2 Texas Middle School Fluency Assessment: Administering and Interpreting Results
This binder details how to score and interpret the results of the Texas Middle School Fluency Assessment (TMSFA). This course is Unit 4 of the Texas Adolescent Literacy Academy (TALA). These materials are available for view only; no credit or certificate is provided.
Texas Middle School Fluency Assessment (TMSFA)
Texas Education Code (TEC) §28.006(c-1) requires that students who do not meet the passing standard on the Grade 6 State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR) reading test must be administered a reading assessment at the beginning of grade 7. The Texas Middle School Fluency Assessment (TMSFA) was developed with Texas students to be a valid and reliable instrument for determining students’ areas of instructional need.
The TMSFA is based on valid and reliable scientific research, thoroughly measures each domain of development, and is user-friendly. The following three domains of development are assessed using the TMSFA.
- Text Comprehension (Reading)
- Word Analysis
- Fluency
Making Solutions
Given graphs, scenarios, illustrations, or descriptions, the student will determine how different processes affect solubility in aqueous solutions.
Precipitation Reactions
Given graphs, scenarios, illustrations, or descriptions, the student will determine how different processes affect solubility in aqueous solutions.
Nomenclature of Ionic Compounds
Given descriptors, diagrams. or scenarios, students will write and name the chemical formulas of common polyatomic ions and ionic compounds containing main group or transition metals and bases.
Mole Conversions
Given descriptions or chemical formula of a substance, students will convert between mass, moles, and particles for a sample of material.
Quantifying Changes in Chemical Reactions: Balancing Equations
Given descriptions or chemical formulas of the reactants and the products of chemical reactions, students will apply the law of conservation of mass and manipulate coefficients to balance chemical equations.
Motion in One Dimension
Given descriptions, illustrations, graphs, charts, or equations, students will analyze motion in one dimension.
Analyzing Two-Dimensional Motion
Given descriptions, illustrations, graphs, charts, or equations, students will analyze motion in two dimensions, including projectile and circular motion.
Electric and Magnetic Forces
Given diagrams, illustrations, or descriptions, students will identify examples of electric and magnetic forces.
Documenting Sources and Writing a Bibliography/Works Cited (English III Research )
You will learn how to cite your sources in the body of your research paper and write a works cited page according to the Modern Language Association (MLA) style manual.
Types of Motion
Students will distinguish between and/or interpret the types of motion.
Scientific Investigation and Reasoning - Safe Practices
Students will use interactive exercises to review common lab safety rules and safety symbols.
Lab Safety Equipment
Given investigation scenarios, students will select appropriate preventative safety equipment.
Scientific Investigation and Reasoning - Data Organization
Using interactive exercises, students will review how to construct tables and graphs in order to organize data.
Scientific Investigation and Reasoning - Data Analysis
Students will use interactive exercises to analyze data to identify patterns, predict trends, formulate reasonable explanations, and communicate valid conclusions.
Scientific Investigation and Reasoning - Scientific Explanations
Using interactive exercises, students will review how to evaluate a scientific explanation.
Scientific Investigation and Reasoning - Models
Using interactive exercises, students will review the three different types of models and the advantages and limitations of models.
Scientific Investigation and Reasoning - Contribution of Scientists
Using interactive exercises, students will review the contributions of scientist to various fields of scientific study.
Matter and Energy - Atomic Structure
Using interactive exercises, students will describe the structure of atoms and the locations of particles with in the atom.