FAST vs. FSA: Are the New FAST Exams Working?

Florida’s shift from the Florida Standards Assessment (FSA) to the Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) has redefined statewide testing—and it’s no longer just theory. With several cycles of FAST results now available, schools are beginning to answer the big question: is it working?

Key Differences Between the FSA and FAST

• Assessment Frequency:
  • FSA: One high-stakes, end-of-year test.
  • FAST: Three shorter progress monitoring tests (Fall, Winter, Spring).
• Purpose:
  • FSA: Evaluate student mastery at year’s end.
  • FAST: Monitor growth throughout the year to enable real-time intervention.
• Standards Alignment:
  • FSA: Florida Standards (based on Common Core).
  • FAST: Florida’s B.E.S.T. (Benchmarks for Excellent Student Thinking) Standards.
• Test Design:
  • FSA: Traditional format with longer assessments.
  • FAST: Shorter, computer-based assessments with immediate feedback for personalized learning.
• Instructional Impact:
  • FSA: Data available after instruction ends.
  • FAST: Data informs instruction during the school year.
    

Goals Behind the Shift to FAST and B.E.S.T.

By aligning with B.E.S.T. standards and moving to a three-part model, FAST is intended to capture student learning over time—not just performance at a single point. The core goals are to:

• Replace Common Core with Florida-specific standards.
• Promote a growth mindset by showing academic progress over time.
• Enable earlier interventions through frequent progress monitoring.
• Reduce time spent testing by up to 75%, freeing time for teaching.
  

Can You Compare FAST and FSA Scores?

Not directly. The two systems differ in structure, scoring, and intent:

• FSA scores measured a year-end snapshot of student proficiency.
• FAST scores track learning growth over three points in the year.

This means while you can’t compare FSA and FAST side-by-side, you can analyze a student’s growth from PM1 to PM3 within a school year.

The key takeaway: FAST data provides a clearer picture of learning progress, even if it doesn’t offer a direct link to past FSA benchmarks.

What Are the Results Saying About FAST So Far?

FLDOE’s Position: Positive Growth

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​.

National Scores Tell a More Complex Story

While Florida performs well relative to other states, its NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress) scores have dropped slightly over time​. These declines reflect national trends and complicate efforts to link FAST directly to improved long-term outcomes.

Educator Perspectives: Mixed

Groups like the Florida Education Association (FEA) have criticized FAST for:

• Maintaining high-stakes pressure on students and teachers.
• Increasing testing frequency.
• Extending computer-based testing to very young learners that may not be as familiar with the format as older students.

Still, educators who use data-driven tools like Progress Learning have seen positive changes when using FAST results to drive instruction​.

How to Prepare for the FAST: Strategies for Schools

• Use Tools That Align with B.E.S.T.: FAST assessments reflect the B.E.S.T. standards—your instruction should, too.

• Monitor Growth with Every Assessment Window: Use platforms like Progress Learning to analyze assessment and assignment data by standards. Holley-Navarre middle school uses Progress Learning between each of the 3 testing windows to target specific areas where students need help, leading to improved scores.

• Prioritize Individualized Intervention: FAST works best when you respond quickly to data. Liftoff, Progress Learning’s adaptive tool, allows schools to act on FAST data in real time.

• Reinforce Test-Taking Skills: Incorporate practice questions that mirror FAST formatting to build student confidence and familiarity.

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: earlier insights and a clearer path to intervention. The key is having the right support system in place to make the most of that data.

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