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Students will receive a Fitnessgram
Faubion Middle School eighth-graders Brianne Hansen and Elizabeth Zupanic demonstrate how to do push-ups, which is a test item on the Fitnessgram assessment. Stefanie White/McKinney Courier-Gazette
By Stefanie White, McKinney Courier-Gazette
All McKinney ISD students in grades 3 through 12 will be given the Fitnessgram physical fitness assessment this spring, in accordance with a new state law.
“You are not graded,” said Joy Williams, McKinney ISD physical education and health specialist. “It’s a state-mandated test.”
The Fitnessgram, developed by The Cooper Aerobic Institute for Aerobic Research, is a health-related fitness assessment that will test all students regardless of race, gender or ability. It is not based on athletic ability.
The six test items will include:
Williams said the tests do not compare students to other students, and nurses on each campus are involved in the measurements and weighing.
“They’re not a pass/fail. They’re if you’re in the fitness zone or not,” Williams said. “It’s a private thing. The data will be sent in to the [Texas Education Agency] in a mass form. It won’t show little Johnny is overweight.”
Students who cannot participate for some reason can take the assessment at a later date or do it the next year, Williams said.
Several years ago, McKinney ISD and other districts did the President’s Physical Fitness test, which was similar to the Fitnessgram. Some school districts have already done the Fitnessgram test before it became a mandate.
Williams said the district is anticipating the Fitnessgram assessment will be able to track students from elementary until high school.
“Our district is excited about it,” Williams said. “We’re jumping into this with both feet. They want to really get the program going.”
The district is anticipating starting the Fitnessgram in the elementary schools first, then bringing into the middle and high schools.
Copies of the Fitnessgram assessment results will be available to parents at each of the individual campuses. Parents can call Williams at 469-742-7704 with any questions.
Next year, the middle schools will also see a change in physical education classes. Another state law will require that middle school students take PE in four of their six semesters. In the past, PE was an elective course.
While PE might have been once a class of dodgeball and other similar activities, Williams said PE now is different than years ago.
“PE has come a long way,” Williams said. “We have fabulous PE classes. We’re trying to teach them [kids] sports and activities for a lifetime.”
Williams said McKinney ISD officials are looking forward to seeing results from the Fitnessgram and helping children lean toward a healthy lifestyle.
“A more physically fit kid is a smarter kid or a better student,” Williams said.
Contact staff writer Stefanie White at swhite@acnpapers.com. To post comments online, access this story at www.scntx.com.
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