Illuminate Education, a leading K-12 student performance system provider, has announced the acquisition of FastBridge Learning, LLC, a prominent research-based assessment platform. This strategic move aims to enhance educators’ ability to measure and monitor student progress, ultimately transforming teaching and learning practices.
FastBridge Learning, established in 2015, emerged from the University of Minnesota through the efforts of educational psychology professor Theodore Christ and computer science PhD Zoheb Borbora. Their platform is built upon rigorous research and contributions from esteemed educational researchers across the nation. Serving nearly two million educators and students across 45 states, FastBridge is dedicated to advancing knowledge and improving educational assessments.
At the heart of FastBridge is the Formative Assessment System for Teachers (FAST™). This innovative software empowers teachers to efficiently screen, measure, and track individual student progress in crucial areas like reading and math. By providing timely and accurate data, FAST facilitates the creation of personalized learning plans designed to address and close educational gaps effectively. Before its national expansion as FastBridge Learning, FAST was developed and refined over eight years, achieving widespread adoption in 92 percent of Iowa schools.
This acquisition marks a significant milestone for the University of Minnesota’s Venture Center, as FastBridge becomes the eighth startup from its program to be acquired or go public since 2017. The Venture Center, since its inception in 2006, has launched an impressive 150 companies, highlighting its role in fostering innovation.
“Joining forces with Illuminate Education allows us to broaden the impact of our research-driven innovation model,” stated Terri Soutor, CEO of FastBridge Learning. “This collaboration accelerates our shared mission to revolutionize how educators assess and cater to the diverse learning needs of students. Together, we are poised to deliver enhanced capabilities that support a district’s comprehensive and successful tiered instructional model, fostering greater achievements for both educators and students.”
Illuminate Education is recognized for providing effective formative assessments, robust assessment platforms, and actionable data that informs instruction and empowers educators to build strong support systems within their school districts. The acquisition of FastBridge formalizes a long-standing partnership between the two entities, seamlessly integrating their technologies, expertise, and processes. This unified approach is geared towards supporting the holistic development of each child through data-informed insights and a tiered instructional framework.
“FastBridge Learning has established an exceptional track record of integrating research-backed innovation into assessment practices, all while maintaining a strong commitment to serving school districts,” commented Christine Willig, CEO of Illuminate Education. “Their dedication to sustainable MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports), educator empowerment, open standards, and interoperable solutions aligns perfectly with our values. We are thrilled to welcome FastBridge into the Illuminate Education family.”
Approximately a year prior, Illuminate Education significantly reshaped the assessment landscape by merging five companies. This merger, aimed at providing educators with “a holistic view of the child on a single pane of glass,” served approximately 15 million K-12 students. The acquisition of FastBridge Learning represents the final, crucial element in realizing Illuminate Education’s vision. This vision focuses on simplifying formative assessments for teachers, saving valuable time, and guiding them in evidence-based student instruction and data-driven intervention strategies. These enhanced capabilities will empower educators to gain a deeper understanding of each student’s unique needs, equipping them with the necessary tools to effectively support the whole child.
To explore more about Illuminate Education and its comprehensive solutions, please visit illuminateed.com.
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