Connecticut PE Assessment

Physical fitness is an important component of Connecticut’s overall educational program goals. It is expected that by the end of Grade 12 students will recognize the importance of and choose to participate regularly in physical activities designed to maintain and enhance healthy lifestyles. The Connecticut Physical Fitness Assessment (CPFA) is evidence of a commitment to the physical development of Connecticut’s students, as well as a commitment to focusing on outcomes and specific performance objectives. Physical fitness should be a result of the balance of activities that are provided in the physical education programs at school and continued by the family and in other community activities. This assessment should not be the focus of the entire physical education curriculum or program. Rather, the assessment should be a part of the ongoing process of helping children understand and improve and/or maintain their physical health and well-being.

The goals of the assessment program are to:

• provide for continual monitoring of students fitness levels in targeted grades
• identify a student’s weaknesses and strengths so that areas in need of improvement can be seen and individual programs can be developed;
• inform students and parents about student fitness status; and
• inform schools, districts and the public about programs focusing on fitness and physical activity in our schools and evaluate their success.

The test includes:

• P.A.C.E.R. stands for Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run. It is a multi-stage fitness test, performed in a shuttle-run format, that helps children pace themselves effectively.
• The back-saver sit-and-reach is a measure of joint flexibility, which is important to overall functional health. Stretchability and symmetry of the hamstring muscles at the back of the legs, and flexibility of the spine are important to general fitness, injury avoidance and long-term back health.
• The 90-degree push-up is a test of upper body muscle strength and endurance. Strength and endurance of the muscles of the upper body are important in activities of daily living, maintaining functional health and promoting good posture.
• The curl-up is a test of abdominal strength and endurance. Strength and endurance of abdominal muscles are important in promoting good posture and correct pelvic alignment, both important elements in good back health.