Adapted PE Assessment Instruments

Assessment is the first step in developing the Individual Education Program (IEP) for an individual with disabilities. It focuses on identifying activity needs of the individual, and is the interpretation of measurements obtained through testing. Assessment is also used to make decisions about placement and program planning. It forms the foundation for the instruction given to an individual with disabilities so he/she can safely and successfully participate in physical education class. The IDEA Amendments of 1997 stated that parents need to be involved in the assessment of their child and the development of their child's IEP. Consequently, parental input and observations are vital to the assessment process. Some common assessment tests used in physical education are listed below.

Another aspect of assessment is determining the physical education grade a student receives on his/her report card. IDEA 97 added the requirement that children with disabilities be included in all assessments. This means that if your regular curriculum calls for physical fitness, motor, or content knowledge assessments you MUST give that assessment to your students with disabilities or be prepared to provide alternative assessments. The new amendment also requires that students with disabiliites be given grades and progress reports on the same schedule as regular education students. This means that if parents of children without disabilities get report cards every nine weeks, parents of students with disabilities must also receive a report card every nine weeks.

Popular Scales Used for Assessing Kids with Special Needs Chart (PDF) or (HTML)
Compiled by Camila S. Hogberg, Adapted Physical Education Instructor, Barrington Public School Department, RI

Adapted Physical Education Assessment Scale-II (APEAS II) (downloadable software)

Want to know which of your students qualify for special education services in adapted physical education? This trusted assessment tool, used for more than 25 years, is now available in an easy-to-use, revised format. Produced by AAPAR in cooperation with the Los Angeles Unified School District, the APEAS II will help you to identify who qualifies for extra help. Available in an electronic score sheet or a paper-and pencil format, this tool provides demographic data for students ranging in age from 4 to 17 years old and measures the following areas of motor performance including perceptual motor function, object control, locomoter skills, physical fitness, and adaptive behaviors (behaviors that, in spite of adequate motor performance, limit a student’s ability to participate in general physical education). 

The Brockport Physical Fitness Test Manual by Joseph P. Winnick & Francis X. Short.

This manual addresses fitness concerns of individuals with disabilties. The book describes 27 tests the practitioner can choose from when assessing individuals with disabilities. The book also makes recommendations on which tests to use when assessing individuals with specific disabilities, such as mental retardation and visual impairment. This is an excellent resource for all professionals working with individuals with disabilities.

Human Kinetics
1-800-747-4457
www.humankinetics.com

Assessment for Adapted Physical Education (a-ape Computer Assisted Software)

a-ape is an MS Excel workbook containing separate worksheets for more than 20 of the most commonly used adapted physical education assessment tools. Dan Cariaga, an adapted physical educator, developed a-ape to make motor assessment accurate and efficient for the IEP process. When you use the a-ape software the user merely inputs the raw scores. Test data is automatically calculated creating a statistically interpreted written report. Results can be sent directly to a printer or copied and pasted to a word processing program. To obtain software:

Dan Cariaga
PC Consulting Service
PO Box 1332
Pismo Beach, CA 93448
Phone: 805-481-2517
Web site: http://a-ape.com/
E-mail: dan@a-ape.com

DEVPRO Motor Skills Assessment

DEVPRO is a developmental, criterion-referenced assessment appropriate for chronological ages birth to 11 years old. It addressed 22 different skill areas, defining over 950 highly task-analyzed skills. It is very appropriate to use for severely handicapped students, both physically and mentally disabled, up to age 22, who are developing basic gross motor and perceptual-motor skills.

Aquatics

The Special Olympics Sports Skills Program for Aquatics has two assessments for swimming skills. This manual also contains information on skill practice techniques and teaching suggestions.

Special Olympics
1325 G St., N.W.
Suite 500
Washington, DC 20005-4709
202-628-3630
http://www.specialolympics.org

Project ACTIVE

This is a norm and criterion referenced assessment instrument using task anaylyses of locomotor, nonlocomotor, and object control skills. Curriculum manuals are available fot several specific disabilities.

Joe Karp
20214 103rd Place, NE
Bothell, Wa 98011-2455

Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency

This is a norm-referenced standardized test composed of subtests to measure such areas as: speed, agility, balance, coordination, strength, and fine motor dexterity.

American Guidance Services
Publishers' Bldg.
Circle Pines, MN 55014

Special Olympics Sports Skills Program

The Special Olympics Sports Skills Program was developed and tested by coaches, teachers, and parents of students with disabilities. It is written and illustrated so that teachers and coaches at every level of experience can improve their skills. There is a complete series of sports skills books, ranging from alpine skiing to volleyball. Each book contains an assessment instrument for the novice and experienced athlete, along with teaching/coaching ideas on basic skills and appropriate drills. Contact your local Special Olympics office or the national office below.

Special Olympics
1325 G St., N.W.
Suite 500
Washington, DC 20005-4709
202-628-3630
http://www.specialolympics.org

Test of Gross Motor Development (TGMD) (updated in 1999)

The Test of Gross Motor Development (Ulrich, 1999) is a criterion and norm-referenced test designed for assessment of children from 3-10 years of age in 12 gross motor patterns. The locomotor patterns include such items as running, galloping, and jumping. The manipulative patterns include such items as bouncing, catching, and kicking.

Pro-Ed
8700 Shoal Creek Blvd.
Austin, Tx 78758
512-451-3246
http://www.proedinc.com

Lovaas' Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Model

The Lovaas Institute for Early Intervention, or LIFE, is a small researched-based psychology clinic in the Los Angeles area that specializes in developing and implementing behavior modification treatment programs for children with autism.

Director: Ivar Lovaas, Ph.D.
Asst. Director: Jacqueline Wynn, Ph.D
UCLA Dept. of Psychology
1282A Franz Hall
Box 951563
Los Angeles, CA 90095
Phone: (310) 840-5983
Fax: (310) 840-5987
Web site: www.lovaas.com

Motor Opportunities Via Education (MOVE)

MOVE International is dedicated to helping children and adults with severe disabilities sit, stand and walk. MOVE International was born out of a need to improve the quality of life for people with severe disabilities. This is achieved through instruction and adaptive equipment that enhances independent mobility.

Kern County Superintendent of Schools
1300 17th St.- City Centre
Bakersfield, Ca 93301-4533
Phone: 800-397-6683

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