Helping Students Meet College Readiness Standards
The goal of the College Readiness program is to increase the number of high school students eligible to take college-level coursework before graduation. In order to avoid developmental courses, and be eligible to take college-level classes, students must meet the Texas Success Initiative’s (TSI) College Readiness Standards.
College Readiness staff and tutors advise and provide academic support to juniors and seniors who have not met the TSI College Readiness Standards.
Our College Readiness Team:
· helps high school students prepare for college placement exams by providing academic support in reading, writing, and math
· works with students grouped by their specific academic needs
· works alongside school faculty, and APIE staff
· brings relevance and insight to the college experience
· increases the likelihood of students’ success!
Frequently Asked Questions
What exams are students preparing for?
What are the TSI College Readiness Standards?
The College Readiness program targets students that have not met the Texas Success Initiative’s (TSI) College Readiness Standards.
The Texas Success Initiative is a state-legislated program designed to improve student success in college. Students entering college must meet the College Readiness Standards in math, reading and writing to be eligible for college-level courses at any public college or university in Texas.
In order to be College Ready, students need to score a 2200 on their exit-level English Language Arts (ELA) and Math TAKS tests and a 3 on the essay portion. (In order to pass TAKS for graduation, students only need a 2100 on the ELA and Math and a 2 on the essay). Students that do not become College Ready through TAKS can also meet the standard through SAT, ACT, ASSET, COMPASS, THEA, and/or ACCUPLACER.
Students may be required to take developmental courses when they enter college if they do not meet State-approved scores.
Students that do not meet the College Readiness Standards may be required to take developmental classes when they enter college. Developmental classes do not count for college credit, often have to be taken before students can enroll in college-level classes, can delay graduation, and statistically are a leading indicator for college drop-out.
What exams are students preparing for?
Students in the College Readiness Program are preparing to take the ASSET or COMPASS test. The ASSET and COMPASS were created by ACT, and are used by colleges and universities across the nation as placement exams.
What other services are provided to the high school students through the College Readiness Program?
In addition to academic support, the College Readiness program also provides awareness through parent letters, parent phone calls, presentations to students and faculty, announcements, posters and other marketing materials.
The College Readiness team also provides advising for juniors and seniors that have not met the College Readiness Standard.
Program Contacts:
Paige Elijah Kelly
“I liked that the tutors were able to relate the subject to real life and make it interesting. They always gave me great advice I could not get from my family members because [the volunteer] went to college. I know I can go to them whenever I need help.” --College Readiness Student
