By Jessica Walsh

Staff Writer

Westford Academy students were surprised this year when they came into their Physical Education class and discovered that there would be assessments at the end of each activity.  The majority of WA students are not accustomed to taking tests in P.E., so most were hesitant to accept the new format.

“Nobody was expecting it at all, no one thought it was relevant,” said senior Anusha Prasad.

These new tests left students wondering why there were tests in P.E. this year. The major argument against the tests is the fact that P.E. is not a weighed class, so it does not factor into one’s GPA. Thus, they argue that there shouldn’t be tests.

The new format for physical education was finalized last year, but it was three or four years in the making according to physical education teacher Sean O’Leary, who has been teaching at WA for six years. The wellness department decided that a larger, cognitive piece was necessary to provide equality throughout the building; students take assessments in all other classes. The tests were also implemented as a tool for comparing student knowledge from when the entered the P.E. program to when they left it.

O’Leary also hopes that P.E. does become a weighted class because it is state requirement for graduation. O’Leary also acknowledged that the new assessments are a legitimate way for students to improve their grades.

The P.E. department has received a mixed reception from students on the new assessments.

“Students are used to something going one way for nine years and when it changes, it can be difficult,” said O’Leary.

Students in first semester P.E. warmed up to the tests, however students in second semester are still questioning the new assessments, according to O’Leary. However, some students still believe the tests are a nuisance.

“They are unnecessary because what we are tested on isn’t helpful for anyone,” said Prasad.

The tests focus on five underlying ideas: fitness, communication, teamwork, citizenship, and movement. O’Leary says that all of these ideas relate back to wellness, the official title of the Physical Education department. O’Leary says that citizenship is relevant because citizenship is the same as sportsmanship in team sports.

The P.E. department has no intention of increasing the difficulty of the tests or making it a more substantial part of the curriculum. The major intention of the tests is to implement a strong cognitive piece into the P.E. department.

The P.E. department is pleased with the results of the new assessments, and they will be continued next year.

“The assessments are a positive change and are here to stay,” said O’Leary.