Portfolio Evaluation Standard - Assessment (EDU 6160 bPortfolio Post October 9th)

Prompt: Ask a teacher his/her opinion of statewide testing

I would begin this by saying in PE we do not have to worry about standardized tests but that is not true as we are all teachers of literacy.  However, we do not have any statewide testing for PE.  We do have FitnessGram testing however that does not count towards their grade or passing/failing in any way.  It is strictly based on trying your best and doing the tests.  The fitness tests that are preformed in every PE class include the mile or PACER, push-ups, curl ups and sit and reach.  These tests are done multiple times a year from 3^rd grade to 12^th grade. 

When talking to my mentor about how he feels about statewide testing in terms of fitness testing; we found we have the same opinions.  Fitness testing is a great tool to allow kids to assess where they are currently with their physical fitness.  Where it gets a little controversial is how PE teachers administer and handle the results.  PE teachers tend to disagree with some of the fitness tests, such as the curl up and because of this, some teachers do not administer it correctly.  If teachers administer the test differently, it changes the testing data and does not give an accurate picture.  The results that you get are compared to a “standard.”  This is another issue PE teachers have with fitness testing is the standards.  Not every student will fit into that standard no matter how physically fit they are.  In this case, it depends on how the teacher handles that information.  Do they present it in that way, letting students know they don’t have to fit the mold?  Or do they make it seem like they need to increase their fitness to meet those standards?  It is important for fitness testing to be an assessment of current physical fitness without discouraging students. 

Overall, my mentor and I agree that fitness testing can be a wonderful tool if it is done correctly and handled well.