Student Assessment in Physical Education

SHAPE America has defined the essential components of physical education.

Student Assessment — one of the four essential components of physical education — is the gathering of evidence about student achievement and making inferences about student progress based on that evidence.

Student assessment is aligned with national and/or state physical education standards and established grade-level outcomes, and is included in the written physical education curriculum, along with administration protocols. It includes evidence-based practices that measure student achievement in all areas of instruction, including physical fitness.

Grading is related directly to the student learning objectives identified in the written physical education curriculum, and the physical education teacher follows school district and school protocols for reporting and communicating student progress to students and parents.

Overall, student assessment provides accountability for standards-based learning and is a key component of the education process in all subject areas.

Student Assessment Resources

• Body Mass Index Measurement in Schools: Executive Summary
• PE Metrics
• Appropriate Instructional Practice Guidelines, K-12: A Side-by-Side Comparison
• System for Observing Fitness and Instruction Time (SOFIT)
• Appropriate and Inappropriate Fitness Assessment Practices position statement 

The Essential Components
of Physical Education