Florida commissioner of education announces mid-year progress monitoring results show significant gains for students across the state
Tallahassee, Florida – Florida students are demonstrating notable progress midway through the school year, according to the latest results from the Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST). Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas announced on February 11, 2026, that mid-year progress monitoring scores have increased significantly compared to both the start of the year and the same period last year, reflecting the effectiveness of classroom instruction statewide.
On the FAST English Language Arts (ELA) Progress Monitoring, 49% of students are now performing at or above grade level. This marks a 10 percentage point increase since the beginning of the school year and a 4-point improvement compared to the same time last year. Meanwhile, FAST Mathematics Progress Monitoring shows that 34% of students are performing at or above grade level, up 18 points since the start of the year and 3 points higher than last year. These results indicate that students are mastering end-of-year benchmarks earlier than ever, a trend that education officials say underscores the impact of high-quality teaching across Florida’s classrooms.
“Mid-year progress monitoring results show that Florida’s students are continuing to succeed. I commend the hard work of students across our state and the dedication of teachers whose classroom instruction is pivotal to these gains,” said Commissioner Kamoutsas. “Thanks to Governor Ron DeSantis’ leadership, Florida replaced high-stakes testing with the nation’s first progress monitoring system, an approach that is consistently delivering improved outcomes for students.”
The mid-year data show that over 50,000 students are now performing on or above grade level in English language arts, while nearly 20,000 additional students have reached or surpassed grade-level expectations in mathematics. Education leaders emphasize that these gains are the direct result of both rigorous classroom instruction and the state’s shift toward continuous progress monitoring, which allows teachers to identify and address learning gaps earlier in the academic year.
Highlights from the FAST ELA Progress Monitoring mid-year results, known as PM2, include a 10-point increase from PM1 at the start of the school year. Compared with the previous school year’s PM2 results, this year’s scores are 4 percentage points higher. They are also 10 points higher than the 2022–23 school year, the inaugural year of FAST Progress Monitoring, signaling steady improvement since the system was first implemented.
Mathematics results have shown equally strong growth. On the FAST Mathematics Progress Monitoring PM2, 34% of students are performing at or above grade level, an 18-point jump from the beginning of the year. These mid-year results are 3 percentage points higher than last year and 6 points higher than the first year of FAST Progress Monitoring in 2022–23, demonstrating sustained gains over multiple school years.
Commissioner Kamoutsas emphasized that collaboration among teachers, parents, and students is crucial for maintaining these trends through the remainder of the school year. He encouraged families to engage with teachers, track student progress, and support learning at home. “We want every student to finish the year strong,” Kamoutsas said.
Education officials point to the FAST progress monitoring system as a key driver behind these improvements. By providing ongoing feedback rather than relying solely on high-stakes testing, teachers can tailor instruction to meet students’ specific needs. This proactive approach enables students to master concepts more efficiently and ensures that interventions occur before gaps in understanding widen.
As Florida schools move into the second half of the academic year, education leaders remain optimistic. The mid-year results suggest that students are not only catching up where needed but also excelling in subjects earlier than anticipated. Officials view this as a positive indicator for end-of-year outcomes, as continued progress monitoring and high-quality instruction work hand-in-hand to support student success statewide.
With over 50,000 students exceeding expectations in ELA and thousands more advancing in mathematics, Florida’s education system appears to be on a path toward consistent, measurable growth. Educators, parents, and students alike are encouraged to celebrate these milestones while continuing to work collaboratively to maintain momentum and ensure that all students reach their full academic potential.
