We know FAST scores can be confusing, and we can help. Parents often receive their child’s FAST scores from school at certain times of the year. Because these scores can be hard to understand, it can also be difficult to know what to do with the information. Here’s what to know about FAST assessments and what your child’s score could mean.
What Is the FAST Assessment?
FAST stands for “Formative Assessment System for Teachers.” FastBridge Learning created this system of assessments, and schools use it for screening, progress monitoring, and data reporting in reading, math, behavior, and early development. Every FAST assessment includes computer-based components, so students complete activities directly on a computer while teachers use online forms to score and enter student responses.
The grade levels and test names below can vary by school and district, so check with your child’s teacher for the exact tests your child takes.
Types of FAST Reading Assessments
FAST earlyReading Assessment
Proctors typically give the earlyReading assessment individually to students in kindergarten and 1st grade. As the student completes the assessment, the proctor marks their responses electronically.
FAST aReading Assessment
Students in many grades take the aReading assessment, which measures concepts of print, phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, and comprehension. This computer-based assessment includes about 30 questions.
FAST CBMreading Assessment
Students in the early and middle grades take the CBMreading assessment. During this test, a teacher listens to a student read aloud for one minute while recording errors, which measures both rate and accuracy.
Types of FAST Math Assessments
FAST earlyMath Assessment
Students in kindergarten and 1st grade typically take the earlyMath assessment individually, and the proctor marks their responses electronically as they complete it.
FAST aMath Assessment
Students in many grades take the aMath assessment, which measures counting and cardinality, operations and algebraic thinking, number and operations, measurement and data, and geometry. This computer-based assessment includes about 30 to 60 questions.
FAST CBMmath Assessment
Students in the early and middle grades take the CBMmath assessment, which includes three separate measures:
- CBMmath automaticity: This measure looks at a student’s fluency with math facts, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Students complete it on a computer.
- CBMmath process: This measure looks at the process a student uses to complete multi-step math problems. Students complete this test on paper, and the teacher scores it online afterward.
- CBMmath Concepts and Applications (CAP): This measure looks broadly at a student’s overall math skill and their ability to solve complex, multi-step problems. Skills range from computation and fact fluency to multi-step algebra, and the student completes as many problems as possible within the allotted time.
What Do My Student’s Scores Mean?
Now that you know which tests your child took and what the benchmark scores measure, you may still be wondering what your child’s specific score means. Along with your child’s scores, you should also receive a score description like one of the following.
On Track
A student listed as on track has skills that meet or exceed grade-level expectations. If your child scores well above the benchmark, consider talking with the teacher about how your child is being challenged in the classroom. The teacher may also have activities that continue building your child’s skills.
Some Risk
A student listed as some risk may need additional support to improve the skill in question, because they face some risk of falling behind their peers. This is a good time to make sure your child gets individualized instruction. These students often don’t qualify for extra support services at school, yet they may not catch up to grade level through general classroom instruction alone. For that reason, it can help to look into support outside of school.
High Risk
A student listed as high risk needs additional support to improve the skill, and they face a high risk of falling behind their peers. Children in this category may already receive additional support services at school. Often, though, these children benefit from even more support, including help outside of school several times a week.
How ETLC Can Help
At ETLC, we want to know your child’s FAST scores, and we can help you interpret what they mean and how they relate to your child’s individual sessions. As you think through your child’s scores, keep a few things in mind:
- One point in time: These scores reflect a single moment, so factors like an off day, a test right before lunch, or a poor night’s sleep can all influence a score.
- Lots of steps: Many of these tests are computerized and ask a child to think through a problem, use scratch paper if needed, come up with a solution, find it on the screen, and then select it correctly. Even when a child understands the material, there is a lot that can go wrong along the way.
- Grade level content: These tests assess grade level material. If your child is in 2nd grade, for example, they will answer questions tied to 2nd grade content, whether or not they are performing at that level yet.
If your child scored lower than you expected, an evaluation with one of our learning specialists or speech-language pathologists can help. We can help you understand your child’s specific strengths and areas of need, and if they aren’t performing at grade level, we can help them build their skills and confidence. Enrichment Therapy & Learning Center has locations in Johnston and North Liberty, IA, with virtual services also available.
Learn more about tutoring and academic support at ETLC or schedule a free consultation to talk with a member of our team.
You may also find these pages helpful:
- Practice Math Facts at Home: A Visualization Trick
- How to Help Your Child Master Sight Words and Spelling
- What Is Number Sense and Why Is It Important?
About the Author
Sonia Strueby, M.A., CCC-SLP, is the founder of Enrichment Therapy & Learning Center. With over 25 years of experience as a speech-language pathologist, Sonia has dedicated her career to helping children overcome complex communication and academic challenges. She has advanced training and a special focus on treating dyslexia and childhood apraxia of speech, and she is passionate about providing families with a clear path to success.
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