SACRAMENTO—Students in California might be getting a three year break on the physical fitness test due to bullying and discrimination.
The move comes after annual test results show a decline in the percentage of healthy kids. According to a review by the Associated Press, there has been a steady decline in the amount of students scoring healthy since 2014.
The physical fitness test uses various exercises to measure the aerobic capacity, endurance, and strength of students. The test includes a 1-mile run, a push-up test, a sit and reach test, and a sit-ups test amongst other things. Under current law, 5th, 7th, and 9th graders must complete the test, and school districts must forward the results to the state’s Department of Education.
The body composition component of the test utilizes the Body Mass Index (BMI) to determine an acceptable value range. According to H.D. Palmer, Governor Newsom’s spokesperson from the Department of Finance, the quantification raises concerns over the bullying and body shaming of transgender and special education students. The California Department of Education received complaints on the BMI screening for forcing non-binary students to select “male” or “female.”
Historically, the BMI has been considered a flawed tool because it does not measure overall fat or lean tissue.
If the test is suspended, Governor Newsom is asking school districts to consult with fitness gender identity, and disability experts for recommendations on how to administer a more balanced examination in the future. The Governor requires the chief of state school to submit a report to lawmakers, the California Board of Education, and the Newsom administration by November 2022.
Physical education will remain a requirement for graduation.
