For this reason, if you are working to increase your CCMR Outcomes Bonuses and accountability ratings, I recommend that you have every student test on the TSIA, and additionally, have every student who intends to go to a four-year or out-of-state institution test on the SAT.
I’m a big fan of the ACT, but until the policy changes, it’s much more difficult to reach a college-ready score on the ACT in Texas than it is on the SAT or TSIA.
Why? Because an 18 or 19 on the ACT is easier to reach than a 20. And a 20 is much easier to reach than a 23. The TSIA benchmark is equivalent to reaching an 18 or 19. The SAT benchmark is equivalent to a 20. And the ACT benchmark is a 23.
I think the benchmarks should all be equal; the ACT, SAT, and TSIA should all be just as viable for districts and for students to choose for testing. But I certainly don’t make the policies. And until the policies change, if you want to optimize your CCMR outcomes, go with the TSIA, and secondarily with the SAT.