The TSI test, GPA and tools for the journey Being a Successful Collegiate Academy Student Leslie Walden Collegiate Academy Counselor

What is success?

What is the TSI? The TSI Assessment is a statewide tool designed to assess a student’s skills in Math, Reading, and Writing. The TSI Assessment is designed to assist colleges with determining appropriate course placement.

Features of the TSI Aligned to the Texas College and Career Readiness Standards for Math, Reading, and Writing Multiple Choice Untimed Computer Adaptive Up to 5 hours long Scored Immediately Unlimited re-testing

TSI Sample reading question Plywood, while not the most pleasing wood to look at, has become an incredibly important building material in house construction. It is flexible, inexpensive, and strong. Its strength is due to layers of thin wood glued on top of each other with the grain of each layer making a right angle with the grain of the layer below it. This way of layering the sheets of wood makes plywood difficult to break. According to the passage, the arrangement of the layers of thin wood explains plywood’s A. Strength B. Cost C. Attractiveness D. Flexibility The correct answer is A

TSI Writing Sample Question In some places, virtually all the topsoil has washed away, leaving the sub-soils to sustain the crops. Rewrite, beginning with In some places, the sub-soils must sustain the crops… The next word will be A. although B. because C. until D. before The Correct Answer is – B

TSI Test Progression

TSI Placement Scores MATH READING WRITING- 5 on Essay or 4 on Essay with on Multiple Choice Remember It’s Not a Question of Pass or Fail This test assesses your current skill level only, not your ability, your intelligence, or even your likelihood of doing well in college. These scores are your ticket into your college classes for your 10 th, 11 th and 12 th grade years.

TSI Score Range

GCCA Students TSI Results GCCA students did an outstanding job-50% scored in the college ready range on the reading portion of the TSI.

Where can I go to get help? TCC Website: See computer based app for FREE! Great tool for TSI practice! More Practice Test Questions: Mrs. Haney will be facilitating the TSI testing and practice. More information coming soon!

GPA calculations and Class Rank

Cumulative GPA All high school courses taken in grades 9-12 will be calculated in the cumulative GPA with the exception of: Summer school courses taken between the 8th and 9th grade year Summer school courses taken for credit recovery Credit by examination, with or without prior instruction Traditional correspondence courses, with the exception of courses taken through TXVSN

Ranking GPA: To determine the top 10%, including valedictorian and salutatorian, only grades earned in English, Math, Social Studies, Science, Languages Other Than English (LOTE), and AP courses not associated with these subjects will be included in calculating the Ranking GPA.

Class Rank The district shall not calculate or report class rank except for students in the top 10% as required by law. Class rank for students in the top 10% will be provided on a certification of class rank. The lowest weighted GPA used to determine class rank for each class will be listed on each high school counseling website and will be updated at least once annually.

GPA Scale and Course Weighting

Special Course Weighting Dual credit courses will be given Pre- AP weight. Courses for which AP is a prerequisite will be given AP weight.

GPA Reporting Options Students will have three options when requesting GPA for college admissions or other GPA requests. Cumulative GPA –all courses taken in grades 9-12, except as excluded in district policy. For general reporting purposes, this is the GPA the district will use. Ranking GPA - Only courses taken in English, Math, Social Studies, Science, LOTE, AP courses not associated with these subjects. Unweighted 4.0 GPA- All courses taken in grades 9-12, except as excluded in district policy with no weight assigned.

Contact Information High School Counselor Contact: Leslie Walden, Director of Counseling Emberly Spillman:

Tools for Success

 Regularly attend ALL of their classes  Form a strong relationship with their instructors.  Plan Ahead  Follow their syllabus as a road map in your classes  Study for their tests and exams  Submit all assignments on time  Do not procrastinate.  Set goals  Are prepared for any obstacle. Students that are successful………

In order to succeed in college and in life, students need to set goals. Goals should have the following characteristics: Specific Measurable Achievable Reasonable Timely Encourage goal Setting Reach for the Stars!

 A syllabus is a contract between them and their professor.  Encourage your student to:  Note the instructors contact information, contact times and office hours, and actually CONTACT their professor.  Note the dates of major assignments.  Note the instructor's policies regarding absences, tardiness and participation.  Refer back to the syllabus before every class meeting.  Double check the syllabus before submitting any major paper or project to make sure you have met the deadline, style, length and other requirements. If any are unclear, speak to the instructor early. Successful students read and use the syllabus.

STUDY SKILLS NEEDED TO BE A SUCCESSFUL GCCA STUDENT

Create a calendar of dates. Make a “To do” list Start the “Sunday Meeting” Make sure to schedule relaxation, exercise and recreation time. Allow time to review before class. DO NOT over commit. Avoid Procrastination Sample Tuesday Schedule 8am Jog for daily exercise 10am Intro to computers 12pm Lunch 1pm Principles of Managerial Accounting 3pm Break Time 3:30pm Watch Simpsons (cartoon) 4pm Go to the Library to do homework 6pm Dinner 6:30pm Play volleyball 8pm Allsop Lab for Intro to computers homework Time Management

Monitor Grades Weekly TCC WebAdvisor- Your students will create a login in their MAPS class. This is how you check TCC grades. Check weekly with your student. Skyward Family Access

Encourage your student to: Start preparing for tests on the first day of class. Set an appointment with the professor and ask the instructor to specify the areas emphasized on the test. Form study groups with students in your class Avoid studying in noisy places. Avoid Procrastinating-study class and personal notes everyday for about minutes. Test Taking Strategies

 Break up their study sessions into manageable 45 minute segments.  Arrive at least 5 minutes before the test will start.  Read the directions carefully  Answer the questions in a strategic order. ◦ Answer easy questions first to build confidence and score points. ◦ Answer difficult questions and those with the most point values. ◦ With essay questions, outline your answer and sequence the order of your points. Test Taking Strategies continued

 Expect It-Students who expect stress handle it better.  Name It-Helping them identify the cause can help them feel less overwhelmed.  Accept It-A certain amount of stress helps us stay motivated and sometimes things work themselves out.  Tackle It- Stress does not have to define our existence. Stress Management

Breathe: Take some deep breaths. Deep breathing causes your nervous system to calm down. Power of Positive Thinking: Before you start your day silently repeat a positive self statement Allow yourself time to enjoy life. See article- Help Your Student beat the Stress. Stress Management continued

SOAR Study Skills-by Susan Krueger, The Secrets of College Success by Lynn F. Jacobs and Jeremy S. Hyman Resources