"Since 1989, the Texas Higher Education Assessment® (THEA®) has provided Texas students and institutions of higher education with a flexible, fair, and accurate testing and score-reporting system. Its purpose is to assess the reading, mathematics, and writing skills that entering freshman-level students should have if they are to perform effectively in undergraduate certificate or degree programs in Texas public colleges or universities." [THEA] On the surface this looks like a reasonable alternative to the SAT and ACT scores that many universities across the country rely on for college admissions. But, is the THEA obsolete? At least for students applying to Texas public universities the answer is likely a resounding yes!

Follow up:

In an effort to diminish the effects of the Hopwood v. Texas case, the Texas State Legislature passed HB 588, commonly referred to as "The Top 10% Rule" in 1997. HB 588 guarantees admission to state-funded universities to all Texas students who gradute in the top 10% of their high school graduating class. "Because of residential segregation patterns, the policy significantly improved diversity in the Texas higher education system" [FAIR2] in the wake of the Hopwood case. Yet, while improving diversity is a goal that most people want to see achieved, this bill has kept students from competitive high schools out of the state's flagship schools despite having earned high SAT and ACT scores. In fact, SAT and ACT scores play no role in the admissions process of Texas state universities at this time.  So why, when in 2009 over 85% of freshmen entering Texas state universities had entered under the 10% rule, does the state of Texas maintain the THEA test? Until HB 588 is repealed, it seems that THEA, along with the SAT and ACT, are like gas lamps...useful perhaps, but "antiquated" and superceded by "new" ideas...at least for Texas students wishing to attend Texas universities.

Sources:

[THEA] THEA, Texas Higher Education Assesment.

[FAIR1] FairTest: The National Center for Fair and Open Testing | Texas 'Top 10%' Law Helps Increase Minority Enrollment. June 1998.

[FAIR2] FairTest: The National Center for Fair and Open Testing | Texas Maintains 'Top 10%' Admissions. July 2009.