Assessment Benefits and Barriers

ne of the greatest challenges that physical educators face in their work is the assessment of student learning. To learn more about the “real” issues pertain-ing to student assessment in physical education, the authors asked a group of teachers to identify the barriers to, and benefi ts of, using assessments. The purpose of this article is to discuss these teachers’ perceptions regarding assessment and to examine why physical educators are reluctant to use assessments even though they know that assessing their students is benefi cial.As you read this article, please take a moment to consider how each question or statement might relate to your personal beliefs regarding assessment. The authors ask that you keep an open mind as you read the views of our colleagues, experts in the fi eld of assessment, and think about the notion of commitment as it relates to assessment and teaching.