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
Compare and Contrast Similar Themes Across Time Periods (English II Reading)
You will be able to compare and contrast similar themes from different genres and different time periods.
Origins and Meanings of Foreign Words and Phrases (English II Reading)
You will become acquainted with the origins and meanings of foreign words and phrases frequently used in English texts.
Reference Materials (e.g., dictionaries, thesauri, glossaries) Printed and Electronic (English II Reading)
You will learn how to use dictionaries, glossaries, and thesauri in order to determine meanings of words and phrases, including their denotations, connotations, and etymologies.
Meter and Rhyme (English II Reading)
You will learn to analyze the meter, rhyme scheme, line length, punctuation, and word position in poetry.
Archetypes, Motifs, and Plot in Drama (English II Reading)
You will understand and analyze how archetypes and motifs in drama affect the plot of plays.
Syntax (English II Reading)
You will be able to evaluate the role of syntax in literary non-fiction such as speeches, essays, and other forms.
Evaluate a Text for its Graphics and Visual Appeal (English II Reading)
You will be able to evaluate a text for the clarity and appeal of its graphics.
Synthesize Information in Charts and Graphs (English II Reading)
You will be able to synthesize information that you find in charts and graphs.
Close Reading of Prose: Practice 2 (English II Reading)
You will read carefully in order to identify diction, tone, and irony, and evaluate their impact on the meaning of a text.
Close Reading of Poetry: Practice 3 (English II Reading)
You will read carefully in order to identify allusion, imagery, metaphor, and symbolism, and evaluate their impact on the meaning of a text.
Capitalization (English II Writing)
You will learn proofreading techniques to use in checking for correct capitalization.
Spelling (English II Writing)
You will learn proofreading techniques to use in checking for correct spelling.
Strategies for Editing: Practice Lesson 1
You will proofread and mark errors in spelling, capitalization, and punctuation.
Analyze an Argument: Practice 1 (English II Reading)
You will be able to analyze the quality, relevance, and credibility of evidence that supports or opposes an argument.
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.
Understand New Vocabulary Using Roots and Affixes (English 7 Reading)
You will learn how to determine the meaning of grade-level academic English words derived from Latin, Greek, or other linguistic roots and affixes.
Explain the Influence of the Setting on Plot Development in Literary Text/Fiction (English 7 Reading)
You will learn how the setting in a story can influence the development of the plot.
Analyze Point of View in Literary Texts/Fiction (English 7 Reading)
You will learn how to analyze different points of view, including first person, third-person omniscient, and third-person limited.
Understanding Drama (English 7 Reading)
You will learn how to explain a playwright’s use of dialogue and stage directions.