Florida Department of Education Releases 2024-25 End-of-Year Testing Results Highlighting Progress in Alachua County

Overview of Assessment Results

The Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) has published the end-of-year results for the 2024-25 Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) for public school students. The data indicate significant improvements in English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics, particularly within Alachua County Public Schools (ACPS).

English Language Arts (ELA) Performance

1. During the final testing period (PM3), 55% of ACPS students in grades 3 through 10 achieved a level three or higher in ELA, marking an increase of 11 percentage points from the middle of the year (PM2) and approximately 20 percentage points from the beginning of the year (PM1).
2. Statewide, 57% of students in grades 3 through 10 scored at level three or higher, reflecting a 21 percentage point increase from the start to the end of the school year.
3. Year-over-year, Florida’s ELA proficiency rose by four percentage points compared to 2024 and eight percentage points compared to 2023.

Mathematics Performance

1. At the end of the 2024-25 school year, 52% of ACPS students in grades 3 through 8 scored at level three or above in mathematics, representing a 22 percentage point increase from PM2 and a 34 percentage point rise from PM1.
2. Statewide, 59% of students in grades 3 through 8 achieved level three or higher, an increase of 44 percentage points from the beginning to the end of the year.

FAST Assessment Program Details

• Launched in the 2022-23 school year, the FAST program includes coordinated screening and progress monitoring assessments aligned with the Benchmarks for Excellent Student Thinking (B.E.S.T.) Standards for grades 3–10 in ELA and grades 3–8 in mathematics.
• Assessments are administered three times annually: PM1 at the beginning, PM2 in the middle, and PM3 at the end of the school year, enabling educators to monitor student progress effectively.
• Each assessment covers the full-year content expectations for the respective grade and subject.
• Students are scored on a scale from 1 to 5, where:
  • 1 indicates performance well below grade level,
  • 3 represents on-grade-level proficiency,
  • 5 signifies exemplary performance with high likelihood of success in subsequent grades or courses.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The improvements in student academic performance in Alachua County and across Florida contribute directly to the achievement of several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including:

• SDG 4: Quality Education – Enhancing literacy and numeracy skills ensures inclusive and equitable quality education and promotes lifelong learning opportunities for all students.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – Progress monitoring and targeted interventions help reduce educational disparities among diverse student populations.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – Collaboration between the FLDOE, local school districts, educators, and communities supports the implementation of effective educational strategies.

Additional Information

For further details on the 2024-25 statewide assessments and to access comprehensive reports, please visit the Florida Department of Education assessment results page.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • The article focuses on student performance in English Language Arts and Mathematics assessments, highlighting improvements in educational outcomes.
   • The emphasis on standardized testing and progress monitoring aligns with ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities.
2. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • By reporting on improvements in public school students’ academic performance, the article indirectly addresses educational disparities within Alachua County and statewide.
   • Efforts to monitor and improve student achievement contribute to reducing inequalities in education access and quality.

2. Specific Targets Under the Identified SDGs

1. Under SDG 4: Quality Education
   • Target 4.1: Ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes.
   • Target 4.2: Ensure that all youth achieve literacy and numeracy skills.
   • Target 4.6: Ensure that all youth and a substantial proportion of adults achieve literacy and numeracy.
2. Under SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Indicators Related to SDG 4 Targets:
   • Percentage of students scoring at or above level three in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics assessments (grades 3-10 for ELA, grades 3-8 for Mathematics).
   • Improvement in percentage points over the school year and year-to-year comparisons in assessment scores.
   • Use of the Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) as a standardized tool to measure student learning outcomes.
2. Indicators Related to SDG 10 Targets:
   • Tracking improvements in public school students’ academic performance across different regions (Alachua County vs. statewide), which implies monitoring disparities and progress towards equity.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: mainstreetdailynews.com