Texas Statewide Physical Fitness Testing Mandate and Students with Disabilities Portions used with permission via: Ken

1. Texas� Statewide Physical Fitness Testing Mandate and Students with Disabilities? Portions used with permission via: Kenneth H. Cooper, MD, MPH; Chairman & Chief Executive OfficerCooper Aerobics Center/Cooper Clinic; permission granted 7/15/08 The Obesity Epidemic in Children � An Alarming Trend (7/1/08) Linda Hilgenbrinck, PhD, CAPE Program Supervisor Adapted Physical Education & Visual Impairment Services Denton Independent School District Denton, Tx Supported by Texas Senator Nelson and State Representative Eissler, the first state comprehensive student physical fitness assessment was passed during the 2007 legislative session. Senate Bill 530 required that by Spring, 2008, the FITNESSGRAM be administered to ALL students in grades 3-12 regardless of age, gender, or ability. Supported by Texas Senator Nelson and State Representative Eissler, the first state comprehensive student physical fitness assessment was passed during the 2007 legislative session. Senate Bill 530 required that by Spring, 2008, the FITNESSGRAM be administered to ALL students in grades 3-12 regardless of age, gender, or ability.

4. States with Highest Obesity Rate(Children 10 �17 Years) Ranking State % of Children

5. Obesity Among Texas Children(Overweight & Obese, 2005)

7. Obesity Among Texas Children Texas businesses spent an estimated $3.3 billion on costs related to: Obesity Disability coverage Lower productivity Absenteeism Health care

8. Senate Bill 530 Passed by Texas State (Senator Jane Nelson) and House of Representatives (House Member Rob Eissler) on May 27th, 2007 Signed into Law by Governor Rick Perry on June 13th, 2007 Fitnessgram approved as official testing vehicle by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) on September 27, 2007 Law requires minimums for districts/state to follow. Results to TEA at end of May, 2008.Law requires minimums for districts/state to follow. Results to TEA at end of May, 2008.

9. Senate Bill 530 Grades K-5th Required as part of district physical education curriculum Moderate to vigorous physical activity; minimum of 30 minutes daily or via structured activity during recess Definition of structured recess Faculty member must be actively engaged with students to assure all students are physically active Is an educational session Is not free play If a school district determines, for any particular grade level below sixth grade, that this requirement is impractical due to scheduling concerns or other factors, students in that grade level may participate in moderate or vigorous physical activity for at least 135 minutes during each school week No definitions of moderate or vigorous from state; gives definition of structured recess; mentions verbage of free play.No definitions of moderate or vigorous from state; gives definition of structured recess; mentions verbage of free play.

10. Senate Bill 530 Grades 6th � 8th Required as part of district physical education curriculum Moderate to vigorous daily physical activity for at least 30 minutes for at least four semesters during those grade levels (to begin 2008-09 school year) Districts that use block scheduling, may as an alternative require students to participate in moderate or vigorous physical activity for at least 225 minutes during each two-week school period

11. Fitness Testing of Texas YouthSenate Bill 530 Signed into Law by Governor Rick PerryJune 13, 2007 ??To start a fitness and wellness movement in Texas which will spread across the country, ultimately improving the health and longevity of all Americans. ??To measure the level of fitness and determine the amount of obesity of all students in Texas, grades 3-12. ??To compare fitness level with academic achievement, absenteeism, obesity, discipline problems, and school lunch programs. ??To implement a mandatory Physical Education program in all Texas schools for grades K-8. ??To then re-evaluate these students and repeat the above comparisons to monitor the effectiveness or lack of effectiveness of this program.

12. FITNESSGRAM�Tests AEROBIC CAPACITY #1 PACER (Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run) Set to music, a paced, 20-meter shuttle run increasing in intensity as time progresses. Or One-Mile Run Students run (or walk if needed) one mile as fast as they can. Walk Test Students walk one mile as fast as they can (for ages 13 or above since the test has only been validated for this age group).

13. FITNESSGRAM�Tests BODY COMPOSITION #2 Skin Fold Test Measuring percent body fat by testing the triceps and calf areas. Or Body Mass Index (BMI) Calculated from height and weight

14. FITNESSGRAM�TestsMUSCULAR STRENGTH AND ENDURANCE #3 Curl-up Test Measuring abdominal strength and endurance, students lie down with knees bent and feet unanchored. Set to a specified pace, students complete as many repetitions as possible to a maximum of 75.

15. FITNESSGRAM�TestsMUSCULAR STRENGTH AND ENDURANCE #4 Trunk Lift Measuring trunk extensor strength, students lie face down with slowly raise their upper body long enough for the tester to measure the distance between the floor and the floor and the student�s chin.

16. FITNESSGRAM�TestsMUSCULAR STRENGTH AND ENDURANCE #5 Push-Up Measuring upper body strength lower body to a 90-degree elbow angle and push up. Set to a specific pace, students complete as many repetitions as possible. Or Modified Pull-Up (proper equipment required) With hands on a low bar, legs straight and feet touching the ground, students pull up as many repetitions as possible. Flexed Arm Hang Students hang their chin above a bar as long as possible.

17. FITNESSGRAM�TestsFlexibility #6 Back-Saver Sit and Reach Testing one leg at a time, students sit with one knee bent and one leg straight against a box and reach forward. Or Shoulder Stretch With one arm over the shoulder one arm tucked under behind the back, students try to touch their fingers and then alternate arms.

18. Texas Youth Evaluation Project 2008FITNESSGRAM�TestsPrimary responsibility: Texas Youth Evaluation Project - The Cooper Institute, Dallas, Texas. The Cooper Institute will be responsible for program implementation, testing, training of students, collection, and analysis of data From data a �Healthy Fitness Zone� or �HFZ� is determined �HFZ� conveys exhibited competency across all 6 test areas Districts select 6 test areas Inaugural phase: 3.4 million students in Grades 3-12th 2,596,565 (2.6 million) were tested More than 8000 schools

19. Texas Youth Evaluation Project 2008 Results

20. Texas Education Agency Physical Fitness Assessment Initiative Additional Analyses �September 1, 2008 % Passing each of the six tests Regional comparisons Ethnic comparisons Comparison with other states

21. Texas Education Agency Physical Fitness Assessment Initiative 10 Variables Compared with Levels of Fitness -Sep 1, 2008 Attendance Rate Eligible for free lunch program Eligible for reduced lunch program TAKS Occurrence of substance abuse Occurrence of violence Occurrence of weapons Occurrence of truancy _____________________________ Obesity Diabetes

22. Hey�What�s missing? No mention of aggregated data from SWDs Why? Further information available: Texas Education Agency www.tea.state.tx.us/curriculum/hpe Exemptions for SWDs via TEA Commissioner of Education, Robert Scott: www.tahperd.org/HOME_PDFs/Exemptions_Students_with_Disabilities.pdf Fitness testing position statement by Silliman-French, Buswell, & French: www.tahperd.org/LINKS/links_pdfs/Fitness_Testing_Special_Needs.pdf www.FITNESSGRAM.net/texas

23. District 2007-08 20,117 students 1 Early childhood center 19 Elementary schools 5 Middle schools 4 High schools 1 Alternative education school 1 Juvenile detention center school APE Program Students 2,356 in special education 192 with APE services 116 in Grades 3-12th 56 included in testing (48%) Not included in testing: absence/uninformed self contained class of testing dates (13) refusal /behavioral issue (8) medically fragile/physical limitations (7) late enrollment/transfer/ withdrawal (3) K-2 and PPCD caseload students automatically not included. Denton population now 110,000. K-2 and PPCD caseload students automatically not included. Denton population now 110,000.