08/24/2026
ATTENTION PARENT/GUARDIAN OF 3RD, 4TH & 5TH:
Dear Parent/Guardian,
The Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) is a progress monitoring test that is administered three times per year to track your student’s progress in learning the Benchmarks for Excellent Student Thinking (B.E.S.T.) Standards. Your student will participate in the first administration (PM1) of the Grade 3-5 FAST ELA Reading and Mathematics assessments on August 25, 2026 and September 3, 2026. Any student who has not completed the session by the end of the allotted time may continue working up to the length of a typical school day. The results from PM1 are for informational purposes only. You will be provided with information about how to see your student’s results after testing is completed.
FAST assessments are computer-adaptive tests taken on a computer or tablet. The questions get easier or more difficult depending on how your student responds, and each student will see different questions from a common item bank. Each test (PM1, PM2, and PM3) has 35–40 items that cover the test “blueprint,” meaning students will see items that measure the standards within the subject and grade level. For more information about the test design, please visit https://www.fldoe.org/accountability/assessments/k-12-student-assessment/best/. You or your student can practice using the online testing platform or review sample items at home at https://flfast.org/families.html.
Please review the following policies with your student before testing:
Electronic Devices—Students are not allowed to access any electronic devices, including, but not limited to, cell phones, smart glasses, and smartwatches, at any time during testing or during breaks (e.g., restroom), even if the devices are turned off or students do not use them. Students may not wear smart glasses during statewide testing, even if they are prescription glasses. Students with prescription smart glasses will need to remove them or test another day with standard glasses. If your student is found with an electronic device or is found using Bluetooth/wireless headphones/earbuds during testing, his or her test will be invalidated (not scored).
Calculator Policy—For Grades 7–8 FAST Mathematics, approved handheld scientific calculators may be used. For Grade 6 FAST Mathematics, a handheld four-function calculator may be used. Calculators are not allowed for Grades 3–5 Mathematics.
Testing Rules Acknowledgment—All tests include a Testing Rules Acknowledgment that reads: “I understand the testing rules that were just read to me. If I do not follow these rules, my test score may be invalidated.” Prior to testing, test administrators read the rules to students, and students click a box in the test to show that they understand the testing rules.
Discussing Test Content after Testing—The last part of the testing rules read to students states that because the test content is secure, students may not discuss or share details about the test items and passages after testing. This includes texting, emailing, or posting test content to social media sites. While students may not share information about what questions were on their test, this policy is not meant to prevent students from talking about their testing experiences with their parents/families.
Working Independently—Students are responsible for doing their own work during the test and for protecting their answers from being seen by others. If students are caught cheating during testing, their tests will be invalidated (not scored).
Illness/Leaving Campus—If your student leaves campus before completing a test (e.g., for lunch, an appointment), he or she may not be allowed to return to that test. If your student does not feel well on the day of testing, it may be best for him or her to wait and be tested on a make-up day. Please remember not to schedule appointments on testing days.
Testing Accommodations—If your student has an Individual Educational Plan (IEP), a Section 504 Plan, or is an English Language Learner (ELL) or a recently exited ELL, please contact the school to discuss any testing accommodations that will be provided for your student.
Testing Irregularities—If a testing irregularity occurs in your student’s testing room, as part of a school investigation, your student may be asked questions to provide information about the incident. In addition, your student may need to retake the test if a suspected irregularity is reported that may affect the validity of the test results.
Extra Time—Any student still working at the end of the allotted time for the session will be provided extra time, as allowed, to complete the test. However, based on directions from the district, students who are not actively working (e.g., sleeping) at the end of regular time may be dismissed rather than being given extra time.
If you have any questions related to this test administration, you may contact Kaele Cameron at [email protected]
For more information about the FAST program, please visit the portal at https://flfast.org/fsa.html.
Thank you for supporting your student and encouraging him or her to do his or her best on the test.
Sincerely,
PM1 Grades 3-5 Parent Letter
