FAST Testing for Braille Readers
What is FAST?
FAST is a suite of highly efficient assessment tools designed for screening, progress monitoring, and
program evaluation as part of a Response to Intervention (RtI) or Multi-Tiered System of Support
(MTSS) model of service delivery. It was designed for and validated on the typically sighted and hearing
population. FAST is one of a number of approved screening and progress monitoring tools.
Assessments available to Iowa districts include: CBM Reading (i.e., oral reading fluency), early Reading
(K-1 – Concepts of Print, Onset Sounds, Letter Names, Letter Sounds, Word Segmenting, Sight Words,
Nonsense Words and Sentence Reading), and adaptive Reading.
Accessible Tools for Braille Readers:


CBMReading – Curriculum Based Measurement for reading is used to screen and monitor
students from 1st – 6th grade. This is accessible for braille readers.
earlyReading - is used to screen and monitor students in grades k-3. This is accessible for braille
readers.
aReading is currently not accessible to a braille reader
 aReading – Adaptive Reading – is a computer adaptive measure of broad reading individualized
for each student K- 5. This is not currently accessible to braille readers
Process for acquiring brailled materials for CBMReading or earlyReading
 Please let your TVI know the testing date as early as possible to insure that you may have the
test on the requested date.
 The TVI will order the materials from the Department for Blind for you.
Testing Braille Readers using CBMReading or earlyReading:
 CBMReading and earlyReading are part of the FAST Suite of assessment tools. Every district
that uses FAST has access to these tests.
 Administration and scoring of these assessments were covered in each district’s FAST Training.
 You will receive a list of approved accommodations for braille readers from your student’s TVI.
Please note that the available benchmarks will not be a valid comparison given the non-standardized
nature of administration. Results must be interpreted with caution and used appropriately. Test results
can be compared to previous test periods to show an individual student’s growth in each area of
assessment.
Additional questions: Contact Chris Short, Iowa Braille School Literacy Consultant:
cshort@iowa-braille.k12.ia.us
Created 8/28/2015
CBMReading Environment Handout - Braille Readers
Test Administrator's Name ___________________________________ (Who will administer the test?)
 General Ed. Teacher
 Associate trained in giving standardized tests
 Special Ed. Teacher
Administration of Test
 Accommodations for braille readers are available through your Teacher of the Visually Impaired
Setting
 One-on- one in a quiet location
Specific location where the test will be administered__________________________
Testing area should have appropriately sized table/chairs and work space area
 General ed. classroom
 Special ed. classroom
 Other quiet setting
Time (Circle, bold, or otherwise indicate)
 Time of day
 Frequent breaks to rest fingers
 May start testing up to a week before peers due to needing extended time to complete
Accommodations:
Specific accommodations for each test are available from your TVI or Chris Short
cshort@iowa-braille.k12.ia.us
Created 8/28/2015