FAST Testing Window Extended

Message from the Iowa Department of Education:

We appreciate all of the support you have given as we have moved from using Iowa TIER to the FAST application for our early warning data system. We are excited about the functionality that FAST has to offer teachers!

FastBridge Learning, in partnership with the Department, has worked as quickly as possible to get their system ready for the fall screening window. However, there are still some districts that are not ready to begin screening on Monday when the fall window opens. The Department has decided to extend the fall screening window by two weeks for all districts and schools. The fall screening window will now run from September 11 through October 20.

As always, we encourage districts to take it slow and not schedule substitute teachers for screening until:

• all student and teacher data have been loaded into the FAST application;

• district managers have worked with the Department support team to verify that the data are correct;

• staff have been trained and are comfortable using the system with fidelity

If you have any questions about the fall screening window extension, please contact janell.brandhorst@iowa.gov. For all other questions about the FAST application, please use the FAST ticket system.