Assessment for Learning in Physical Education: The What, Why and How

Assessment in physical education has undergone significant changes since in the 1990s. Teachers now place less emphasis on fitness test scores and dressing out, and more on skills and knowledge according to SHAPE America's National Standards for K–12 Physical Education. More teachers are looking into formative assessments, rather than a summative score. “Formative assessment” and “assessment for learning” are terms that are usually used synonymously. However, some writers distinguished between these two terms and argued that they served different purposes. Regardless, formative assessment and assessment for learning have been shown to have a positive impact on teaching and learning. This article clarifies the terms and purposes of formative assessment and assessment for learning, provides examples of various types of formative assessment and assessment for learning activities in physical education, and explains why teachers should include them as part of their physical education instruction.