Grading Formative Assessment in Middle School Physical Education

Abstract

Weekly fitness is a required element in the physical education (PE) program at Jackson Middle School (JMS). Solely participating in this activity is not enough to receive 100% at JMS. The agreed upon goal and vision of the PE department is to give students the skills to value physical health and fitness, and to give students the skills to maintain an actively fit lifestyle outside of PE. The controversy arises within the question of whether or not the PE students should be graded on their weekly fitness days or their semester fitness testing. As educators, are we encouraging physical fitness or causing the opposite effect on students? Although the current grading procedures at JMS may be deemed as most objective, one might question whether or not the students are being allowed to reach their true potential and whether or not they are benefiting from the current method or grading. This research project used a qualitative case study methodology. The study focused on the behavior and effort levels of and 8th graders in PE at JMS. I mainly focused on observations, surveys and interviews to gather the data needed to answer my research questions. In light of my research being carried out, the research questions regarding the formative-performance based assessment experience of low and high achieving middle school students in PE was answered. Additionally, the conclusions I came to were that the majority of middle schoolers are not intrinsically motivated enough to participate in fitness days or testing without being graded. Also, various fitness testing standards were studied, and I concluded that the rigor in which JMS PE program is designed with is a bit discouraging to the average PE student. Lastly, the overall riding question on whether fitness testing should be graded at all was attempted to be answered, by deciding that the Presidential PE Standards are catering to the naturally athletic student and the Fitness Gram Standards are more appropriate for the average PE student.