The FAST measures are considered to be a set of standardized Universal Screening and Progress Monitoring assessments. This means that there are standard administration and scoring rules and procedures that must be followed explicitly each and every time the assessment is administered to each and every student. Failure to do so makes any comparison of current student performance to the criterion referenced benchmarks less than accurate and can possibly result in educators reaching faulty conclusions regarding student performance and resulting programming.
Note: The developers of these measures understand that some students, as a result of their unique learning characteristics, may experience difficulties in responding or interacting with these materials and assessment expectations. However, at the current time there are no approved accomodations.
The Do’s and Don’ts of FAST Administration:
- Follow and read the directions exactly as they are listed and Do Not modify the directions
- Students should not practice or pre-read the assessment materials
- This is a test. Do not teach or correct the student’s errors during the test.
Schools should regularly emphasize the importance of fidelity of administration and scoring. Weaving quick-checks into staff meetings before each benchmark period is a great way to help ensure fidelity. The documents below can be used to review the standardized administration and scoring rules for each of the FAST assessments:
CBM Reading Administration and Scoring Review
Concepts of Print Administration and Scoring Review
Letter Names Administration and Scoring Review
Letter Sounds Administration and Scoring Review
Nonsense Words Administration and Scoring Review
Onset Sounds Administration and Scoring Review
Sentence Reading Administration and Scoring Review