The Cooper Institute's FITNESSGRAM Selected as Statewide Physical Fitness Asses...( Texas Schools to Receive Program Th...),Health

Texas Schools to Receive Program This Fall for Testing by End of School

Year

RICHARDSON, Texas, Sept. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- The Texas Education Agency (TEA) announced today it has selected FITNESSGRAM(R), created by The Cooper Institute and published by Human Kinetics, as the statewide physical fitness assessment tool. The annual testing of more than four million Texas 3rd through 12th grade students is a new requirement detailed in Senate Bill 530 that also enhanced physical education (PE) activity for K-5th graders this school year.

"The Texas Education Agency, after a thorough evaluation, finds that the FITNESSGRAM meets the requirements for a physical assessment tool as outlined in SB 530. We are happy to work with all parties, including school districts, the state, private groups and others, to implement the FITNESSGRAM in public schools this school year. We believe this annual fitness assessment will help guide efforts to improve the health of Texas children," said Jeff Kloster, TEA's associate commissioner of Health, Safety and School Readiness.

FITNESSGRAM measures aerobic capacity, body composition, muscular strength, endurance and flexibility. Students do not "pass" or "fail" tests, rather the student's performance is evaluated against standards for a healthy level of fitness based on gender and age. The goal is for all students to achieve a "Health Fitness Zone" for each test. Each student's results are complied in a report and, when appropriate, suggestions for improvement are included.

More than 1,000 schools in Texas already use FITNESSGRAM including Arapaho Classical Magnet School in the Richardson Independent School District. Two dozen of its elementary students showcased the FITNESSGRAM tests during a "show and tell" at school today.

"Richardson ISD is pleased to host this event to stress the importance of exercise among young people," said Superintendent Dr. David Simmons. "Many
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