1.3 College Readiness Benchmarks, Diagnostic Profiles, Score Validity, and Retesting

College Readiness Benchmarks, Diagnostic Profiles, Score Validity, and Retesting

Quick Summary: 19 TAC §4.57 sets the TSIA2 minimum college readiness standards (cut scores) in effect since January 11, 2021, and the rule forbids institutions from raising or lowering them. Mathematics can be met on the CRC alone. ELAR always requires an essay score of at least 5. Students who do not meet a benchmark receive a diagnostic profile that advisers use for placement. Results are usable for five years, and retesting is allowed at any time, subject to availability.

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The Official Benchmarks (19 TAC §4.57)

Two points trip up many students:

1. The essay counts in ELAR no matter how high the CRC score is. An ELAR CRC of 975 with an essay score of 4 is not college ready in ELAR.
2. The diagnostic path is a real second chance, but the bars differ by subject. Math requires level 6, the top level. ELAR accepts level 5 or 6, but still needs the essay.

Worked Placement Scenarios

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Reading a Diagnostic Profile

A diagnostic profile has two parts.

1. The Diagnostic Level

The College Board test specifications tie diagnostic levels to the U.S. National Reporting System for Adult Education (NRS) Educational Functioning Levels. Five levels are reported. Level 1 is reported together with level 2.

2. Proficiency Descriptors by Strand

Each strand receives one of three descriptors, with statements about typical strengths and weaknesses:

• Basic: performance needs to improve significantly in the content area.
• Proficient: skill is demonstrated, but there is room for improvement.
• Advanced: skills in the content area are well developed.

Mathematics reports four strands: Quantitative Reasoning, Algebraic Reasoning, Geometric and Spatial Reasoning, and Probabilistic and Statistical Reasoning. ELAR reports two: Text Analysis and Synthesis and Content Revision and Editing for Conventions.

The report also includes a Learning Locator Code. It opens free TSIA2 Learning Resources matched to the student's results.

The Essay Score

The essay receives one holistic score from 1 to 8, plus feedback on six dimensions: purpose and focus, organization and structure, development and support, sentence variety and style, mechanical conventions, and critical thinking. An essay that is too short to evaluate, off topic, or not written in English receives a zero.

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How Institutions Use the Results

For students who do not meet a standard, institutions must use the TSIA2 diagnostic results together with other holistic factors to choose courses or interventions. THECB's placement rules list factors such as:

• High school grade point average or class ranking.
• Prior academic coursework and workplace experience.
• Non-cognitive factors such as motivation and self-efficacy.
• Family-life issues such as work, childcare, transportation, and finances.

The institution also considers the student's intended major. Chapter 1.4 explains the developmental education and corequisite options that follow.

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Score Validity

THECB states that all TSI assessment results (TSIA and TSIA2) can be used for up to five years from the date of testing. A college-ready result earned at one Texas public institution is honored by others. The rules exempt a student who was found college ready at a previous institution. Students can view results in the TSIA2 Student Portal and send them to Texas public institutions from there.

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Retesting

• When: Students may retake TSIA2 at any time, subject to availability. THECB's brochures strongly recommend studying first, because scores are unlikely to change much otherwise. Retest fees and scheduling are set by each testing center.
• Mathematics: A retest starts with the Math CRC again, and the diagnostic follows if the student is routed there.
• ELAR (THECB protocol effective September 9, 2024):
  • For undergraduates, the initial ELAR administration must include both components: the CRC (with the diagnostic as applicable) and the Essay.
  • Later ELAR attempts may be standalone: "CRC only" (with the diagnostic as applicable) or "Essay only."
  • If only one component was passed on the initial attempt, only the component not passed must be retested.
  • High school students may take the ELAR components separately even on the initial attempt. College readiness still requires passing scores on both components.

Example: A college applicant earns ELAR CRC 952 and Essay 4 on the first attempt. After practicing essay writing, the student may retest the essay alone. An essay score of 5 or higher then completes ELAR readiness, because the CRC component was already passed.