Proceed with a big dollop of caution. There is a new resource being pitched to primary schools. It is called School Fitness Test. The website states that the focus is on Improving Kids Health. The School Fitness Test is an assessment and reporting program for school aged students. The program was developed in response to the need for a comprehensive set of assessment procedures in physical education programs. (From the website) After testing students, loading student results, and sending them off, schools will be able to access/produce a individualised report to give to each student and their parent(s). The School Fitness Test report defines the fitness level for each test and if improvement is required (website). These reports disturbingly detail students name, age, weight, height, bmi and then proceed to detail each students level of fitness for each component of fitness - before providing advice about changing behaviour to improve scores. This sort of programme does not appear to reflect: the intent of the NZC and the learning area of HPE; holistic notions of wellbeing; or an approach that celebrates inclusive pedagogies and practices. While resources like this may present as an pragmatic tool for doing, testing and reporting for PE - we really need to think critically about what purpose they really serve. For us it raises questions about what will the REAL learning be for primary school children from engaging in such programmes and receiving their report? We would encourage teachers, school leaders, parents, and communities to think careful before making a choice to use the school fitness test.
Posted on: Wed, 20 Nov 2013 07:10:07 +0000
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