2023-24 FastBridge (FAST) registration open until May 10!

Iowa AEAs is once again subsidizing the costs for schools to upgrade their distance education (DE)-provided K-6 literacy FastBridge (FAST) subscriptions. Important dates and registration information can be found below.

• FAST registration for this expanded assessment suite in math and behavior for K-6 and literacy, math and behavior for grades 7-8, is now open.
• Registration for these options will be open until May 10, 2023.
• Schools wanting to use this expanded suite of assessments during the upcoming year must register before this date as there will be no mid-year registration options.
• Participation is available to schools that purchased the expanded assessment suite in previous years and those that want to use it for the first time in 2023-24.
• *Please note that registration is year to year. If you registered for and used the expanded assessment suite last year, you must register again this year.
• If you are only wanting to use the DE-provided K-6 literacy assessment, no registration is necessary.

Please read the FastBridge information document carefully so you are fully aware of the projected costs, billing information and special registration considerations for the various building configurations that are in your district. *There is an additional option to purchase FAST for grades 9-12. Email sales@fastbridge.org if you want to purchase seats for grades 9-12. This cost is not subsidized by the AEA system.

While the use of these expanded assessments might greatly enhance your system’s data-based decision-making, please understand that these expanded assessments are optional and are not mandated by state assessment requirements.

• As your district and schools make decisions around their potential use and adoption, you are strongly encouraged to specifically identify how these resulting data will be used as part of your district or school’s comprehensive, balanced and aligned assessment system.
• Districts and schools are encouraged to consider the professional learning that will need to occur with staff in regard to the standardized administration and scoring of these assessments as well as the analysis of the resulting data.

If you have any questions regarding these FAST assessments or are in need of support around its administration and use, reach out to your AEA Regional Administrator or Joe Kremer, Consultant for School Improvement.