TASP is both a test and a program to ensure Texas college students have the academic skills to be successful in college.

All students, unless otherwise exempt or waived, must participate in the TASP program.

The following are exempt or waived:

(1) Students who earned at least three hours of college-level credit prior to Fall 1989;

(2) Students enrolled in certain certificate programs are Awaived@ from the requirements as long as they maintain such enrollment;

(3) Students who already have a baccalaureate degree;

(4) Students who have ACT/SAT/ or TAAS scores which meet state approved standards;

(5) Students who are enrolled in private or out-of-state institutions and who wish to remain only for one term/semester within the DCCCD;

(6) Students who are not seeking a degree AND are at least 55 years of age;

(7) International students who are not seeking a degree;

(8) Students with either certifiable math disorders or dyslexia may be exempt when approved by The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board as only that agency may grant such an exemption; and

(9) Out-of-state students involved in official distance education courses.

Students who fail either a section of the TASP, QuickTASP, or the DCCCD Alternate Assessment test must enroll and actively participate in developmental courses related to the failed area(s) or be dropped from college-level courses. (Concurrently enrolled high school students who take and fail a section of TASP, QuickTASP or DCCCD Alternate Assessment will not be required to take developmental courses as long as they are in high school.)

Students must continue to participate in mandated developmental coursework until

(1) they pass the failed section of TASP or QuickTASP (please note that the DCCCD Alternate Assessment tests cannot be used for retesting purposes), or

(2) they have completed the required developmental coursework at which time the college may release the student from further developmental courses.

Students must meet all TASP requirements prior to receiving a certificate (if TASP is required) or degree OR before taking junior/senior courses at a Texas public university.

Students may meet the TASP requirements in several ways:

(1) Pass all sections of TASP or QuickTASP;

(2) Pass all sections of the state approved DCCCD Alternate Assessment on the initial attempt;

(3) In the exact following order, take and fail a section of TASP or QuickTASP, complete all required developmental coursework with a grade of C or better, retake and fail the same section of TASP or QuickTASP, and then take and make a B or better in an approved, related college-level course; or

(4) In the exact following order, take and fail a section of the DCCCD Alternate Assessment, complete all required developmental coursework with a grade of C or better, retest with TASP or QuickTASP and fail the same subject area originally failed on the DCCCD Alternate Assessment, and then take and make a grade of B or better in an approved, related college-level course. Students attempting to meet the requirements through the third or fourth methods must check with the college TASP Coordinator to learn of all required steps to be met.

The DCCCD Alternate Assessment and QuickTASP are offered at each DCCCD Appraisal/Testing Center throughout the year during various dates and times. Please contact your DCCCD campus Appraisal/Testing Center for specific information regarding DCCCD Alternate Assessment and QuickTASP test administration procedures. The TASP test is administered statewide at least six times a year. Students MUST register on forms available in the college Appraisal/Testing Center in order to take the TASP test. The on-time registration fee for TASP and QuickTASP is $29. A TASP study guide is available for purchase.