{"id":5883,"date":"2022-10-07T10:17:19","date_gmt":"2022-10-07T14:17:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/?p=5883"},"modified":"2025-05-02T09:14:25","modified_gmt":"2025-05-02T13:14:25","slug":"florida-trades-fsa-for-fast-what-it-means","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/news-blog\/florida-trades-fsa-for-fast-what-it-means\/","title":{"rendered":"FAST vs. FSA: Are the New FAST Exams Working?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Florida\u2019s shift from the Florida Standards Assessment (FSA) to the Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) has redefined statewide testing\u2014and it\u2019s no longer just theory. With several cycles of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/news-blog\/florida-fast-test-levels\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FAST results<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> now available, schools are beginning to answer the big question: is it working?<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Key Differences Between the FSA and FAST<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Assessment Frequency<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FSA<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: One high-stakes, end-of-year test.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FAST<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Three shorter progress monitoring tests (Fall, Winter, Spring).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Purpose<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FSA<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Evaluate student mastery at year\u2019s end.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FAST<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Monitor growth throughout the year to enable real-time intervention.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Standards Alignment<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FSA<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Florida Standards (based on Common Core).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FAST<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Florida\u2019s B.E.S.T. (Benchmarks for Excellent Student Thinking) Standards.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Test Design<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FSA<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Traditional format with longer assessments.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FAST<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Shorter, computer-based assessments with immediate feedback for personalized learning.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Instructional Impact<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FSA<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Data available after instruction ends.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FAST<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Data informs instruction during the school year.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Goals Behind the Shift to FAST and B.E.S.T.<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By aligning with B.E.S.T. standards and moving to a three-part model, FAST is intended to capture student learning over time\u2014not just performance at a single point. The core goals are to:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Replace Common Core with Florida-specific standards.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Promote a growth mindset by showing academic progress over time.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enable earlier interventions through frequent progress monitoring.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reduce time spent testing by up to 75%, freeing time for teaching.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Can You Compare FAST and FSA Scores?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not directly. The two systems differ in structure, scoring, and intent:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>FSA<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> scores measured a year-end snapshot of student proficiency.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>FAST<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> scores track learning growth over three points in the year.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This means while you can\u2019t compare FSA and FAST side-by-side, you <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">can<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> analyze a student\u2019s growth from PM1 to PM3 within a school year.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>The key takeaway<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: FAST data provides a clearer picture of learning <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">progress<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, even if it doesn\u2019t offer a direct link to past FSA benchmarks.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What Are the Results Saying About FAST So Far?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><b>FLDOE\u2019s Position: Positive Growth<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In Summer 2024, the Florida Department of Education shared that FAST results show improvement statewide in reading and math. The data highlights faster identification of struggling students and more effective use of intervention tools\u200b.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>National Scores Tell a More Complex Story<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While Florida performs well relative to other states, its NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress) scores have dropped slightly over time\u200b. These declines reflect national trends and complicate efforts to link FAST directly to improved long-term outcomes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Educator Perspectives: Mixed<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Groups like the Florida Education Association (FEA) have criticized FAST for:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maintaining high-stakes pressure on students and teachers.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Increasing testing frequency.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Extending computer-based testing to very young learners that may not be as familiar with the format as older students.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Still, educators who use data-driven tools like Progress Learning have seen positive changes when using FAST results to drive instruction\u200b.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>How to Prepare for the FAST: Strategies for Schools<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Use Tools That Align with B.E.S.T.: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/schools-districts\/florida\/elementary-school\/\"><span>FAST assessments reflect the B.E.S.T. standards\u2014your instruction should, too.<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Monitor Growth with Every Assessment Window: <\/b>Use platforms like Progress Learning to analyze assessment and assignment data by standards. <a href=\"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/news-blog\/holley-navarre-middle-follow-up\/\"><span>Holley-Navarre middle school<\/span><\/a><span> uses Progress Learning between each of the 3 testing windows to target specific areas where students need help, leading to improved scores.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Prioritize Individualized Intervention: <\/b>FAST works best when you respond quickly to data. <a href=\"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/our-products\/liftoff-adaptive-intervention-2-8\/\"><span>Liftoff, Progress Learning\u2019s adaptive tool<\/span><\/a><span>, allows schools to act on FAST data in real time.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Reinforce Test-Taking Skills: <\/b>Incorporate practice questions that mirror FAST formatting to build student confidence and familiarity.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FAST is a shift in both philosophy and practice. While some uncertainty remains, especially when comparing results to FSA, Florida schools can take advantage of what FAST does offer: <\/span><b>earlier insights and a clearer path to intervention<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The key is having the right support system in place to make the most of that data.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>For more insights on how to better prepare your students for the FAST exams, subscribe below.<\/strong><\/p>\n<script charset=\"utf-8\" type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"\/\/js.hsforms.net\/forms\/embed\/v2.js\"><\/script>\r\n<script>\r\n\thbspt.forms.create({\r\n\t\tregion: \"na1\",\r\n\t\tportalId: \"23272034\",\r\n\t\tformId: \"c970216b-3a79-4ad1-a9d7-920aea441c78\"\r\n\t});\r\n<\/script>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In September of 2021, Governor DeSantis announced a proposal that would end the FSA and replace it with the new Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) which aims to eradicate common core and move to a growth based, progress monitoring system. The goal behind FAST is to remove common core end of year standardized assessments and implement a progress monitoring system that facilitates individual growth and supports students in reaching their academic goals. In March of 2022, Desantis signed bill, SB 1048, to implement the new required FAST system in the 2022-23 school year.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":30,"featured_media":16889,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"Florida replaced the FSA with FAST\u2014but is it actually working? \ud83e\uddd0 Explore how these assessments differ, what the early results show, and how your school can prepare for success. #FloridaEducation #FASTassessment","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[295,17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5883","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-florida","category-news"],"acf":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Blog-FSA-VS-FAST.png","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5883","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/30"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5883"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5883\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16892,"href":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5883\/revisions\/16892"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16889"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5883"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5883"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5883"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}