Something to laugh about. Or cry about. Apparently they're serious.

"Instead of throwing balls, kids will be taking tests on how to throw balls. Teachers think this is stupid, writes Ryan. Parents think it’s stupid. Everyone thinks it’s stupid except for the Ohio Department of Education."



I laughed. But I can see crying as an appropriate reaction as well. Be sure to click the link to a more comprehensive Fordham Institute analysis.


Evaluation overkill hits PE teachers
MARCH 29, 2013 BY JOANNE 2 COMMENTS
Evaluating teachers’ impact on student achievement is “a necessary reform,” writes Terry Ryan on Ohio Gadfly. But it can go too far. Ohio will evaluate phys ed teachers on their students’ skipping, throwing, dancing and batting skills and knowledge. Among the goals:
*Consistently demonstrating correct skipping technique with a smooth and effortless rhythm;
*Able to throw consistently a ball underhand with good accuracy and technique to a target (or person) with varying distances.
The suggested written test for K-2 students (five to eight year olds) includes:
To throw a ball overhand with your right hand, you should step forward with your left foot.
A. True B. False
For a good overhand throw, you should bend the elbow in the shape of an “L” behind the head before throwing.
A. True B. False
Instead of throwing balls, kids will be taking tests on how to throw balls. Teachers think this is stupid, writes Ryan. Parents think it’s stupid. Everyone thinks it’s stupid except for the Ohio Department of Education.
shareshareshareshare

http://www.joannejacobs.com/2013/03/evaluation-overkill-hits-pe-teachers/