News and Events

Most California Students meet 5 of 6 targets on state PE test

The Press-Enterprise

By DAYNA STRAEHLEY

11:21 AM PST on Monday, November 30, 2009

More than half of California fifth- and seventh-graders met five of the six targets on the state's physical fitness test, as did two-thirds of the ninth-graders.

The 2009 state test scores show that 55.7 percent of fifth-graders, 60.4 percent of seventh-graders, and 64.8 percent of ninth graders met five of six criteria for aerobic capacity, body composition, abdominal strength, trunk extensor strength, upper body strength and flexibility.

The 2009 test scores show that 29.1 percent of fifth-graders, 34.1 percent of seventh-graders, and 37.9 percent of ninth graders achieved in the Healthy Fitness Zone for all six areas of the test statewide.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell released the results of the annual test, called the Fitnessgram, today.

Jake Steinfeld, chairman of the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, joined O'Connell in releasing the results in a teleconference.

"We know strong bodies and strong minds work together," Steinfeld said.

He said schools that have participated in the governor's challenge have higher academic test scores. Students who exercise are less fidgety in class, can focus better and perform better on tests, Steinfeld said.

In Riverside County, 58.7 percent of fifth-graders, 61.9 percent of seventh-graders, and 64.2 percent of ninth graders met five of the six goals.

In San Bernardino County, 50.0 percent of fifth-graders, 52.3 percent of seventh-graders, and 60.2 percent of ninth graders met five of the six goals.

Reach Dayna Straehley at 951-368-9455 or dstraehley@PE.com