Attachment
Information on
Existing Physical Fitness
Assessments
Physical Fitness Assessments
Pursuant to Senate Bill (CS/CS/SB) 354, Section 2, paragraph (2), which states that the Department of
Education shall select or develop by March 1, 2005, a physical fitness assessment instrument that school
districts may use in assessing and reporting individual student fitness, and a standard report form for this
information which may be provided to parents, the Department must assess the availability of physical
fitness assessments in Florida’s public schools, as well as select or develop a physical fitness assessment
that districts may use in assessing student physical fitness.
The Department of Education has identified two fitness assessments that are most frequently used in
Florida’s public schools. Additional information related to current assessment strategies will be collected by
the physical education survey and included in the February 1, 2005, Physical Education Study and Report
to the Governor and the Legislature.
The two most commonly used instruments are reviewed in the following materials. The following pages
contain information on these assessments:
-
President’s Challenge
-
FITNESSGRAM
The websites for each assessment are included for more information.
Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) provides on-line access to the School Health Index,
an assessment instrument developed to review the status of the health education and behaviors in
schools. For more information or a copy of the Index, visit apps.nccd.cdc.gov/shi/Default.aspx, or e-mail
CDC at healthyyouth@cdc.gov or call (888) 231-6405.
1
Office of Safe and Healthy Schools
December 2004
PRESIDENT’S CHALLENGE
The President’s Challenge is a series of programs designed to help improve one’s activity level. It is the
latest initiative introduced by the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports to help promote the
benefits of fitness for all Americans.
The President’s Challenge offers different programs for people of all different ages and abilities. Each
program helps identify realistic goals to encourage fitness for a lifetime. A personal activity log records
activities right online. There are also special Presidential awards for completing each program.
Key Components:
•
Aerobic Capacity - one-mile run or distance option, shuttle-run
•
Muscular Strength/Endurance - 90° angle push-up or pull-up, curl-up/partial curl-up
•
Flexibility - V-Sit or Sit/Reach
•
Body Composition – Not Applicable (N/A)
Assessment Criteria:
•
The Presidential Physical Fitness Award
- Students who score above 85th percentile on
all five events (these levels represent the 85th percentile based on the 1985 School
Population Fitness Survey).
•
The National Physical Fitness Award
- Students who score above 50th percentile on all
five events (these levels represent the 50th percentile based on the 1985 School
Population Fitness Survey).
•
The Participant Physical Fitness Award
- Students whose scores fall
below
the 50th
percentile on one event or more receive this award for taking part in all five events
Student/Parent Reports:
•
Fitness File is a new on-line tool just for educators. It makes administering the Physical
Fitness and Health Fitness tests as simple as possible--from setting up tests and entering
results to creating reports and determining student awards.
•
Instructors conduct fitness tests and determine student awards. Each school may have as
many instructors registered as necessary. An instructor's responsibilities include:
1.
Setting up the Physical Fitness or Health Fitness Program
2.
Recording Students' Test Scores
3.
Running Fitness Testing Reports for One’s School
Price:
•
President’s Emblem/Certificate= $1.50 per Student
•
Wall Chart of Award Standards= $1.00 per Chart
•
Get Fit Handbook (Optional) = $1.25 per Student
Technical Support:
All applications/forms can be downloaded in PDF format.
Website:
www.presidentschallenge.org
2
Office of Safe and Healthy Schools
December 2004
FITNESSGRAM
The FITNESSGRAM is a computerized tool that enables a school district to perform quality fitness
assessments, physical activity assessments, and other related tasks. The package includes software, a
test manual, and reference guide. Schools can use FITNESSGRAM in grades K-12 to help children and
youths improve their levels of health-related fitness, and to develop patterns of lifelong, health-promoting
physical activity. ACTIVITYGRAM is an option for students to assess their own physical activities inside
and outside the school setting.
Key Components:
•
Aerobic Capacity - PACER test (20-minute multi-stage shuttle-run set to music), or one-mile
run, walk test
•
Muscular Strength, Endurance, and Flexibility - curl-up, trunk lift, back saver sit/reach shoulder
stretch, (push-up, modified pull-up, pull-up, or flex arm hang)
•
Body composition – Skin-fold measurement or Body Mass Index
Assessment Criteria:
•
Criterion-referenced health standards called the “Healthy Fitness Zone” instead of National
averages
Student/Parent Reports:
•
Report provides individual student test results, test results for all students, level of achievement
compared to healthy fitness standards, and suggestions for improvement that can be shared
with students.
•
Students and parents receive a summary of the fitness assessment with suggestions to help
them reach the “Healthy Fitness Zone” in the areas where there may be a need for
improvement.
Price:
•
$209/kit – one FITNESSGRAM Kit per school
•
Kit includes: Software - 6.0 (8.0 Available 1/05),Test Manual and Skin Caliper, Curl-Up
Rubber Strips and PACER Lap Counter (Audiocassette and CD), Sample FITNESSGRAM
Report, Healthy Fitness Zone Clipboard, and Wall Chart
•
Discount pricing is available for multiple kit purchases. Customized packages and pricing
also available.
Technical Support:
FITNESSGRAM technical support and knowledgeable help are available.
Website:
www.fitnessgram.net or www.humankinetics.com
3
Office of Safe and Healthy Schools
December 2004
Comparison of Physical Fitness Assessment Instruments
Key Features
President’s Challenge
FITNESSGRAM
Age Level
6-17 years old
5-18 Years Old
Aerobic Capacity
One-mile run or distance option
Shuttlerun
Pacer Test - 20-Minute Multi-Stage Shuttle-Run Set to Music
One Mile Run
Walk Test-Secondary Level Option
Muscular Strength/Endurance
90° Angle Push-Ups or Pull-Ups
Curl-Ups or Partial Curl-Ups
Curl-Up, Trunk Lift
Pull-Up/Modified Pull-Up
90° Angle Push-Up
Flex-Arm Hang
Flexibility
V-Sit or Sit/Reach
Back Saver Sit/Reach Shoulder Stretch
Body Composition
NA
Body Mass Index
Skin Fold Assessment
Assessment Criteria
Qualifying Standards
The Presidential Physical Fitness Award
Participants must at least reach these levels in all five events in order
to qualify for the Presidential Physical Fitness Award. These levels
represent the 85th percentile based on the 1985 School Population
Fitness Survey.
The National Physical Fitness Award
Participants must at least reach these levels in all five events in order
to qualify for the National Physical Fitness Award. These levels
represent the 50th percentile based on the 1985 School Population
Fitness Survey.
The Participant Physical Fitness Award
Boys and Girls who attempt all five items, but whose scores fall
below
the 50th percentile on one or more of them are eligible to receive the
Participant Award
Uses Criterion-Referenced Health Standards Called the “Healthy
Fitness Zone” Rather than National Averages
Student Reports
On-Line Tool Creates Reports and Determines Student Awards
Software Creates Detailed Reports for Students, Parents and
Administrators
Parent Reports
On-Line Tool Creates Reports and Determines Student Awards
Software creates detailed reports for students, parents and
administrators
Teacher Training
Physical Education Teacher are Already Qualified to Administer the
Programs
Test Administration Manual Shows One How to Conduct the Fitness
Test and Provides Detail Instructions on How to Use The Software
Technical Support/Resources
www.presidentschallenge.org
www.humankinetics.com
Price
President’s Emblem/Certificate= $1.50
Wall Chart of Award Standards= $1.00
“Get Fit” Handbook (optional) = $1.25
$209/kit – one kit/school
Discount pricing available for multiple kits