Phys ed exam?
We need to know if (as UD suspects) the teachers cheating on these tests came out of only a handful of universities in Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi. Massive, long-term conspiracies of this sort maintain themselves through word of mouth. I’d guess that only four or five schools generated the cheaters. Once we know the identities of the schools, it’s important to publicize their names (of course accreditors, and the schools themselves, will do nothing) and warn students away from them.
November 25th, 2012 at 1:40PM
A description of the physical education exam, with sample questions, is here.
The questions are the “have you memorized our textbook, which is mostly propaganda for buying our other textbooks” kind:
“According to most sport sociologists, a sport is primarily described as what kind of activity?
“(A) idealized
“(B) institutionalized
“(C) masculinized
“(D) professionalized”
…
“The best choice of available fitness tests for a teacher to use to assess students with disabilities is the
“(A) Brockport Physical Fitness Test (BPFT)
“(B) Fitnessgram
“(C) President’s Challenge
“(D) Activitygram”
“The correct answer is (A). The Brockport Physical Fitness Test (BPFT) is a criterion-referenced, health-related test of physical fitness appropriate for students with disabilities. The BPFT is customized to meet the needs of all students with varying abilities.”
…
“Which of the following would be the best example of authentic assessment for a basketball skills unit?
“(A) Using standardized instruments on basketball skills at the end of the unit
“(B) Using district-devised assessments of skills at the end of the unit
“(C) Developing a rubric to assess learners as they move through the unit
“(D) Counting the number of baskets made in a class game”
“The correct answer is (C). Authentic assessment uses a rubric. Choices (A) and (B) are incorrect because neither mentions the use of a rubric, while choice (D) is not a recommended best practice in physical education.”
So there you have it: authentic assessment uses a rubric. If that’s too hard to remember, have someone else take your test!
November 25th, 2012 at 2:56PM
Thanks, Dom. I did wonder…
November 25th, 2012 at 3:32PM
Ouch. What a test. No wonder people had to cheat to pass it.