FastBridge Assessment

In SASD, we strive to close the assessment-to-instruction gap by administering a combination of ComputerAdaptive Tests (CAT) and Curriculum-Based Measures (CBM) to drive district- and school-level instructional decision-making about supports students need to meet learning needs and goals. New in 2023, we are using FastBridge, a formative assessment system for teachers at the 4k-8 grade levels. Our FastBridge assessments, described below, ensure educators have the right tools and the right data to provide timely, targeted support for their learners. 

Grades 4K-1: Fastbridge earlyReading Composite is an assessment of essential early reading skills such as concepts of print, phonemic awareness, phonics, and fluency.  It is individually administered by teachers to each student in grades 4K-1 in the Fall, Winter, and Spring, measuring student progress in reading foundational skills. The estimated time to complete the assessment is 5 minutes.

Grades 2-8: At the 2-8 grade levels, our Fastbridge assessments are computer-adaptive assessments that are administered in the Fall, Winter, and Spring each year, measuring student progress and growth in reading and math. This assessment complements state and classroom-level assessments that are used to monitor progress in student learning, inform curriculum development, and guide programming decisions.

aReading Overview

The Formative Assessment System for Teachers™ (FastBridge) Adaptive Reading (aReading) assessment is a computer-adaptive measure of broad reading ability that is individualized for each student. aReading provides a useful estimate of broad reading achievement from kindergarten through twelfth grade. The questions and response format used in aReading is substantially similar to many state-wide, standardized assessments. aReading is a simple and efficient procedure that is fully automated. Browser-based software adapts and individualizes the assessment for each child so that it essentially functions at the child’s developmental and skill level. The adaptive nature of the test makes it more efficient and more precise than paper-and-pencil assessments. aReading administers between 30 and 60 questions to students. The estimated time to complete the assessment varies between 10-20 minutes.

aReading is intended for use from kindergarten through twelfth grades for screening. Items developed for kindergarten through grade 5 target Concepts of Print, Phonological Awareness, Phonics, Vocabulary, and Comprehension. Items developed for middle and high school grade levels target Orthography, Morphology, Vocabulary, and Comprehension. Please note, however, that the importance and emphasis on each reading domain will vary across children. Each assessment is individualized by the software and, as a result, the information and precision of measurement are optimized regardless of whether a student functions at, above or significantly below grade level. A brief review regarding the use of aReading for Screening and Progress Monitoring is provided below.
aReading is used by teachers to screen all students and estimate annual growth with tri-annual assessments (fall, winter & spring). Students who progress at a typical pace through the reading curriculum meet the standards for expected performance at each point in the year. Students with deficit achievement can be identified in the fall of the academic year so as to provide supplemental, differentiated, or individualized instruction. The range of scores possible for aReading is between 350-750.

aMath Overview
aMath is a computer-adaptive test (CAT) of broad mathematics skills for students in grades K through 12. aMath items are based on the recommendations of the National Math Panel (2008) and National Common Core Standards (CCSS; 2010). aMath is designed to identify those students with deficits in math achievement in need of additional instruction and predict performance on state accountability measures. aMath administers between 30 to 60 questions to students. Item difficulty is determined by a student’s performance on prior items. The estimated time to complete the assessment varies between 10-20 minutes.

aMath is a screening assessment, and FastBridge recommends using it three times a year to screen all students’ mathematics skills. The range of scores possible for aMath is between 145-275.

Please see the chart below for a more detailed overview of assessments given by grade level:

SASD FastBridge Reading Assessments Overview

SASD FastBridge Math Assessments Overview

 

Communication with Families

After each assessment window, teachers will share information on progress with families. Results from the fall assessment window will be shared with families at Fall Family Conferences and/or sent home if families are unable to attend conferences. FastBridge reports include indicators of student risk for not reaching learning goals. These are known as benchmarks and include indicators for the following levels: 

Advanced: very likely to meet grade-level goals 

Low Risk: likely to meet grade-level goals 

Some Risk: unlikely to meet grade-level goals •

High Risk: very unlikely to meet grade-level goals 

This information is used by schools to identify supports for individual students. Some supports are class or grade level wide, meaning that we are adjusting our universal instruction to meet needs of many students. It is important to remember that the assessments described above, is one gauge  of your student’s knowledge and skills. It is only through multiple assessments and checks for understanding that we are able to develop a clearer picture of your student’s current level of academic performance as well as their growth over time in the areas of reading and mathematics. Teachers are eager to communicate our progress and plan with you to meet your child’s  learning goals.