Beginning January 2012, all schools throughout the state of Georgia will be participating in the FITNESSGRAM fitness assessment which measures health-related fitness for youth.

The FITNESSGRAM physical fitness assessment measures aerobic capacity, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, and body composition. We ask that you encourage your child to participate with his/her best effort and to the best of their ability. The FITNESSGRAM assessment is a measure of good health as opposed to athletic ability. Each student will be assessed using the following assessment components:

• PACER or One-Mile Run

• Curl-Up

• Push-Up

• Back-Saver Sit and Reach

• Height/Weight

FITNESSGRAM is considered a quality fitness assessment for the following reasons:

1. FITNESSGRAM assessments use criterion-referenced standards. This means that a student can compare his/her scores with standards that have been identified for good health. This type of system prevents students from being compared to other students participating in the assessment.

2. FITNESSGRAM assesses the current fitness level of students and promotes individual goal setting to allow students to take ownership of their health.

3. FITNESSGRAM does not assess skill or athletic ability.

A confidential FITNESSGRAM report will be provided for each student to take home. This report will include your child’s scores and information on the FITNESSGRAM Healthy Fitness Zones. The Healthy Fitness Zone represents the level of fitness needed for good health. The information on this private report will not be displayed or made public.

For more information regarding the FITNESSGRAM assessment, contact your child’s physical education teacher or please refer to http://www.fitnnessgram.net/faqparents