MSTAR Screener

Middle School Students in Texas Algebra Ready (MSTAR) Universal Screener
The spring administration window for the Middle-School Students in Texas Algebra Ready (MSTAR) Universal Screener will be March 21, 2011 - April 22, 2011. Please review the "Spring Administration Mini-Manual." The "Spring Administration Mini-Manual" provides teachers and administrators with before, during, and after administration instructions and includes the spring administration test codes (5th - 36937; 6th - 36945; 7th - 36940; 8th - 36939).


The MSTAR Universal Screener is a formative assessment system administered to students in grades 5-8 to support instructional decisions. The content of the MSTAR Universal Screener is based on algebra-readiness skills as identified in the Texas Response to the Curriculum Focal Points. Results can help teachers identify students who are in need of additional instructional support in their development of knowledge and skills that relate directly to algebra readiness. Teachers will be able to monitor students' risk status by administering comparable forms of the MSTAR Universal Screener in fall, winter, and early spring. Schools can participate in the winter administration without having participated in the fall administration.

The MSTAR Universal Screener can be accessed through the Texas Math and Science Diagnostic System (TMSDS) at www.tmsds.org. Teachers, students, and administrators can use their 2010-2011 TMSDS usernames and passwords to access the MSTAR Universal Screener. Review the “MSTAR Universal Screener - Getting Started” document for more information on how to access the MSTAR Universal Screener.

Important documents, including the administration manual, interpretive guide, frequently asked questions, and necessary student test codes, are available under the “Program Materials” tab in the MSTAR Universal Screener portal on TMSDS. Please review these documents prior to administration. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact tmsds@region10.org or mstarscreener@tea.state.tx.us.

MSTAR Universal Screener Overview Course
TEA is also pleased to announce the launch of the Project Share course “The MSTAR Universal Screener Overview.” This course provides a brief overview of the MSTAR Universal Screener and describes how to interpret the results obtained after administering the screener to make instructional decisions. Review the “MSTAR Universal Screener Overview Course” document for more information and for steps on how to join the course.