As used in sentence 14, “touching” most nearly means emotionally stirring physically contacting gently handling closely related

The author’s attitude toward the actor is best described as indifferent generous critical amused

Which of the following is equivalent to x 2 – 5 x – 24? ( x – 8)( x + 3) ( x – 3)( x + 8) ( x – 4)( x + 6) ( x – 6)( x + 4)

For Better TSIA2 Scores, STAARt Early

March 25, 2024

The new, stricter requirements for achieving a CCMR letter grade A have Texas school administrators re-examining how they prepare students for the TSIA2.

With MasteryPrep’s TSIA2 curriculum and TSIA2 online courses, your students can make significant gains. But if you want to sustain year-over-year score gains and boost CCMR outcomes, it starts with STAAR.

Standard Standards

It’s no surprise TSIA2 content categories and subcategories directly align to English I, English II, and Algebra I TEKS. What may be surprising is just how much overlap exists.

Nine of the 25 TSIA2 content subcategories tie in to one or more Algebra I TEKS. What’s more, another eight content subcategories are related to Pre-Algebra and other mathematical prerequisites of the Algebra I TEKS. Less than one-third of the subcategories relate to Geometry. Students who struggle with Algebra I will struggle with the TSIA2 for many of the same reasons.

When it comes to the TSIA2 ELAR content subcategories, the overlap is even clearer and more compelling: 100% of the TSIA2 ELAR content subcategories have both an English I and English II TEKS analog.

TSIA2 Math Content Subcategory/TEKS Crosswalk

TSIA2 Content Category	TSIA2 Content Subcategory	TEKS
Quantitative Reasoning	Perform basic math operations with whole numbers and integers, decimals, and fractions
Quantitative Reasoning	Round numbers to a given decimal place
Quantitative Reasoning	Compare numbers in a variety of forms, including decimals, fractions, and percents	A.1.F
Quantitative Reasoning	Use quantitative reasoning to compare magnitudes of rational and irrational numbers
Quantitative Reasoning	Use quantitative reasoning to solve problems with ratios, proportions, and percents
Quantitative Reasoning	Use quantitative reasoning to solve problems in context (e.g., linear relationships in financial literacy and numeracy)	A.1.A
Quantitative Reasoning	Identify, manipulate, and interpret linear equations, inequalities, and expressions	A.1.A
Algebraic Reasoning	Solve linear equations, inequalities, and systems of linear equations	A.2.D, A.2.I, A.3.C, A.3.D, A.5.A, A.5.C
Algebraic Reasoning	Evaluate linear functions	A.2.D, A.12.B, A.12.E
Algebraic Reasoning	Use quantitative reasoning to solve problems in context (e.g., exponential decay/growth, compound interest, and depreciation)	A.8.A, A.9.B, A.10.A, A.10.B, A.10.D, A.10.E, A.10.F, A.11.A, A.11.B
Algebraic Reasoning	Identify and manipulate quadratic, polynomial, exponential, rational, and radical equations and expressions	A.10
Algebraic Reasoning	Solve equations and evaluate functions (e.g., quadratic, polynomial, exponential, rational, and radical)	A.6.C, A.7.C, A.8.A, A.9.B, A.9.C, A.9.D
Geometric and Spatial Reasoning	Identify common units of measurement
Geometric and Spatial Reasoning	Identify and define types of angles	G.5.A, G.5.C
Geometric and Spatial Reasoning	Use quantitative reasoning to convert units within systems of measurement	A.1.A
Geometric and Spatial Reasoning	Find perimeter, area, surface area, and volume using a variety of methods, including estimation	G.10.B, G.11.A, G.11.D
Geometric and Spatial Reasoning	Use transformations to investigate congruence, similarity, and symmetry	G.7.A, G.7.B
Geometric and Spatial Reasoning	Apply right triangle relationships and basic trigonometry	G.9
Geometric and Spatial Reasoning	Make connections between geometry and algebraic equations	G.10.B, G.11.A
Probabilistic and Statistical Reasoning	Sort and count data
Probabilistic and Statistical Reasoning	Construct simple graphs and tables
Probabilistic and Statistical Reasoning	Use quantitative reasoning to compute and interpret probability	S.5.A
Probabilistic and Statistical Reasoning	Use quantitative reasoning to compute and describe measures of center and spread of data	S.9.B
Probabilistic and Statistical Reasoning	Classify data and construct appropriate representations of data
Probabilistic and Statistical Reasoning	Analyze, interpret, and draw conclusions from data	S.2.E

TSIA2 ELAR Content Subcategory/TEKS Crosswalk

TSIA2 Content Category	TSIA2 Content Subcategory	English I TEKS	English II TEKS
Literary Text Analysis	Explicit Information	E1.4.G	E2.4.G
Literary Text Analysis	Inferences	E1.4.F	E2.4.F
Literary Text Analysis	Author's Craft	E1.8.A, E1.A.D	E2.8.A, E2.A.D
Literary Text Analysis	Vocabulary	E1.2.B	E2.2.B
Informational Text Analysis and Synthesis	Main ideas and supporting details	E1.4.G	E2.4.G
Informational Text Analysis and Synthesis	Inferences	E1.4.F	E2.4.F
Informational Text Analysis and Synthesis	Author's Craft	E1.8.A, E1.A.D	E2.8.A, E2.A.D
Informational Text Analysis and Synthesis	Vocabulary	E1.2.B	E2.2.B
Informational Text Analysis and Synthesis	Synthesis	E1.4.H	E2.4.H
Essay Revision and Editing	Development	E1.9.B.ii	E2.9.B.ii
Essay Revision and Editing	Organization	E1.9.B.i	E2.9.B.i
Essay Revision and Editing	Effective language use	E1.9.C	E2.9.C
Essay Revision and Editing	Standard English conventions	E1.9.D	E2.9.D
Sentence Revision, Editing, and Completion	Conventions of grammar	E1.9.D.i, E1.9.D.ii, E1.9.D.iii	E2.9.D.i, E2.9.D.ii, E2.9.D.iii
Sentence Revision, Editing, and Completion	Conventions of usage	E1.9.C	E2.9.C
Sentence Revision, Editing, and Completion	Conventions of punctuation	E1.9.D.v	E2.9.D.v
Sentence Revision, Editing, and Completion	Conventions of spelling and capitalization	E1.9.D.iv, E1.9.D.vi	E2.9.D.iv, E2.9.D.vi
Sentence Revision, Editing, and Completion	Purpose and organization	E1.9.C	E2.9.C
Sentence Revision, Editing, and Completion	Sentence combining	E1.9.D.i	E2.9.D.i

STAAR and TSIA2 Items

The overlap goes beyond standards. TSIA2 questions are often slightly more rigorous versions of their STAAR EOC cousins. And in many cases, there is no discernible difference between the items at all.

Here is an example of rigor building slightly from STAAR EOC to TSIA2:

STAAR Algebra I EOC:

What is the solution to this system of equations?

2x + y = 40
x – 2y = -20

A. (12, 16)
B. (15, 17.5)
C. There is no solution.
D. There are an infinite number of solutions.

TSIA2 Math:

x + 3y = 5
2x + 6y = 7

The system of equations above has how many solutions?

None
One
Two
Infinitely many

Although the STAAR EOC question gives a nod to finding the number of solutions, the pathway to answer these questions involves solving the system, which is generally taught in earlier grades. Students who have mastered the STAAR Algebra I question will be ready for the TSIA2 math question.

Below is a case where the difference in rigor is indistinguishable. You tell me which one is the TSIA2 item. (I removed the letters from the STAAR EOC choices to not give it away.)

Question 1

Which value of x is the solution to this equation?

5x² = 30x – 45

x = 3
x = -3
x = 5
x = -5

Question 2

If y² = 14y – 49, what is the value of y?

-7
^-7⁄₂
⁷⁄₂
7

The TSIA2 question is…
Drumroll please…
Scroll…
Scroll…

Question 2.
But you can’t be blamed if you didn’t identify it. The questions are comparable. If anything, the STAAR Algebra I question is a bit tougher because it gives x2 a coefficient.

Let’s play the game again, this time with TSIA2 ELAR and STAAR English I and English II exemplars.

Question A

Which of the following is the best way to revise and combine the sentences below?

Democratic government was established in the 1970s. Then, more actions were taken to preserve Catalan.

Democratic government was established in the 1970s, more actions were taken, and Catalan was preserved.
Democratic government was established in the 1970s, and they took more actions to preserve Catalan.
In the 1970s, more actions were taken to preserve Catalan because democratic government was established.
After democratic government was established in the 1970s, more actions were taken to preserve Catalan.

Question B

(10) Because they are so large, the mammoths likely would have struggled to climb out of the ravine in time. (11) That would have made it hard to survive the sudden flooding.

What is the most effective way to combine sentences 10 and 11?

Because they are so large, the mammoths likely would have struggled climbing out of the ravine in time surviving the sudden flooding.
Because they are so large, the mammoths likely would have struggled to climb out of the ravine in time, surviving the sudden flooding.
Because they are so large, the mammoths likely would have struggled to climb out of the ravine in time, and to survive the sudden flooding.
Because they are so large, the mammoths likely would have struggled to climb out of the ravine in time to survive the sudden flooding.

Which item belongs to each test?

Click to Reveal the Answer

Question 1 is a TSIA2 exemplar, while Question 2 is from a released STAAR English I test.

One Path to Mastery

The similarities between the tests mean that the STAAR EOC and the TSIA2 do not represent two distinct pathways for student achievement but rather one continuum. When you make progress on your STAAR EOC outcomes in Algebra I, English I, and English II, you are directly impacting your future TSIA2 scores.

Click below to expand and view more item examples.

STAAR EOC/TSIA2 Item Examples

Vocabulary Items

STAAR EOC:

In paragraph 5, what does the word meandered mean?

F. Gathered occasionally
G. Roamed aimlessly
H. Traveled frequently
J. Stopped abruptly

TSIA2:

As used in sentence 14, “touching” most nearly means

emotionally stirring
physically contacting
gently handling
closely related

In both questions, students must gather the meaning of the word as it is used in context. The TSIA2 question is a more rigorous version, however, because there are more appealing distractors.

Author’s Craft Items

STAAR EOC:

Which word best describes the overall tone of the selection “Why I Write Longhand”?

F. Playful
G. Sarcastic
H. Regretful
J. Reflective

TSIA2:

The author’s attitude toward the actor is best described as

indifferent
generous
critical
amused

Development Items

STAAR EOC:

Zendaya would like to add another detail in the fifth paragraph (sentences 20-24).

Although the temperatures were only slightly different, the changes may have greatly affected rainfall, soil, and plant and animal growth, ultimately leading to the mammoths’ death.

Where is the best place to insert this sentence?

A. After sentence 20
B. After sentence 22
C. After sentence 23
D. After sentence 24

TSIA2:

In context, where would the following sentence best be placed?

The 1993 Constitution made Catalan equivalent to Spanish in Catalonia, and superintendents report that they have thoroughly improved Catalan instruction in grade schools.

After sentence 1
After sentence 6
After sentence 10
After sentence 14

Functions Items

STAAR EOC:

TSIA2:

Polynomial Expressions Items

STAAR EOC:

Which function is equivalent to k(x) = x² + 2x – 15?

F. k(x) = (x + 15)(x – 1)
G. k(x) = (x + 1)(x – 15)
H. k(x) = (x + 5)(x – 3)
J. k(x) = (x + 3)(x – 5)

TSIA2 Question:

Which of the following is equivalent to x² – 5x – 24?

(x – 8)(x + 3)
(x – 3)(x + 8)
(x – 4)(x + 6)
(x – 6)(x + 4)

Item exemplar sources: English I, English II, Algebra I 2022, Algebra I 2021. TSIA2 items are curated from MasteryPrep content and are emulations of real TSIA2 exemplars.

The Power of AND

If STAAR EOC items and TEKS standards are so similar to TSIA2 items and content subcategories, why should they be addressed separately? Surely, a comprehensive approach to improving outcomes on both tests will be more likely to get you the outcomes you want.

When your students prepare for the STAAR EOC using MasteryPrep’s STAAR EOC curriculum and STAAR EOC online courses, they’re not only improving their STAAR scores. They’re setting the stage for better TSIA2 scores and college readiness.

That’s why MasteryPrep Ready includes a powerful suite of resources and reports that help you improve both your STAAR EOC and TSIA2 scores, all in one easy-to-use platform.

About MasteryPrep:

MasteryPrep provides mastery-based college readiness services and resources for the SAT®, ACT®, TSIA2, EOC, and WorkKeys®. MasteryPrep is the nationally preferred SAT and ACT prep provider of the Council for Opportunity in Education and licensed by ACT to include official ACT test questions in its programs. MasteryPrep partners with schools and districts to help level the standardized assessment playing field. MasteryPrep has ranked among the Inc. 5000 “Fastest Growing Companies” for six years and is a featured “Entrepreneur 360” company.

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