.png "TEA News Release 2")
June 26, 2008
Contacts:
Debbie Ratcliffe, 512 463-9000
Amy George, 972-560-3236
Statewide student fitness test results to be released Tuesday
What: The Texas Education Agency will release preliminary statewide results of a physical fitness assessment on Tuesday, July 1, at 10:30 a.m. in the Senate Press Room (E2.9) at the Capitol.
Senate Bill 530, sponsored by Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, and Rep. Rob Eissler, R-The Woodlands, expanded physical education and created the nation’s first required annual physical fitness assessment of public school students in grades three through 12. The FITNESSGRAM®, created by The Cooper Institute, was selected by the Texas Education Agency as the official assessment tool.
During this first year, about 2.6 million students have been assessed. The commissioner of education will release results at the press conference that show the percentage of students who achieved the "Healthy Fitness Zone" in all areas tested. The tests measure body composition, aerobic capacity, strength, endurance and flexibility.
This fall the TEA will release the correlation between the fitness results and 10 data segments including academic achievement, discipline problems, obesity and substance abuse, among others.
When: 10:30 a.m. July 1
Where: Senate Press Room, 2nd Floor, State Capitol Building
Live streaming available online at: http://www.senate.state.tx.us/bin/live.php
Who: Commissioner Robert Scott, Texas Education Agency
Sen. Jane Nelson, District 12
Dr. Kenneth Cooper, Founder, The Cooper Institute
Parent Cody Carlson of Austin