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
Module 2: Developing Function Foundations
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Module 3: Investigating Growth and Decay
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Algebra I - Module 1, Topic 2: Sequences
In this topic, students explore sequences represented as lists of numbers, in tables of values, by equations, and as graphs on the coordinate plane. Students move from an intuitive understanding of patterns to a more formal approach of representing sequences as functions. In the final lesson of the topic, students are introduced to the modeling process. Defined in four steps—Notice and Wonder, Organize and Mathematize, Predict and Analyze, and Test and Interpret—the modeling process gives students a structure for approaching real-world mathematical problems.
Algebra I - Module 1, Topic 3: Linear Regressions
In this topic, students focus on the patterns that are evident in certain data sets and use linear functions to model those patterns. Using the informal knowledge of lines of best fit that was built in previous grades, students advance their statistical methods to make predictions about real-world phenomena. They differentiate between correlation and causation, recognizing that a correlation between two quantities does not necessarily mean that there is also a causal relationship. At the end of this topic, students will synthesize what they have learned to decide whether a linear model is appropriate.
Using Theoretical and Experimental Probability to Make Predictions
Given an event to simulate, the student will use theoretical probabilities and experimental results to make predictions and decisions.
Using Multiplication by a Constant Factor
Given problems involving proportional relationships, the student will use multiplication by a constant factor to solve the problems.
Predicting, Finding, and Justifying Data from a Table
Given data in table form, the student will use the data table to interpret solutions to problems.
Interpreting Scatterplots
Given scatterplots that represent problem situations, the student will determine if the data has strong vs weak correlation as well as positive, negative, or no correlation.
Making Predictions and Critical Judgments (Table/Verbal)
Given verbal descriptions and tables that represent problem situations, the student will make predictions for real-world problems.
Collecting Data and Making Predictions
Given an experimental situation, the student will write linear functions that provide a reasonable fit to data to estimate the solutions and make predictions.
Determining the Domain and Range for Quadratic Functions
Given a situation that can be modeled by a quadratic function or the graph of a quadratic function, the student will determine the domain and range of the function.
Determining the Domain and Range for Quadratic Functions: Restricted Domain/Range
Given a situation that can be modeled by a quadratic function or the graph of a quadratic function, the student will determine restrictions as necessary on the domain and range of the function.
Analyzing the Effects of the Changes in "a" on the Graph y = ax^2 + c
Given verbal, graphical, or symbolic descriptions of the graph of y = ax^2 + c, the student will investigate, describe, and predict the effects on the graph when a is changed.