To the Administrator Addressed (TAA) Correspondence
This letter announces the statewide negotiated rates for school-day administrations of the SAT, ACT, and WorkKeys beginning in fiscal year 2027 through 2036.
Under Texas Education Code (TEC), §§39.0261 and 48.155, and 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) §74.1005, eligible high school students may choose and take one approved college preparation or career readiness assessment, with the cost paid by the state. A student must take the assessment between January of grade 11 and August 31 of the year after the student graduates.
Reimbursement is limited to the statewide negotiated rate for the standard SAT or ACT; both the reading and mathematics portions of the Texas Success Initiative Assessment; or the required assessments associated with WorkKeys, ACT’s career readiness assessment. Additional charges—including writing tests, subject-area tests, and late fees—are not eligible for reimbursement.
TEA released a Request for Proposals (RFP) calling for organizations to offer a uniform, statewide rate for a universally accepted, norm-referenced college preparation assessment and/or a career readiness assessment administered on a school day.
As a result of the RFP, TEA awarded two ten-year contracts with the College Board for the SAT and with ACT Education Corp. for the ACT and WorkKeys.
| Assessment | 2026–2027 Rate |
|---|---|
| ACT State/District School Day Testing | $35 per student |
| College Board SAT School Day | $41 per student |
| WorkKeys | $14 per test $42 per student for three assessments |
For statewide negotiated rates for 2027–2028 through 2035–2036, visit the House Bill 3: College Preparation Assessment Reimbursements webpage.
As a reminder, school systems cannot receive more than one reimbursement per student. TEA provides each district estimated funding annually for assessment reimbursement, which can be found in the Summary of School Finance Report (line 40). TEA will settle up with districts in the spring of the following fiscal year once all student assessment data is processed.
Verified resources and support available through these contracts include:
For requirements, timelines, and application instructions, visit the House Bill 3: College Preparation Assessment Reimbursements webpage. For application assistance, contact TSIAReimbursements@tea.texas.gov.
For questions about the SAT, ACT, or WorkKeys contracts, contact advancedacademics@tea.texas.gov.