Enacted by the 76th Texas Legislature in 1999, the Student Success Initiative (SSI) grade advancement requirements apply to the STAAR reading test at grade 3, the reading and mathematics tests at grade 5, and the reading and mathematics tests at grade 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.