Middle School Assessments that Contribute to Literacy Goals

Abstract

Assessment in physical education is not new. What is new is a national focus on teacher evaluation systems that include the use of student achievement scores from administered assessments. An additional educational focus is on the implementation of Common Core Learning Standards in all subject areas, including physical education. Physical educators are now being charged with implementing literacy concepts throughout their curricula. Although many effective physical educators have incorporated literacy concepts into their curricula for decades, recent reform efforts have placed the added expectation of documenting student learning in physical education. This article presents examples of field-tested middle school assessments that could be used in teacher evaluation systems to show student learning. The assessments presented can also be used as viable, realistic, and authentic evaluations in physical education that contribute to literacy goals associated with the Common Core Learning Standards.