Palmetto Middle School’s performance in the 2024-2025 Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) offers valuable insights into student achievement trends across English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics. With over 1,300 total test-takers, the school demonstrated commendable strengths, particularly in Grade 6 ELA, while also identifying areas for growth in upper-grade Mathematics.
Math: 583 students tested, 365 achieved grade-level proficiency or higher.
ELA: 721 students tested, 515 achieved grade-level proficiency or higher.
Top Performing Area: Grade 6 ELA with 75% of students meeting or exceeding grade-level expectations.
Most Challenging Area: Grade 7 Math with only 37% of students meeting the standard.
| Grade & Subject | Palmetto Middle | Miami-Dade | Florida |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 6 ELA | 75% | 75% | 75% |
| Grade 6 Math | 69% | 64% | 60% |
| Grade 7 ELA | 71% | 62% | 57% |
| Grade 7 Math | 37% | 54% | 50% |
| Grade 8 ELA | 69% | 60% | 55% |
| Grade 8 Math | 67% | 59% | 56% |
Grade 6 ELA is a strong benchmark for the school, performing above district and state averages.
Grade 6 Math also surpasses both Miami-Dade and state results, signaling a strong foundation in numeracy.
Grade 7 ELA shows significant strength, exceeding district averages by 9% and state averages by 14%.
Grade 7 Math remains the most significant challenge, underperforming by 17 percentage points compared to the district.
Grade 8 ELA and Math are both above state averages but show a drop compared to Grade 6 results, suggesting a need for sustained academic growth through middle school.
Level 4 (Proficient): 24% of students — largest proficiency category.
Level 5 (Advanced): 24% of students — indicates a strong high-achieving cohort.
Level 1 (Substantial Support Needed): 16% — targeted interventions required.
Address Grade 7 Math Gap:
Implement targeted tutoring and differentiated instruction to lift proficiency rates closer to district benchmarks.
Sustain Grade 6 Momentum:
Expand successful strategies from Grade 6 ELA and Math into upper grades, focusing on writing skills, analytical reading, and applied problem-solving.
Data-Driven Instruction:
Conduct quarterly benchmark testing to identify skill gaps early and adjust instruction accordingly.
Leverage Professional Development:
Training teachers on FAST-specific strategies could yield up to 21 percentile points in ranking improvement, as supported by research.
Integrate Lumos StepUp Resources:
Regular use (approx. 45 minutes/week) of high-quality practice materials could drive a 2–13% increase in FAST proficiency rates.
Palmetto Middle School’s FAST 2024-2025 results reflect strong foundational skills in Grade 6 and solid ELA performance across grades. While mathematics, particularly in Grade 7, requires targeted support, the school’s high percentage of Level 4 and Level 5 students highlights a strong academic potential. By sustaining effective practices and focusing interventions where most needed, Palmetto Middle can further boost student outcomes in the coming year.