Florida’s FAST Test Results Show Improvement in Student Performance
Florida Education Leaders Celebrate Positive Results
The Florida Department of Education has announced the results of the 2023-2024 Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) test, and the news is encouraging. According to the results, Florida’s students have shown substantial growth throughout the school year and notable year-over-year improvement across the state.
Key Findings
- In grades 3-10 ELA, performance increased by 20 percentage points over the school year.
- In the Progress Monitoring 3 (PM3) assessment, 53% of students scored at grade level or above, compared to 33% in the Progress Monitoring 1 (PM1) assessment.
- Grades 3-8 performance in Mathematics increased by 42 percentage points from PM1 to PM3.
- In science, 53% of grade 5 students scored on or above Level 3 in 2024, a 2 percentage point increase from 2023.
Subject-Specific Results
- Biology 1: 66% of students scored at or above Level 3, a 3 percentage point increase from last year’s results.
- Statewide Algebra 1: 53% of students scored at or above Level 3.
- Geometry: 52% of students scored at or above Level 3, a 6 percentage point increase from 2023.
- Civics and U.S. History: 67% of students scored at or above Level 3, a 5-point increase from 2023.
Achievement Gap Narrowing
The results also show that the achievement gap between African American, Hispanic, and White students narrowed across multiple subjects, including ELA, Mathematics, Algebra 1, Geometry, Grade 5 Science, Grade 8 Science, Biology 1, and Civics and U.S. History.
Reactions from Education Leaders
- Florida Commissioner of Education, Manny Diaz, Jr.: "The substantial gains achieved by Florida’s students on all statewide assessments demonstrate that progress monitoring is working. I want to thank our teachers for their hard work in the classroom and the dedication of Florida’s students to growing throughout the year."
- Miami-Dade Superintendent, Dr. Jose Dotres: "I’m talking about reading, math, algebra, geometry, civics and history, in every single one of those tested areas, we showed improvement in proficiency and when we compare ourselves to the state, we surpassed or overperformed the state in the great majority of those tested areas."
- UTD President, Karla Hernández-Mats: "We, the education professionals of Miami-Dade, have surmounted every hurdle that the state government has put in our way. Now we need Miami-Dade County Public Schools and the State of Florida to step up and show their appreciation for our hard work."
Conclusion
The 2023-2024 FAST test results are a testament to the hard work and dedication of Florida’s education professionals, students, and parents. The results show that the state’s efforts to improve education are bearing fruit, and it is essential to continue building on this momentum to ensure that all students in Florida have access to high-quality education.
FAQs
Q: What is the FAST test?
A: The FAST test is a statewide assessment designed to measure student progress and growth throughout the school year.
Q: What were the key findings of the 2023-2024 FAST test results?
A: The key findings included a 20 percentage point increase in grades 3-10 ELA, a 42 percentage point increase in grades 3-8 mathematics, and narrowing of the achievement gap between African American, Hispanic, and White students.
Q: What were the subject-specific results of the 2023-2024 FAST test?
A: The subject-specific results included a 66% pass rate in Biology 1, 53% in Statewide Algebra 1, 52% in Geometry, and 67% in Civics and U.S. History.
Q: What do the results mean for education in Florida?
A: The results demonstrate that the state’s efforts to improve education are having a positive impact, and it is essential to continue building on this momentum to ensure that all students in Florida have access to high-quality education.
