Physical Education Curriculum Analysis Tool (PECAT): Frequently Asked Questions

About the PECAT

The Physical Education Curriculum Analysis Tool (PECAT) is a self-assessment and planning guide developed by CDC. It helps school districts and schools conduct a clear, complete, and consistent analysis of physical education curricula.

The PECAT helps users enhance, develop, or select effective physical education curricula. Providing effective physical education can improve schools' ability to positively influence motor skills and physical activity behaviors among school-age youth. To do this, the PECAT:

• Assesses how well physical education curricula align with national standards for high-quality physical education programs.
• Analyzes outcomes, content, and assessments related to national standards for physical education for three grade levels: K–5, 6–8, and 9–12.
• Assists school districts or individual school programs to identify needed revisions in locally developed curricula.
• Helps school districts or individual schools develop a physical education curriculum.

The PECAT was developed along with physical education experts. These experts are from state education agencies, school districts, individual schools, colleges/universities, and national organizations in the United States.

How is this revised PECAT different than the previous version from 2006?

This new version is aligned with the 2014 SHAPE America physical education standards.

Has the PECAT been tested for validity and reliability?

The PECAT was field tested for readability and user-friendliness. We have no validity and reliability data for the simple reason that the PECAT is not a research tool. Instead, it is a community-organizing and educational tool.

What are the differences between the standards for physical education at different grade levels?

While the standards are applicable for all grade levels, there are differences in the ways they are evaluated.

For example, consider Standard 1: Demonstrates competency in a variety of motor skills and movement patterns. An assessment question for the K–5 PECAT might ask, “Does the curriculum include at least one follow-up learning experience, like the introduction of basic tossing skills and then tossing the ball back and forth with partners?”

Meanwhile, the 9–12 PECAT might assess the same standard but ask a question that includes more mental and physical complexity, such as, “Does the curriculum allow for follow-up learning experiences to use basic and advanced skills, like the initial practice of polka steps broken down into basic form? And then followed by demonstrating the correct pattern set to music?” Each question addresses the same standard, but each applies differently to the mental and motor skills of students at different grade levels.

Completing the PECAT

Online vs. print

The PECAT can be completed online or on paper. Both methods are equally effective. The online version might save time because it enables you to:

• Save your responses in the system.
• Leave and re-enter the system as often as you would like.
• Have your scores for outcomes, content, and assessments be automatically calculated.
• Archive previous versions of the PECAT—which help you keep records if you plan to complete the PECAT annually.
• Print and share scorecards and PECATs with team members, administrators, and others.

Who should complete the PECAT for my school or school district?

The PECAT is meant to be completed by a PECAT committee or team; it should not be completed by one person. This strategy encompasses multiple perspectives and areas of expertise. It also gives teachers, administrators, students, parents, and community members a means of contributing to physical education curricula. In addition, the committee approach allows for a wide variety of input sources to shape plans to improve school programs. A PECAT committee might include:

• District curriculum director.
• District physical education administrator.
• Physical education teachers from elementary, middle, and high schools.
• Members of the district school health council.
• Health education teachers.
• School health nurses.
• Public health and nonprofit professionals.
• Parents.
• Students.
• College physical education faculty who are teacher educators.

Does the entire PECAT need to be completed?

No. You can determine which items are useful and important to include in your (1) curriculum analysis and (2) development or selection process. You can also decide how you want to use PECAT items in your review process.

Not all sections may apply to the curriculum being reviewed. For example, if you are reviewing curriculum for students in grades K–5, then grade-specific standards analysis forms are used. If you are analyzing curriculum that is not being considered for purchase, the affordability analysis might not be applicable.

How long will it take to complete the PECAT?

Field testing has shown that the PECAT can be completed in as little as 6 hours. However, this will vary depending on various factors, including the amount of time needed for discussion or to collect information.

Several factors should be considered when planning the time needed to implement the PECAT, including:

• Each reviewer's understanding of physical education.
• Each reviewer's familiarity with the PECAT.
• Each reviewer's familiarity with the curriculum being reviewed.
• Each reviewer's familiarity with the National Standards for Physical Education and with state or local standards applicable to the curriculum under review.
• The breadth and scope of the curriculum under review. For example, a multi-grade curriculum will require more time than a single-grade curriculum.
• The number of curriculum materials involved. More time is needed for a curriculum that includes ancillary or support products, such as videos/DVDs, workbooks, teacher guides, family involvement materials.
• The orderliness of a curriculum. More time is required for a curriculum that is disorganized, fragmented, or incomplete than for one that is packaged and well organized.
• The extent to which curriculum materials are easily available for all reviewers. The process will take longer if members have to share materials than if they have their own complete package of materials.

Costs and time

The PECAT is available free of charge. You can complete the PECAT online, download copies, or order printed copies. In addition, you can request a copy by email at CDC-INFO or by phone at 1-800-CDC-INFO.

The main "cost" to implement the PECAT is time. Many schools have done it with no funding at all. These schools merely find some dedicated time for a curriculum development committee to meet and complete the self-assessment modules. Perhaps this meeting time may be part of a staff development day or teacher workday.

Do I need permission to use the PECAT?

No. The PECAT was developed with federal funds by a federal agency, so you do not need permission to use it.

Evaluation and results

Do I have to report my results from the PECAT to the CDC?

No. The CDC does not ask that school districts or schools report their scores. The PECAT is a self-assessment, and the data are not meant to be reported to agencies for data comparison. One school district might rate a commercially written curriculum differently than another. This varies based on your organizational goals and values.

Will my school or district be punished if we score poorly on the PECAT?

Absolutely not. The PECAT will help the school or school district determine its own strengths and weaknesses solely for the purposes of self-improvement.

If I'm using the online version of the PECAT, will my scores automatically be submitted to my school district or state?

No. Your online PECAT scores will not be automatically sent to anyone. The only way your school’s information can be viewed by someone outside of your review team is if you:

• Share your reference code with them.
• Add their email address to the list of persons who can access your online PECAT.