Spotlight on Student Learning
In the School of Education and Human Service, students are being assessed and helping to assess others. Physical and Health Education Teacher Education (PHETE) majors enrolled in Teaching Methods of Physical Education (PED 441/PEG 541B) and Assessment in Physical Education (PED 371/PEG 571) conduct fitness testing with Buffalo Public School (BPS) #99 in the fall and spring semesters. The fitness assessment utilized is the Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE) America’s Fitnessgram Assessment, which includes the PACER, Push-Up, Sit and Reach, and Curl-Up tests. The experience is enjoyable for the children and allows PHETE majors to analyze pre- and post-test data and to conduct fitness assessments in an authentic environment.
Candidates prepare a report with findings and future recommendations which are shared with the physical educator and staff of BPS #99. The assignment aligns with New York State’s certification exam the Educative Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA). This is a new performance-based teacher exam that requires candidates to submit a portfolio of artifacts that demonstrate their teaching practice for evaluation.
Pictured above:
In the spotlight: PHETE majors conducting the curl-up test on fourth grade students of BPS #99
Extra: PHETE majors administering the PACER test on fourth grade students of BPS #99
Submitted by: Sara Morris, PhD, associate vice president, academic affairs