgan, college readiness and success specialist at the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. We also moderated a lively question and answer session with our guest speakers and heard best practices from Texas OnCourse educators. Below, we summarize key highlights from the webinar.
A quick disclaimer from the Coordinating Board: test development is in its final stage. While major changes are not anticipated, details may differ slightly from those presented here. In particular, college readiness benchmarks are subject to board approval later in the month and have not been finalized.
Though we ran out of time during the webinar for Q&A, we documented your all of your questions. Keylan and the THECB graciously provided responses to those questions. Download the full Q&A here.
If you’re looking for additional resources on the TSIA, be sure to not miss our TSIA module in the Texas OnCourse Academy. This module is found under Postsecondary Pathways > Entrance and Placement Exams. In the module, you can refresh yourself on:
Coming soon, we are releasing a new module on college readiness in partnership with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. The module, going live later this fall, will be titled “Advising All Students to be College Ready.” After completing this module, K–12 educators will be able to:
Please sign up for our email list to be notified when this module is live!
Due to the disruption in business operations, the following options are available for TSIA testing:
Test administrators using remote proctoring via VCWS (like Zoom) must ensure compliance with:
TSIA2 timeline
The new launch date for the TSIA2 is January 11, 2021. Educators who have a significant issue with this date can email Keylan Morgan for support and guidance with the transition.
TSIA2 enhancements
The TSIA2 has been enhanced in the following ways:
Accommodations
The following accommodations are automatically provided for the TSIA2:
Note: K–12 TSIA/TSIA2 test administrators must work with a partnering institution of higher education to determine accommodations. For independent TSIA2 administration by K–12 schools, THECB is working with the College Board to establish protocols and guidelines.
Required training for the TSIA2
Institutional administrators will need to participate in four required trainings for the TSIA2. These trainings are now virtual. If this is you, you need to complete all four to receive certification, and you’ll need to recertify each year. This is required for compliance if you’re an institutional administrator!
TSIA2 test experience overview
Scores from BOTH the TSIA and TSIA2 are valid for five years from testing. The testing experience will closely mirror the TSIA for your students.
Just like the TSIA, each subject area of the TSIA2 will include a college readiness classification test, or CRC. If your student does not demonstrate college readiness via the CRC, they will proceed to a diagnostic test.
Scores will operate a lot like the current assessment, though the CRC scores will likely start with a 9 rather than a 3 to prevent confusion regarding which version of the test your student took. The diagnostic test range will remain 1 through 6, and the essay will still be graded 1 through 8.
Here are a few changes to expect with the TSIA2 testing experience, scoring, and cost. Again, these changes are not finalized and may be adjusted:
The Coordinating Board is planning to provide additional documentation to the field soon. In November, you can expect test specifications. A student brochure, score interpretation document, and technical manual will be available in January 2021. The Coordinating Board is hoping to get that documentation out prior to the release of the assessment.
Please note: there has been an update to the information provided during the webinar. The blueprint will not be available until April 2021.
As always, we will keep you informed as these documents come out. Be sure you’re subscribed to both Texas OnCourse emails and THECB emails for updates.
Allison Jasso, coordinator of guidance and counseling at Brazosport ISD, joined us during the webinar to go over TSIA testing practices that have worked well in her district. These practices include:
Read our related blog for more details on admissions tests and entrance exams of all kinds.