Student Success Initiative (SSI)

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Enacted by the 76^th Texas Legislature in 1999 and modified by the 81^st Texas Legislature in 2009, the Student Success Initiative (SSI) grade advancement requirements apply to the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) reading and mathematics tests at grades 5 and 8.

As specified by these requirements, a student may advance to the next grade level only by passing these tests or by unanimous decision of his or her grade placement committee that the student is likely to perform at grade level after additional instruction.

The goal of the SSI is to ensure that all students receive the instruction and support they need to be academically successful in reading and mathematics. This effort depends greatly on schools, parents, and community members working in partnership to meet individual student needs.

A number of materials have been developed to help schools implement the SSI grade advancement requirements. These materials are available at this website in a format that facilitates downloading and editing for local use. When modifying these materials, schools should be careful to include all the components required by the grade advancement law and commissioner’s rules.

Grade Placement Committee Manual

2010–2011 Grade Placement Committee Manual (posted 12/09/10)

Sample Forms and Letters

The Grade Placement Committee (GPC) forms and notification letters are provided in both English and Spanish to help districts communicate with parents in their native language. Click on a link below to see a list of sample forms and letters for the selected grade and subject.

General Use Forms

Grade 5 Reading (English) | Grade 5 Reading (Spanish) | Grade 5 Mathematics (English) | Grade 5 Mathematics (Spanish)

Grade 8 Reading (English) | Grade 8 Reading (Spanish) | Grade 8 Mathematics (English) | Grade 8 Mathematics (Spanish)

A Parent Guide to the Student Success Initiative

Grade 5 (English) (posted 07/22/10) | Grade 5 (Spanish) (posted 07/28/10)

Grade 8 (English) (posted 07/22/10) | Grade 8 (Spanish) (posted 07/28/10)

Flowcharts for Grade Advancement Requirements for Students Enrolled in SSI Grades and Subjects

General Education Students Taking TAKS (posted 10/01/09)
Students Receiving Special Education Services Taking TAKS or TAKS (Accommodated) (posted 10/01/09)
Students Receiving Special Education Services Taking TAKS–M (posted 10/01/09)

Related Resources

Approved Substitute Assessments for the SSI (posted 06/23/10)
Expedited Waiver Related to the Timeline for New Accelerated Instruction Requirements (posted 07/09/10)