Background: Pre-service teacher education (PSTE) programmes for generalist primary school teachers have limited time allocated to Physical Education, Health and Personal Development. In practice, teachers in schools are required to assess motor skills despite the fact that their training provides minimal preparation. This necessitates creative…

Fitness testing is an important assessment tool used by physical educators for many purposes. Some states require fitness testing to monitor individual student progress throughout the school year. Some physical educators use it to monitor the effects of the physical education curriculum and to teach concepts such as goal setting and personal…

This paper describes two practical assessment procedures that enable teachers to use time more efficiently in physical education class. One approach is for teachers who want to use validated or invalidated skills tests, and the other approach takes advantage of instructional progression steps. (SM)

This paper presents, in question-and-answer format, a discussion of the complexities and implications of physical education theory and suggestions for applying this knowledge to the development of physical fitness programs in Canadian schools. The questions consider: (1) the need for physical exercise; (2) definition of physical fitness; (3) basic…

The research consortium program of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance is comprised of free papers, posters, symposia, and invited lectures. Of the approximately 450 research abstracts submitted for the 1991 research symposium, those recommended for presentation are included in this volume. The topics covered…

Paper describes two assessment projects that provide examples of how preservice physical educators design, implement, and understand assessment, focusing on formative assessment. A volleyball project occurred in a middle school where students had physical education twice weekly. A gymnastics project occurred in an elementary school where teachers…