§ 70-24-100c. Physical fitness assessment software program - Pilot schools.

A.  The State Department of Education and the State Department of Health shall facilitate the development of a physical fitness assessment software program customized for public schools in this state that has the capability to track the five components of student health-related physical fitness, including:

1.  Aerobic capacity;

2.  Muscular strength;

3.  Muscular endurance;

4.  Flexibility; and

5.  A weight status assessment that includes measurement of height and weight, calculation of body mass index (BMI) for age, and plotting of these measures on standard growth charts.

The software program shall have the capability of creating a confidential individual student report for parents that includes an explanation of the data.  In addition, the software program shall be developed and made accessible to school districts at no cost.

B.  The State Department of Health in consultation with the State Department of Education and the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports shall select at least fifteen elementary schools statewide to pilot the software program during the 2008-2009 school year.  Pilot schools shall assess all participating students in grades three, four and five.  No school selected to participate in the pilot program shall be required to utilize the software program.  No student shall be required to participate in the assessment if a parent or guardian of the student objects in writing.  The purpose of the pilot shall be to:

1.  Evaluate methods for administering the physical fitness assessment to students;

2.  Evaluate methods for reporting to parents;

3.  Evaluate the software program to ensure that it provides for the collection of data by school district in an efficient and cost-effective manner; and

4.  Evaluate the usefulness of the health-related fitness testing manual.

Added by Laws 2008, c. 342, § 1, eff. July 1, 2008.