Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Bleier
The project was undertaken by the their administration, the two sets of per
Survey Research Center of the Univer centile scores on each test, and recom
sity of Michigan, under the direction mendations for cumulative record keep
of Paul A. Hunsicker. Eighty-five hun ing. At that time many schools through
dred boys and girls in grades five through out the country inaugurated the testing
twelve in schools throughout the country program outlined in the manual and re-
were given a battery of seven test items. evaluated the activities of their physical
These items consisted of pull-ups (modi education programs in terms of their con
fied for girls), sit-ups, shuttle-run, stand tribution to the fitness of all boys and
ing broad jump, 50-yard dash, softball girls.
throw for distance, and the 600 yard run- The President's Council on Youth Fit
walk From these test results two sets ness has received further impetus and
of percentile scores were worked out, implementation during the Kennedy ad
one based on age and the other on ministration. In 1961 the Council and the
the Neilson-Cozens Classification Index, American Association for Health, Physi
which involves age, weight and height. cal Education, and Recreation joined
In 1958 the Association published its forces in the preparation of Youth Physi
Youth Fitness Test Manual.2 This con cal Fitness: Suggested Elements of a
tained information regarding the tests, School-Centered Program. 3 The follow-
* American Association for Health, Physical 3 President's Council on Youth Fitness. Youth
Education, and Recreation. Youth Fitness Test Physical Fitness: Suggested Elements of a
Manual. Washington, D. C.: the Association, School-Centered Program. Washington, D. C.:
1958. Superintendent of Documents, July 1961.
All other pupils are encouraged and Fifth grade boy* doing putt-up*.
challenged to continue to increase their
fitness status. Preclass time provides an
opportunity for special fitness exercises achievement revealed by the testing pro
on chinning bars and for individual con gram. Each group had its own instructor.
ditioning exercises. Any pupil working on This proved very successful; content
improving his physical abilities may par could be better organized and adapted
ticipate. "Homework" is provided for all. to the level of pupils with similar ca
pacities, skills, and physical character
istics, and progression and continuity
Better Teaching were implemented. Many pupils who pre
With the information afforded by test viously had not had that experience now
results, more effective teaching is made had a chance to excel, to assume leader
possible. The instructor can now provide ship, and to derive greater satisfaction
for individual differences on the basis of from participation.
tangible data. Suspected handicaps indi This year the plan is being extended to
cated by low test scores may be checked two class periods during the day. Pupils
out by medical referral. Overweight and in grades six through twelve will be in
underweight pupils can be helped to cluded. Grade level, as well as ability,
work out sensible diet and exercise pro is considered in setting up these groups.
grams. An understanding of the meaning While single grade groups are prefer
of the test results motivates pupils to able, the grouping of pupils of like abil
work toward self-improvement. ities from two consecutive grades; i.e.,
During the 1961-62 school year, an ex 7-8, 8-9, etc., is permissible. Depending
periment in ability grouping in physical on the number of pupils reporting and
education was carried out. One class the number of instructors available, two
period was selected and pupils reporting or three groups may be set up. The two-
that period were grouped (boys and group plan would consist of pupils of
girls separately) according to levels of low-low average abilities and those of
March 1963
high average-high abilities. The three- for multiple use. Grassy areas provide for
group plan would divide pupils into low, softball, touch football, and other team
average and high ability groups. and individual sports.
Special recognition award certificates A modified gymnastic program in ele
are given to pupils who have made note mentary and junior high schools has been
worthy improvement in their fitness made possible through the installation of
status. Underdeveloped pupils who have chinning bars and the use of vaulting
been able to bring their scores up to the boxes, low parallel bars, and balance
Dade County 50 percentile and pupils beams. Recently we devised a rope-
who have no single test score below the climbing rig that will become a standard
80 percentile receive this recognition. installation. It consists of galvanized pipe
Satisfactory school citizenship is a pre used for the uprights and four "arms."
requisite. Some schools have Physical Fit Fixtures are attached for eight climbing
ness clubs, designated by colors as status ropes. For the elementary schools the rig
symbols. Raw scores on Dade County is 12 feet high; for the junior high schools,
percentiles made on the seven-test bat it is 16 feet high. By the middle of this
tery determine club classification. Mem school year most of our elementary and
bers of the 420 club have no score below junior high schools will have the fore
the 50 percentile; members of the 560 going equipment, as well as horizontal
club have no score below the 70 per ladders (6' x 12' elementary) (7'6" x
centile; and those in the 650 club have 16' junior high) installed on their play
no score below the 90 percentile. grounds. With these various pieces of
We have reemphasized activities def equipment available, more pupils can
initely geared to development of stamina, participate in a wider range of individual
muscular strength and endurance, and ized activities, either during the pre-class
coordination. This has not been done, period, or, if prescribed by the instructor,
however, at the expense of the sports and during the period allotted for body con
games and rhythmic activities which are ditioning exercises.
an integral part of a well-rounded physi Unfortunately, in some quarters it has
cal education program. We have taken been considered a mark of sophistication
those steps which we feel are vital in and superior intelligence to belittle the
fulfilling our obligation to determine the importance of physical activity and to
fitness needs of our boys and girls and avoid participation in such activity. The
to provide the facilities, instruction and cost in life, health, and happiness has been,
guidance necessary to meet those needs and will continue to be incalculable un
adequately. less the children of the nation are given
the opportunities, through the facilities,
equipment, time allotment, and compe
A Concerted Effort
tent instruction necessary for a sound fit
Our senior high schools all have gym ness program, to realize their individual
nasiums, many of which have adequate fitness potentials.
gymnastic equipment. In addition, all Arthur Esslinger of the University of
have athletic fields. The playgrounds of Oregon has aptly said:
our elementary schools and our junior It doesn't make much sense to put so
high schools are our physical education much effort and money into preparing fine
classrooms. Hard court areas are planned (Continued on page 391)