FAST assessment scores show marked improvement for Volusia, Flagler students

Volusia and Flagler county school districts showed notable improvement in math, according to the 2023-24 Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) results released by the state Department of Education earlier this month.

This is the second year Florida has conducted FAST testing . The progress monitoring assessments are conducted three times throughout the school year and are designed to drive student improvement by providing teachers, students and parents with immediate data at the beginning, middle and end of the school year, according to the DOE.

Twelve Volusia County Schools increased the percentage of students meeting or exceeding proficiency at all grade levels on the third math FAST assessment this year, according to a district press release: Blue Lake , Champion , Chisholm , Freedom , Friendship , Horizon and Pine Trail elementary schools; Campbell , Deltona , Galaxy and Silver Sands middle schools ; and Taylor Middle-High School .

Additionally, Volusia middle and high school students increased 30 percentage points in Algebra 1 achievement from the previous year, and every district high school increased the percentage of students at or above grade level on Algebra 1 and geometry end-of-course exams, according to the press release. Furthermore, Ormond Beach Middle School reported a 100% pass rate for the geometry end-of-course exam for the third consecutive year.

"I am happy to report that due to the dedication and hard work of teachers, staff, students and families, Volusia County Schools continues to see an upward trend in proficiency year over year,” Superintendent Carmen Balgobin said in a statement. “These assessment results are evidence of intentional instructional and support strategies implemented across the school district that are resulting in success.”

Use the chart below to search how your student's school performed on the 2024 math FAST exam.

And in Flagler County, high school Algebra 1 end-of-course exam scores increased by 10% while geometry end-of-course exam scores increased by 13%, according to a district press release. Additionally, Flagler County Schools scored 9% above the state average for the Algebra 1 end-of-course exam and 7% above the state average for the geometry end-of-course exam, the release reported.

"The first guiding principle of our district is 'Children First,'" said Superintendent LaShakia Moore in a statement. "I'm so proud of our faculty, staff and administration across the district in helping this next generation prepare for the future."

Use the chart below to search how your student's school performed on the 2024 math FAST exam.

Volusia, Flagler English/language arts scores

Sixteen Volusia County Schools increased the percentage of students meeting or exceeding proficiency at all grade levels on the third English/language arts (ELA) FAST assessment this year, according to a district press release: Beachside , Champion , Forest Lake , Horizon , Sweetwater , Timbercrest and Tomoka elementary schools; Deltona , Galaxy and Ormond Beach middle schools; and Atlantic , Deltona , Pine Ridge , Seabreeze , Spruce Creek and University high schools .

Use the chart below to search how your student's school performed on the 2024 ELA FAST exam.

Flagler Schools saw an overall increase of 2% on its ELA FAST exam scores, according to a district press release.

Use the chart below to search how your student's school performed the 2024 ELA FAST exam.

How do Volusia, Flagler counties compare to the rest of Florida?

Performance on math tests and English/language arts tests improved statewide throughout the 2023-24 school year.

Florida students in grades 3-8 improved their math scores this school year by 42 percentage points. Only 14% of students scored at or above grade level on their first test, but 56% scored at or above grade level on the third.

Additionally, 53% of Florida students in grades 3-8 and high school scored at or above grade level in math. This was a 4% increase from the prior year in which 51% scored at or above grade level.

• For Volusia County Schools, 52% of students in grades 3-8 and high school scored at or above grade level in 2024, while 45% scored at or above grade level in 2023.
• For Flagler County Schools, 58% of students in grades 3-8 and high school scored at or above grade level in 2024, while 54% scored at or above grade level in 2023.

Florida students in grades 3-10 improved their ELA scores by 20 percentage points, with 33% of students scoring at or above grade level on the first test of the year and 53% of students scoring at or above grade level on the third.

Furthermore, 53% percent of Florida students in grades 3-10 scored at or above grade level in ELA. This was a 4% increase from the prior year in which 49% scored at or above grade level.

• For Volusia County Schools, 50% of students in grades 3-10 scored at or above grade level in 2024, while 46% scored at or above grade level in 2023.
• For Flagler County Schools, 55% of students in grades 3-10 scored at or above grade level in 2024, while 53% scored at or above grade level in 2023.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: FAST assessment scores show marked improvement for Volusia, Flagler students