Frequently Asked Questions
About FITNESSGRAM in Texas for School Year 2008-2009

Congratulations to Texas on a fantastic first year using FITNESSGRAM!  The Texas FAQ has been updated to reflect changes for implementation for the 2008-2009 school year.

IMPORTANT -- Information sent to all Texas schools/districts from TEA

Changes from Last Year:

  • In addition to the previous requirement to import/enter each student's name, date of birth, gender and grade-level, you will also need to enter their ethnicity into the FITNESSGRAM software.

Strongly Recommend:

  • Print and send FITNESSGRAM Report (either for student or parent) with the student to go home.  This is a practice that should be implemented universally.

Timelines:

  • You may test your students any time during the school year, but we will accept complete district data in the Spring of 2009.
  • The six required test items for an individual student should be facilitated in a short timeframe.

Primary Websites for FITNESSGRAM-related Information: 

Recommendations:

  • All students in grades 3-12 are required to be assessed once annually using FITNESSGRAM.  (Only schools receiving funds from the Texas Fitness NOW grant are required to submit pre and post data to the TEA.)  We do recommend pre and post testing each semester, particularly students in physical education or substitutes, to provide relevant and timely feedback to the students, parents and teachers regarding the individual child's health status. 
  • FITNESSGRAM outcomes should not be used as a part of the students grade.
  • Students should be taught the value of personal assessment and practice self-administration of fitness assessment strategies.
  • Students should learn how to utilize the student application of FITNESSGRAM software, including ActivityGram.  Teachers can have the students enter results in a computer lab as a timesaver for teachers and as a way for students to take ownership of their fitness results. 
  • IT staff should do the importing student data for the teachers.

 

     Data Information from Human Kinetics Technical Support

     Carrying Over Data for FITNESSGRAM Stand alone users: 

  • Because the student and FITNESSGRAM data is not centralized for the district using stand alone software, it may be preferable to  delete last year's data and start fresh each school year. 
  •  Please be sure that you have provided parents with their students FITNESSGRAM results before deleting any data.  If they ask for this information and the data is erased, you will be noncompliant. 
  • If the stand alone user is in a small district or school and may be the only physical education teacher using the program, it may be    useful to keep the student and FG data and move them to new classes. In this case, the data is retained and a long-term tracking report can be generated. 
  • With the exception of the single teacher in a small school, the rule of thumb should be for stand alone users to delete their data at the start of each school year and repopulate it with new classes and students. 

Carrying Over Data for FITNESSGRAM network users (Small Area Network or the District versions):

  •  Each of these network options uses a centralized database--either at the school or district level.  Teachers usually will not have the same students and they will need to be moved to new teacher and class relationships.  In this case, we would recommend that IT staff do another custom import if they have students associated with a PE teacher and class in the student management database. 
  •  FITNESSGRAM results stay with the student so wherever he/she is placed, the FG results stay with him/her thus making the long-term tracking report an option.  Students are then assigned to the correct teacher and class (as well as school for the district version if that information is present in the student management database). 
  • If there are no teacher or class associations (or school for the district version), then those students will need to be manually placed in the appropriate relationships. 

 We would not recommend that all student data be deleted for the network versions. 

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New FAQ for school year 2008-2009!

What is the procedure for new schools needing FITNESSGRAM software for the 2008-2009 school year?

Human Kinetics was given a list from TEA of the new schools opening for the 2008-09 school year.  These schools are to receive the FITNESSGRAM software at the same price of $230 as last year.  The kits are at no cost to the new schools with the costs (including shipping) being charged to TEA.   For these new schools ordering the FITNESSGRAM software and kit, The Cooper Institute will again forego their royalty. 

If your district has a new school that needs FITNESSGRAM software, please give Human Kinetics a call (1-800-747-4457) and ask to speak to Cheri Scott. She is the Texas sales rep and will take care of (1) verifying your school with our TEA list, and (2) sending you a FITNESSGRAM kit which corresponds to the district order of the software from last school year.  As always, IT staff should be consulted with the software order for the new school.

My district received the FITNESSGRAM software and kits last year.  Can we order more kits or manuals?   Who pays for these resources?

You can certainly order additional FITNESSGRAM kits (with no software), manuals, and other FITNESSGRAM-related products.  Unfortunately, because your district received the kits last year, you will have to pay for any FITNESSGRAM orders for this school year.  If you are in need of additional manuals, curl-up strips, or other FITNESSGRAM ancillaries, please give Cheri Scott a call at 1-800-747-4457 or email: cheris@hkusa.com.

What if my district would like to upgrade the program we received last year to one of the network versions?

Please let us know if you want to upgrade your software this year with one of these scenarios:

  1. Upgrade from Stand alone program to one of the network versions (Small Area Network or the District programs)
  2. Upgrade from the Small Area Network program to the District Server program

If you are interested in upgrading your program, here are the steps you shoud take:

  1. Review the system requirements for the network version and the network documentation on this web site.
  2. Contact our Technical Support staff to discuss what needs to be done to import student information and if you want to have data from last year entered into the upgrade program for historical purposes.
  3. Contact Cheri Scott for pricing information for the upgrade. 

What are the costs if I do upgrade my current FITNESSGRAM program to one of the network versions?

There would be an upgrade price depending on which version you are using now and which version you want for the upgrade.  Cheri Scott can help you with pricing.  Your district would have to pay these costs for the upgrade.

At a recent training I heard that an update to the FITNESSGRAM software will soon be available.  How will I know when it's ready and how do I get the update?

Human Kinetics does an update to the FITNESSGRAM software each year for a variery of reasons such as changes made to the program's operating systems by Microsoft or Apple and added enhancements to the program for our customers.  We are currently testing the FITNESSGRAM 8.4 update to the software.  Unfortunately, it is taking longer than anticipated due to the addition of several enhancements which will help not only Texas, but all other 49 states. 

Once the update is ready, we notify all of our customers via email.  The email will go to the person who initially received the license code file.  The update will only be available via web download. 

What enhancements/fixes are in the FITNESSGRAM software 8.4 update?

We've added a lot of enhancements to the update, including the following:

  1. Checks to make sure all relevant student information (i.e., date of birth to calculate the students age, grade, and gender) are present before entering FITNESSGRAM scores.
  2. Checks to make sure teachers are assigned to a specific school and not aligned under the Unassigned school.
  3. A new data validation report that shows teachers which students do not have a date of birth, grade, or gender.
  4. A new export for the Achievement of Standards report indicating if the student is in the Healthy Fitness Zone for 0 out of 6 test/fitness components up to 6 out of 6 test/fitness components.  This export will be in a flat file-comma-delimited text file.
  5. We've added the Texas PEIMs ethnicity codes to the program so they can be imported (via the custom import option) and exported. 

This is a major update to the program so be sure to download it and install it when you receive our email indicating that it is ready.

Do I need to wait until the FITNESSGRAM 8.4 update is ready before I can re-import my students and/or enter FITNESSGRAM scores from testing this fall? 

No.  Please go ahead and enter scores for this fall if you have already collected them.  There is no need to wait for the update to be ready and installed before adding scores.  The update will not affect data already entered into the program.

How do I go about preparing the FITNESSGRAM software for this school year? 

Please review the Data Management document written by our technical support staff.  Call our tech support staff with any questions you may have about importing and setting up the database for this school year. They are waiting to hear from you!

What training is being offered this school year for FITNESSGRAM?

Listed below are tentative dates for TETN teleconferences set up by TEA for this school year.

Teleconferencing/TETNs on FITNESSGRAM Implementation Requirements and Strategies (Please plan to attend each session, as critical information will be shared at each. Register with your ESC): 

  • 10/14:        9 am-12 pm                   # 31283            Test Protocols Demonstration
  • 11/12:        1 pm-4 pm                     # 31284            Grouping Strategies, Scheduling
  • 1/12:          9 am-12 pm                   # 31285            Report Development and Utilization
  • 3/31:          1pm-4pm                       # 31286           Software Usages and Upload Process

 * Please note that dates and content are subject to change. Stay informed through Marissa Rathbone's listserv.

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Previous information from the Texas FAQ

What is Senate Bill 530?

During the 80th Legislative Session, Senate Bill 530 was passed, which requires fitness assessment for all students in grades 3 to 12 starting in the 2007-2008 school year. After a thorough review and a request for offer process, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) identified FITNESSGRAM as the assessment tool to be used by all districts throughout the state.

What is FITNESSGRAM?

FITNESSGRAM is a health-related fitness assessment tool for grades K-12.  It uses criterion-referenced standards called the Healthy Fitness Zones which are based on age and gender and represent the basic levels for good health and fitness in children ages 5 - 17 years.  For information about the differences between criterion-referenced standards and normative-based standards, please read this document.  Both teachers and parents should check out this FAQ geared specifically towards common questions about the program, including questions concerning body composition. 

What if I have trouble installing my software?

When you register your program, you will automatically receive an e-mail with your license file along with instructions to access the README file on the CD for installation procedures. That e-mail will also contain the system administrator login so you can log into the program. Districts ordering the network versions will have their IT staff take care of installing the software. If you do encounter problems during the installation process, you can e-mail Human Kinetics technical support: support@hkusa.com

What is in the FITNESSGRAM kit?

The FITNESSGRAM kit includes the following: 

  •  

  • Test Administration Manual with a DVD showing test protocols and software training videos and a CD with the PACER, push-up, and curl-up cadences

  • Skinfold caliper

  • Sample 3-inch and 4.5-inch rubber curl-up strips

  • FITNESSGRAM pedometer

  • Samples of the FITNESSGRAM and ACTIVITYGRAM preprinted forms

  • Healthy Fitness Zone clipboard

  • Healthy Fitness Zone wall chart  

Note: You will receive two packages--the kit and a cardboard tube containing the wall chart.

Can I collect FITNESSGRAM data using a Palm operating system?

The PDA component in FITNESSGRAM 8 software uses PocketPC as the operating system--2002, 2003, or Mobile 5.  The PDA component is included with all FITNESSGRAM software; the PocketPC operating system is the responsibility of the customer.

FITNESSGRAM Training

    1. Bound in the FITNESSGRAM Test Administration Manual is a DVD that has footage on the correct administration of the test protocols. These are easy for teachers to use and to show students.

    2. A free FITNESSGRAM online course is available (register for the course at http://www.Fitnessgram.net/course). It is based on the manual and references it throughout the course. The course includes information on the philosophy of the program, issues facing teachers when conducting fitness testing, and the test protocols. There is an exam at the end; the course is free.   Upon successful completion of the end-of-course exam you will be able to print a certificate.  The certificate also informs you that you have earned 4 hours of Professional Development Credit in case you need this information.

What else do I need in order to administer the FITNESSGRAM tests?

Two additional resources in your FITNESSGRAM kit will help you conduct fitness testing. Also bound into the FITNESSGRAM manual is an audio CD. On the CD are audio tracks for the 15- and 20-meter PACER test as well as the cadences for the curl-up and push-up tests.

In your kit are also samples of the curl-up strips for the curl-up test.

The manual also provides instructions on conducting the individual tests along with required equipment such as mats, rulers or yardsticks, and CD players.

To construct inexpensive Sit and Reach boxes, you can build according to the instructions in the manual or you can substitute cardboard boxes or milk crates and attach a yardstick to the top of the box.  Make sure you follow the manual instructions on the placement of the yardstick.

To measure 20 meters for the PACER test, you will need to mark off a distance of 21 yards or 63 feet and 32 inches.  Sample PACER scoresheets can be found in Appendix B of the FITNESSGRAM manual. 

Copy masters for scoresheets, student fitness records, etc can be found in these locations:  (a) Appendix B of the FITNESSGRAM manual, (b) on your software CD in the PDF folder, and (c) on the manual DVD. 

Do I need to use the current PACER CD in the manual or can I use the older CD?

No.  The differences in the PACER CD bound into the 4th edition of the manual are that the laps for the PACER and the repetitions for curlup and pushup cadences are counted out loud for teachers and students.  Otherwise, these tracks are the same. 

What can I do to learn how the software works?

Use software training videos to learn about entering information and generating reports from the program. You can access the software training videos by using the following:

  1. Go to the FITNESSGRAM Web site (http://www.Fitnessgram.net/Texas/Training).

  2. The DVD in the FITNESSGRAM Manual (Fourth Edition) also contains the software training videos. To access it, read pages viii to x in the section titled How to Use This Manual and the Enclosed DVD and CD.

  3. On the FITNESSGRAM 8.3 software you received in your kit are folders containing the software training videos. There is also a README file and a license agreement file that gives you permission to place the videos on your school or district network or intranet for easy access by teachers. Please consult with your IT staff on the best way to use the videos for all physical educators in the school or district.

The FITNESSGRAM Testing Process

Submitting FITNESSGRAM Results as Specified by SB 530

Information will be forthcoming concerning the procedures that schools and districts will need to follow in order to submit FITNESSGRAM test results to the state and comply with SB 530.

All schools and districts will be able to submit their FITNESSGRAM results to TEA using a web-based program.  This program will be able to aggregate the data by school, district, grade, and gender as currently specified by SB 530.  Further, and as stated in the language of SB 530, the aggregated FITNESSGRAM data TEA receives will not have student names nor their IDs nor teacher names associated with the data. 

Testing students with special needs/disabilities

I have special needs students in my classes.  Do I have to send in fitness results to TEA?

From TAHPERD and TEA:  The law says all students in grades 3-12 are to be tested. The law allows a school district to determine if a student is unable to participate. Most districts are following the IEP for students with disabilities. They can participate in the areas they are able. Temporarily disabled students (broken arm, flu, etc.) can take the portion of the test they missed later. We agree that any student, including those with special needs, that can complete a fitness test should participate.

Most students can take the PACER aerobic test and quit when they are unable to continue. Some special needs students or those with medical notes concerning asthma, etc. may be exempted.

More information from the TEA is available here.

Testing large groups of students and students not in PE classes

SB 530 indicates that all students in grades 3-12 must go through fitness testing.  What is the best way to test large groups of students?  How do we test those students not taking physical education?   Can I use volunteers to help with testing?   

Volunteers are definitely OK as long as you train them about the FITNESSGRAM test protocols and what to look for in terms of error corrections.  That being said, if you have access to volunteers, your best solution for large groups would be to have volunteers assist you.  Please make certain that your district will allow the use of volunteers to assist with fitness testing.  Also, we encourage you to allow for students to do peer-testing and to work in stations.

There are approximately 1,200 districts in Texas and are probably going to be that many solutions for to how to deal with the SB requirement to test students not in physical education classes.  We feel strongly that you need to enlist the help of your administration to determine the best method possible for your district.  The following are possible solutions from districts who have already conducted fitness testing for students not in PE.  

  • Make fitness testing be the focus for one or two days (sort of like TAKS) and get students out of class as you need to test them.  That way you only interrupt classes for one or two days. 
  • Assign one physical education teacher to do nothing but test the students who are not in PE.
  • Have them come in the morning, at night or on weekends.
  • Hire a testing team to go around the district and test these students.

Sending FITNESSGRAM test results to TEA

Coming soon:  Information on the complete submission process for sending FITNESSGRAM test results for this schol year 2008-2009 from your campus and district to TEA.   Fitness test results can only be submitted through a specific export process--the Research Export--from the FITNESSGRAM software.  This export de-identifies student names and IDs (per SB 530) from the fitness results.

Updated:  9/25/08