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Let's work together to achieve excellence in literacy education for all our students. It's essential for the children we serve and the communities they live in.

The F.A.S.T. Team

FAQs

What is the difference between First Steps and The F.A.S.T. Reading Program?

First Steps was developed specifically for kindergarten and entry-level first grade students. It addresses all components of early reading, including phonics, phonemic awareness, and fluency. The F.A.S.T. Reading Program picks up where First Steps leaves off. It teaches the essential skills of phonemic identification, blending, segmenting, fluency, and vocabulary development. It is appropriate for whole-class or small group instruction, as well as an intervention for struggling readers.

Why do I need to take the workshop? Can't I just purchase the materials?

F.A.S.T. Learning’s literacy programs are highly structured and feature specific methods of explicit, research-based instruction. Participating in the workshop provides the training required to implement the programs successfully.

I'm not a classroom teacher. Will F.A.S.T. help me with my own child?

Most of our workshops are for practicing teachers, tutors, or educators only. However, please call us at 1-800-325-3278 to find out what’s available for parents.

What exactly are "leveled readers"?

Leveled Readers are books that are evaluated and rated in terms of their difficulty. Evaluation criteria include phonetic elements, word count, syntax complexity, degree of repetition and predictability, illustration support, layout, required background knowledge, and language complexity. Our three newest series, Small Steps, Bridge Books, and Tales of Friends, have been given Lexile measurements.

I'm not in Colorado. How can I get trained in F.A.S.T.?

Training is available nationwide at both the school and district levels. Please call 1-800-325-3278 for more information and/or to schedule a training session.

Once I take the workshop, will I need to purchase more materials?

Not necessarily. However, we do recommend that each teacher have on hand ample leveled books, boards, lettersets, and other supplemental materials to outfit his or her classroom. Your workshop instructor can provide guidance on the materials you’ll need to successfully implement F.A.S.T. Learning’s literacy programs.

Do you offer Continuing Education Credits (CEC's)?

Yes, we offer 2.0 graduate credit hours from Adams State College in Alamosa, Colorado. Upon request, we will provide each teacher with a handout that covers payment and requirements, as well as a registration form. The cost is currently $55.00 per credit hour, which is subject to change at the discretion of Adams State administration.

What sort of follow-up support do you offer?

At F.A.S.T. Learning, we don’t just prepare teachers, we partner with them. After the initial training, a F.A.S.T. Learning literacy specialist will make on-site visits to observe your teachers and provide meaningful, actionable feedback. We also provide coaching both in-person and online.

How does F.A.S.T. align with my district's reading standards?

F.A.S.T. Learning’s literacy programs are aligned to the Common Core Standards and incorporate classroom-tested, research-based methods. The F.A.S.T. Reading Program meets the five essential components of reading instruction as outlined by the National Reading Panel. The F.A.S.T. Reading Program also meets the requirements of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

Is the F.A.S.T. Reading System appropriate for high school students?

The F.A.S.T. Reading Program was originally designed for middle and high school students, so it is quite attentive to their academic needs. It teaches the language structure systematically by building on a student’s prior knowledge and allowing each student to move at his or her own pace. It also supports literacy in the content areas and focuses on advanced word analysis. Students will study letter combinations, patterns, and sounds, which is critical for ELL learners.