Texas Senate Bill SB 2788

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

• Filed: 3/14/25
• Out of Senate Committee: 4/16/25
• Voted on by Senate: 4/24/25

Caption

Relating to an exemption from the assessment requirements of the Texas Success Initiative for students who achieve certain scores on the PSAT or PreACT.

Summary

SB 2788 would expand the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) exemption for incoming undergraduate students by recognizing qualifying scores on the PSAT and PreACT, in addition to the SAT and ACT. Under current law, students who meet a board-set score on certain college-readiness exams can be exempt from TSI assessment requirements; this bill broadens the list of accepted tests and keeps the exemption valid for five years after the test date. The bill also clarifies the definition of “student” for this subchapter to include students enrolling in an institution of higher education in a certificate, degree, or other undergraduate credential program, as well as dual credit students. The change would apply beginning with assessment of entering undergraduate students for the 2025 fall semester, with earlier assessments governed by prior law.

Impact

The bill would amend Sections 51.331 and 51.338 of the Education Code, affecting how public institutions of higher education determine whether incoming students must undergo TSI developmental assessment or remediation. By adding PSAT and PreACT scores as qualifying exemptions, the bill could reduce the number of students subject to additional placement testing and potentially speed entry into college-level coursework, including dual credit pathways. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board would continue to set the qualifying score thresholds.

Sentiment

The available record suggests generally favorable or noncontroversial treatment of the bill, with no committee transcript opposition provided and no recorded yea/nay vote totals on the listed actions. The bill advanced to third reading in the Senate, indicating legislative support, but the House committee status shows the meeting was cancelled, so the final disposition in the House context appears unresolved in the materials provided.

Contention

The main policy question is whether PSAT and PreACT scores should be treated the same as SAT and ACT scores for exempting students from TSI assessment requirements. Supporters would likely view the bill as a college-readiness and access measure that reduces redundant testing for students who have already demonstrated readiness on nationally recognized exams. Potential concerns, though not documented in the transcripts here, could involve whether the additional exams are sufficiently aligned with college readiness standards and whether expanding exemptions might affect placement accuracy or developmental education enrollment.