Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
SHAPE America and AIR Assessment Partner to Pilot
National Assessment for Health & Physical Education
RESTON, VA, November 30, 2017 — SHAPE America - Society of Health and Physical Educators is partnering with AIR Assessment, a division of the American Institutes for Research, on a pilot project to develop an assessment of student learning in health and physical education. The test will measure the attainment of the National Standards for Physical Education which are critical to the healthy development of children and youth, including the knowledge, skills, and confidence to enjoy a lifetime of healthful physical activity. The new assessment will be known as the National Assessment for Health & Physical Education, and will be powered by AIR Assessment’s online testing and reporting platform.
“When children achieve health and physical literacy they have the skills, knowledge and confidence to lead healthy and physically active lives. Learning readiness is enhanced when children are physically literate and health literate. These assessments will provide data to help schools and districts examine children’s literacy in both physical education and health education,” said Dr. Fran Cleland, President of SHAPE America.
Starting March 2018, SHAPE America and AIR Assessment will field test the new assessments. Schools and districts can participate in the field test for free, and will receive summaries of how well their students are performing against the national content standards. Schools and districts interested in participating in the field test can learn more by visiting http://shape.portal.airast.org/learnmore.stml
“We are thrilled that our technology and the expertise of our statisticians will contribute to this initiative. Kids learn more when they are healthy and active,” said Jon Cohen, President of AIR Assessment.
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About SHAPE America
SHAPE America – Society of Health and Physical Educators is the nation’s largest membership organization of health and physical education professionals. Since its founding in 1885, the organization has defined excellence in physical education, and our National Standards for K-12 Physical Education serve as the foundation for well-designed physical education programs across the country. We provide programs, resources and advocacy to support health and physical educators at every level, from preschool to university graduate programs.
SHAPE America has 50 state affiliates and is a founding partner of national initiatives such as the Presidential Youth Fitness Program, Active Schools (formerly Let’s Move! Active Schools) and the Jump Rope For Heart/Hoops For Heart programs. “50 Million Strong by 2029” is our commitment to put all children on the path to health and physical literacy through effective health and physical education programs. For more information, visit www.shapeamerica.org.
About AIR Assessment
AIR Assessment fuses statistics, technology, and content into powerful K-12 formative, summative, and supplemental products and services. As a not-for-profit, we blend innovation and experience to develop assessment solutions that advance instruction and learning. For more information about AIR Assessment, visit www.air.org.