Executive Summary

2010-11 FITNESSGRAM® Results

W.Va. State Code §18-2-7a … (d) The State Board shall prescribe a program within the existing health and physical education program which incorporates fitness testing, reporting, recognition, fitness events and incentive programs which requires the participation in grades four through eight and the required high school course…

In October 2005, the West Virginia Board of Education revised Policy 2520.6 Physical Education Content Standards and Objectives to require annual administration of the FITNESSGRAM® in grades four through eight and high school physical education courses beginning with the 2006-07 school year. Professional development in the administration of the FITNESSGRAM® was provided bythe Regional Education Service Agencies (RESAs) and county staff development sessionsfor both new and veteran teachers to insure uniformity in conducting the assessment. All 55 counties administer the FITNESSGRAM®, and approximately 100,000 West Virginia students were tested last year.

FITNESSGRAM establishes a baseline of a healthy fitness zone from which students can set goals and check their progress (non-competitive) to plan for lifelong physical activity and to maintain and improve their fitness level. FITNESSGRAM assessment provides the student with personal information that may be used in planning a personal fitness program and developing motivation to take care of their health to reach their maximum potential.

Physical education teachers report grade level FITNESSGRAM® results through the West Virginia Education Information System (WVEIS) Tenth Month Report. For each test category, teachers report the number of students tested and the number of students performing in the “healthy zone” as defined by the FITNESSGRAM®. Tested and reported categories include: aerobic capacity, body composition, curl-up, upper body strength, flexibility and trunk lift. Statewide trend results for all grade levels from the past four five years are depicted in following table.

Trends from 2007-2011: Percentage of Students in the Healthy Fitness Zones

Year / Aerobic / Body Composition / Curl Up / Upper Body Strength / Flexibility / Trunk Lift
2010-11 / 58 / 64 / 79 / 67 / 76 / 79
2009-10 / 68 / 68 / 82 / 69 / 81 / 87
2008-09 / 68 / 68 / 82 / 69 / 80 / 87
2007-08 / 69 / 67 / 83 / 70 / 81 / 87
2006-07 / 65 / 68 / 82 / 69 / 81 / 86

Conclusion:

Trend data indicates the assessments are being conducted uniformly throughout the past four five years. The majority of students are performing in the Healthy Fitness Zone in all areas. Data indicates a decrease in the five health-related components of fitness. Most children can achieve the health-related fitness standards if they perform sufficient amounts of physical activity on a regular basis. The “Let’s Move! WV Active Schools Campaign” provides this opportunity.There has been very little change in each testing category in the past four years. Major concerns continue to be aerobic capacity, body composition, and upper body strength. Regular participation in aerobic physical activity (sustained movement of large muscle groups) before, during and after school may help children improve in these areas. A study supporting this using accelerometers (“ Assessing Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity (MVPA) in WV Elementary School PE - Lucas C. Moore, EdD, WVU”) found that WV students engaged in MVPA for approximately 26% of their PE class time. Improvements to the PE curriculum may be needed in order to meet the recommended physical activity guidelines (50% of class spent in MVPA).

(Mary, who recommends 50%?)

County superintendents, county instructional leaders, county testing coordinators, county School Wellness Council chairpersons and school principals will receive a report with county, school and state scores. Results will also be posted on the Office of Healthy Schools website.

Information from this report should be used for the continuous improvement of physical education programs and related professional development. County school systems are encouraged to review the FitnessGram® data for their county schools and determine needs curriculum changes related to improving performance. Counties may employ a variety of strategies to improve, including but not limited to: professional developmentfor physical education teachers covering correct test administration and record keeping tools, test data analysis, curriculum mapping and instructional strategiesto design the physical education program to improve students fitness in the areas of greatest need.

The WVDE Office of HealthySchools and Regional Education Service AgencyRESA School Wellness Specialists are available to assist county school systems with the following:

  • training for FitnessGram® administration
  • analysis of trend FitnessGram® data
  • utilization of FitnessGram ® data to plan targeted professional development for physical educators
  • coordination of physical education professional development

Note: Fitness test results are just one tool used to measure student progress in physical education. In order to determine student mastery of the WV Physical Education Content Standards and Objectives, multiple forms of assessment should be used. Therefore, the WVDE Office of Healthy Schools will continue to design professional development to provide physical education teachers with a variety of instructional strategies that include performance assessment materials measures that can be used in their classrooms.

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