Analysis of Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) Results for Alachua County Public Schools: A Comprehensive Overview
The Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) serves as a vital tool in assessing the educational progress of K-12 students across Florida. Focusing on the Benchmarks for Excellent Student Thinking (B.E.S.T.) standards, this comprehensive analysis will delve into the 2023 and 2024 results, highlighting significant trends and observations for both the Alachua school district and statewide performance in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics.
Understanding FAST Achievement Levels
FAST categorizes student performance into five distinct levels:
- Level 1: Students are beginning to access the challenging content of the B.E.S.T. Standards.
- Level 2: Students demonstrate a below-satisfactory level of success.
- Level 3: Students demonstrate on-grade-level success.
- Level 4: Students demonstrate an above-satisfactory level of success.
- Level 5: Students demonstrate mastery of the most challenging content.
Key Highlights: English Language Arts (ELA)
Grade 3 ELA:
- Statewide Improvement: The percentage of students achieving Level 3 or above rose from 50% in 2023 to 55% in 2024.
- Alachua District Success: Alachua district saw an impressive increase from 49% in 2023 to 56% in 2024, surpassing the state average. Additionally, the percentage of students at Level 1 decreased from 29% to 23%.
Grade 4 ELA:
- Statewide Decline: There was a drop in students achieving Level 3 or above, from 58% in 2023 to 53% in 2024.
- Alachua District Decline: Similarly, Alachua experienced a decline from 54% to 51%, with an increase in students at Level 1 from 27% to 29%.
Grade 6 ELA:
- Statewide Growth: The state saw a notable improvement, with students scoring Level 3 or above increasing from 47% to 54%.
- Alachua District Growth: Alachua mirrored this trend with an increase from 47% to 52%, and a significant reduction in Level 1 students from 33% to 24%.
Grade 7 ELA:
- Statewide Improvement: A modest increase from 47% at Level 3 or above in 2023 to 50% in 2024.
- Alachua District Success: Alachua outperformed the state with an increase from 46% to 52%, and a decrease in Level 1 students from 34% to 28%.
Key Highlights: Mathematics
Grade 3 Math:
- Statewide Improvement: The percentage of students achieving Level 3 or above increased from 59% in 2023 to 60% in 2024.
- Alachua District Improvement: Alachua showed progress, with students achieving Level 3 or above increasing from 52% to 54%, and a reduction in Level 1 students from 31% to 25%.
Grade 4 Math:
- Statewide Stability: There was a slight decrease from 61% at Level 3 or above in 2023 to 58% in 2024.
- Alachua District Decline: Alachua saw a decrease in students scoring Level 3 or above from 58% to 53%, with the percentage of Level 1 students remaining constant at 29%.
Grade 6 Math:
- Statewide Slight Growth: The percentage of students achieving Level 3 or above increased from 51% to 52%.
- Alachua District Growth: Alachua showed a slight improvement with an increase from 49% to 50%, and a reduction in Level 1 students from 30% to 29%.
Grade 7 Math:
- Statewide Improvement: An increase from 46% achieving Level 3 or above in 2023 to 49% in 2024.
- Alachua District Progress: Alachua saw an increase in students scoring Level 3 or above from 44% to 47%, with a decrease in Level 1 students from 35% to 32%.
Conclusion
The FAST results for 2023 and 2024 reveal significant trends and insights into the educational achievements of students across Florida and within the Alachua school district. While there are areas of improvement, particularly in early-grade ELA and Math, there are also challenges that need to be addressed to ensure all students can meet and exceed the B.E.S.T. standards. Continuous monitoring, targeted interventions, and dedicated efforts from educators and policymakers will be crucial in driving sustained progress and success for all students in Florida.
Data Source: Florida Department of Education
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