Statewide test results show 60% of Florida students met or exceeded grade-level expectations on the Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) in 2026. The data, released June 26, comes as Gov. Ron DeSantis highlighted gains in English and math scores since the FAST system replaced the former end-of-year assessments in 2021. Brevard County schools are included in the results, though specific district performance details remain pending final reporting.
The FAST system requires students to take tests three times a year—beginning, middle, and end of the school year. This shift from the previous end-of-year Florida Statewide Assessment (FSA) aims to track student progress more frequently. DeSantis cited the changes as a reason for improved performance, though Brevard County educators have not yet publicly commented on the results.
Parents and educators can access detailed school-by-school results through the state's data portal at https://data.tallahassee.com/school/fsa/. The site allows comparisons between districts and statewide averages. Brevard County's performance will be visible once the portal updates with local data, expected within the next two weeks.
The new testing model has sparked debate among educators. Some praise the increased focus on progress tracking, while others argue the frequent assessments place additional pressure on students and teachers. Local school board members have not yet scheduled meetings to discuss the findings, but a spokesperson for the Brevard County Public Schools said they will review the data before making any public statements.
With over 130,000 students in Brevard County schools, the latest results will be closely watched by parents and policymakers. The state's education department has not yet released breakdowns by individual schools or demographic groups, but those details are expected in a follow-up report next month.