This is an Accessible Alternate Version (AAV) of the Program Overview (PPT; 1MB). This document provides text translation to the Overview, which is posted as a PowerPoint Presentation (PPT).
California Education Code Section 60800 requires:
- Annual administration of the Physical Fitness Test (PFT) to all students statewide in grades five, seven, and nine.
- School districts to administer the PFT between February 1 and May 31.
The FITNESSGRAM1 Assessment:
- Developed by The Cooper Institute in Dallas, Texas.
- Designated by the State Board of Education as the California PFT.
- Primary goal is for students to establish lifetime habits of regular physical activity.
1 The FITNESSGRAM and the Healthy Fitness Zone (HFZ) are registered trademarks of The Cooper Institute.
Assesses three fitness components:
- Aerobic capacity
- Body composition
- Muscle strength, endurance, and flexibility
- Abdominal strength and endurance
- Trunk extensor strength and flexibility
- Upper body strength and endurance
- Flexibility
Test options for the aerobic capacity and body composition fitness area:
Aerobic capacity
- 20-Meter PACER (Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run)
- One-Mile Run
- Walk Test (only for students 13-years old or older)
Body composition
- Skinfold Measurements
- Bioelectric Impedance Analyzer
- Body Mass Index
Test options for the muscle strength, endurance, and flexibility fitness areas:
Abdominal strength and endurance
- Curl-Up
Trunk extensor strength and flexibility
- Trunk Lift
Upper body strength and endurance
- Push-Up
- Flexed-Arm Hang
- Modified Pull-Up
Flexibility
- Back-Saver Sit and Reach
- Shoulder Stretch
Note: Detailed descriptions of each test option are available in the “2011-12 California Physical Fitness Test: Reference Guide” found in the PFT Resources section of the California PFT
Web site.
2012–13 Highlights:
- The Healthy Fitness Zone (HFZ) ranges, calculations, or scoring of any fitness area test have not changed.
- Needs Improvement - High Risk renamed to Needs Improvement - Health Risk Aerobic Capacity and Body Composition.
- 2102-13 HFZ charts are available on the California Department of Education (CDE) PFT FITNESSGRAM: Healthy Fitness Zone Charts Web Page.
- After the June 30 data submission deadline, there will be only one extended data correction window from July 5 to August 31, 2013.
- 2012-13 PFT annual release schedule for mid-October 2013 (based on data submitted and corrected by August 31, 2013).
- 212-13 passwords will be deactived September 1, 2013.
- 2013-14 PFT Coordinator Designee Form will be available September 1, 2013.
- Reports of summary results are available on the CDE PFT Web page.
Healthy Fitness Zones (HFZ):
- Criterion-referenced standards established by The Cooper Institute, which are used to evaluate fitness performance
- Represents a level of fitness that offers a degree of protection against diseases resulting from physical inactivity.
- For the PFT, the CDE considers students who exceed the HFZ (i.e., very lean) for body composition as meeting the HFZ.
2012–13 HFZ Standards:
- Performance in each fitness area is classified as in the HFZ or other level(s), depending on the fitness area.
Reporting 2011-12 Results:
Summary results are reported by:
- Percentage of students in the HFZ and percentage not in the HFZ (i.e., needs improvement) for each of the six fitness areas.
- Percentage of students in the HFZ for 6-out-of-6 through 0-out-of-6 fitness areas.
- Grade, gender, two-part race/ethnicity question, and economic status at state, county, school district, and school levels.
The PFT provides information that enables:
- Students to assess levels of health-related fitness and to plan personal fitness programs.
- Teachers to design curriculum for physical education classes.
- Parents and guardians to understand their child's fitness levels.
- Teachers, parents, and guardians to monitor changes in the students’ fitness levels.
California Department of Education Contact Information
For PFT Administration or Policy Questions:
Linda Hooper
California PFT Coordinator
Phone: 916-319-0345 or 916-445-9449
Fax: 916-319-0962
E-mail: PFT@cde.ca.gov
For Physical Education Questions:
Doug Jann
Education Programs Consultant
Phone: 916-323-5798
E-mail: djann@cde.ca.gov
