Pathways to Persistence and SuccessPolicies and programming in support of the Texas Success Initiative

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PRE-ASSESSMENT ACTIVITIES

Pre-Assessment Activities (TAC §4.55)—No students take the TSI Assessment “cold turkey”

Activities address• Importance of assessment• Testing process and sample questions/feedback• Remediation options• Institutional and community resources

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TSI ASSESSMENTMATHEMATICS, READING, AND WRITING

• TSI Statute (51.3062) applies to new students not otherwise exempt

• Classifications• College Ready (entry-level courses)

• Developmental Education Knowledge and Skills levels - 9th to 12th grade equivalents

• Developmental Education Diagnostic, or• ABE Diagnostic Levels 5 and 6

• Adult Basic Education (ABE)Knowledge and Skills levels - 1st to 8.9th grade equivalents

• ABE Diagnostic Levels 1 to 4

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NATIONAL REPORTING LEVELS (NRS)EDUCATIONAL FUNCTIONING LEVEL DESCRIPTORS (EFLD).

NRS is an outcome based reporting system for the state-administered federally funded Adult Education program.

LEVEL 1 LEVEL 4(grade equivalency 0-1.9) (grade equivalency 6 – 8.9)

LEVEL 2 LEVEL 5(grade equivalency 2 - 3.9) (grade equivalency 9 -10.9)

DEVELOPMENTAL EDUCATION

LEVEL 3 LEVEL 6(grade equivalency 4 - 5.9) (grade equivalency 11 - 12)

DEVELOPMENTAL EDUCATION

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BACKGROUND QUESTIONS

1. Pre-Assessment Activity: Were you provided with information and/or an activity to help you understand all of the following: (1) the importance of this assessment, (2) sample questions, (3) course options, and (4) resources for students?

2. High school graduate or GED certificate: Which statement best describes your

high school status?

3. Time since credential: How long ago did you graduate from high school or receive a GED?

4. Years studied English in high school: What is the total number of years you studied English in high school? Count less than a full year as a year, but do not count a repeated year of the same course as an additional year of study.

5. Years since last math course: How long has it been since you took a mathematics course or other formal mathematics training?

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BACKGROUND QUESTIONS

6. Years studied math in high school: What is the total number of years you studied mathematics in high school? Count less than a full year as a year, but do not count a repeated year of the same course as an additional year of study.

7.Ethnic origin: How do you describe your ethnic origin?

8. Racial description: How do you describe your race?

9. International: Are you an international student?

10. Education Father/Male Guardian Revised: What is the highest level of education completed by your father or male guardian?

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BACKGROUND QUESTIONS

11. Education Mother/Female Guardian Revised: What is the highest level of education completed by your mother or female guardian?

12. Language First: What language did you learn to speak first? 13. Language Read Best: What language do you read/write best? 14. Language Speak Best: What language do you speak/understand best?

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WHAT DOES THE ASSESSMENT COVER

Mathematics

Multiple-choice assessment. Approximately 20 items on the TSI placement test and 10 items in each section of the TSI diagnostic test

• Elementary Algebra and Functions

• Intermediate Algebra and Functions

• Geometry and Measurement

• Data Analysis, Statistics and Probability

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WHAT DOES THE ASSESSMENT COVER

Reading

Multiple-choice assessment. Approximately 24 items on the TSI placement test and 10 to 12 items in each section ofthe TSI diagnostic test

• Literary Analysis

• Main Idea and Supporting Details

• Inferences in a Text or Texts

• Author’s Use of Language

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WHAT DOES THE ASSESSMENT COVER

Writing - contains a multiple-choice section and an essay section.

Multiple-choice section has approximately 20 items on theTSI placement test and 10 to 12 items in each sectionof the TSI diagnostic test

• Essay Revision

• Agreement (subject–verb agreement and pronoun agreement)

• Sentence Structure

• Sentence Logic

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WHAT DOES THE ASSESSMENT COVER

Writing - Essay

Five-paragraph persuasive essay (approximately 350–500 words) on a controversial issue or one of current interest.

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TSI ASSESSMENT – TESTING PROCESSMATHEMATICS/READING

Student takes TSI Placement Component• Meets or exceeds CR threshold? (M=350; R=351)• Yes = enrolls in credit course• No= takes Diagnostic Component• DE Diagnostic (M=336-349; R=342-350) OR• ABE Diagnostic (M=310-335; R=310-341)

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TSI ASSESSMENT DIAGNOSTIC PROFILEMATHEMATICS

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TSI ASSESSMENT DIAGNOSTIC PROFILEREADING

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TSI ASSESSMENT – TESTING PROCESSWRITING

Student takes TSI Placement Component• Meets or exceeds ABE threshold? (350)

• Yes = takes Essay component• Essay 4 and 363+ = CR (student enrolls in credit course) OR• Essay 5-8 = CR (student enrolls in credit course)• Essay 0-3 OR Essay 4 and <363 = takes DE Diagnostic

• No= takes ABE Diagnostic Component (no essay is administered)• ABE Diagnostic Results = Levels 4, 5 and 6 → takes Essay

component (see above), OR• ABE Diagnostic Results = Levels 1-3

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TSI ASSESSMENT DIAGNOSTIC PROFILEWRITING

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HOLISTIC ADVISING AND DIFFERENTIATED PLACEMENT

Based on individual strengths and needs

• TSI Assessment

• Diagnostic Profile

• HS GPA/Class Ranking

• Prior coursework

• Workplace experience

• Non-cognitive Factors (motivation, self-efficacy, etc.)

• Family-Life issues that impact persistence and success (work, transportation, finances, child care, etc.)

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ACCELERATED OPTIONS

• Integration of Developmental Education Reading and Writing (upper-level)

• Mainstreaming/Course-pairing

• Non-Course Competency-Based Options (NCBOs)

• Modular/Emporium-style delivery

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TSI RESOURCES

TSI Statute

THECB Rules

TSI/Exemptions

TSI-DE Frequently Asked Questions

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TSI ASSESSMENT RESOURCES

TSI ASSESSMENT Approved Cut Scores

TSI ASSESSMENT Test Content

TSI ASSESSMENT Background Questions

TSI ASSESSMENT Sample Test Questions

TSI ASSESSMENT WritePlacer Sample Essays

TSI ASSESSMENT Student Informational Brochure

TSI ASSESSMENT Interpreting Your Score

TSI ASSESSMENT CB Overview Blueprint

TSIA ABE Diagnostic - Level Descriptors

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THECB CONTACTS:

• Suzanne Morales-ValeDirector, Developmental and Adult Education

suzanne.morales-vale@thecb.state.tx.us (512) 427-6262

• Terri DanielsAssistant Director, Developmental Education

terri.daniels@thecb.state.tx.us (512) 427-6267

• Alan BugbeeDirector, TSI Assessment

alan.bugbee@thecb.state.tx.us (512) 427-6244

• Linda MunozDirector, Adult Education

linda.munoz@thecb.state.tx.us (512) 427-6525