When might adding a note be beneficial?
There is no state or system requirement to enter notes in screening or progress monitoring. The function is simply for local use, as desired. The add note option is not currently available for all measures.
Screening
You may find the add note useful in the screener when there is information related to the testing or circumstances that is relevant and may potentially impact current or future decisions made using that score.
Examples:
- if special accommodations were used due to IEP
- when you want the screener to be used instead of the default due to the student's disability (please note: this does not transmit to the state for Healthy Indicators or ELI)
- if the classroom or student circumstance at the time of screening may have possibly impacted the score but you're uncertain (please note: if it's your opinion that the test was significantly compromised, consider retesting according to your district's retesting guidelines. Contact your District Manager, if you're uncertain)
Progress monitoring
The add note feature may also be helpful to record when the student was absent the prior week or missed monitoring for any reason. Entering relevant, brief notes may help teachers to make decisions for the student about effectiveness and understand gaps or plateaus in student progress.
Adding a note
1. On the assessment administration page, after completing the test, but before submitting it, click Add note under the scoring section on the right hand column
2. Enter note in pop-up box
3. Click Save
Viewing notes
Screening
The notes appear at the bottom of the Group Screening Report, in the section for Errors by Student under the Comment column.
Progress monitoring
The notes appear in the Detailed PM Information data table on the student’s Progress Graph with the data for the date it was added.
Still need help?
Follow your district's plan for support, usually by contacting your FastBridge District Manager. If your district doesn't have a plan, submit a support request in FastBridge or by emailing help@fastbridge.org (which also creates a support request). Don't forget to include specific details and the student's first and last name. Do not use the chat feature or phone support number through FastBridge, as your Iowa support team is not available via those methods.