Presidential Fitness Test Task Force
As part of Executive Order 55, the Department of Education was to establish the Presidential Fitness Task Force to inform the development of implementation plans, professional development, and instructional resources aligned to the 2022 Physical Education Standards of Learning and Va. Code § 22.1-207.
The Task Force shall include geographically diverse stakeholders from across the Commonwealth to include:
- Teachers
- Division leaders
- School administration
- Institutes of Higher Education
- The Virginia Department of Health
- Adapted Physical Educators
- Special Education Representatives
- Parents
Task Force Members
|
Name |
Organization |
|---|---|
|
Dr. Zenia Burnett |
Director of Special Education Instructional Services at the Virginia Department of Education |
|
Caitlin Ellis |
Director Early Childhood/StreamIN3/UVA |
|
Dr. Abby Fines |
Assistant Professor in Kinesiology, University of Virginia |
|
Kathleen Foster |
High School Health & Physical Education Teacher, Virginia Beach City Public Schools; Certified Athletic Trainer |
|
Shaina English |
Parent |
|
Samantha Gregory |
Coordinator of Specially Designed Behavior Intervention at the Virginia Department of Education |
|
Justin Griggs |
Assistant Superintendent of Instruction for Louisa County Public Schools |
|
Dr. Justin Haegele |
Colgate Darden Endowed Professor and the Director of the Center for Movement, Health, & Disability in the Department of Human Movement Studies & Special Education at Old Dominion University |
|
Jamie Hutchins |
Parent |
|
Christina Luntzer |
2018 National Physical Education Teacher of the Year |
|
Greg Margheim |
Coordinator for PE, Athletics, and Driver Education, Stafford Public Schools |
|
Maria McKweon |
Executive Director, Virginia Association for Health, Physical, Recreation, and Dance (VAHPERD) |
|
Justin Mirt |
Virginia Army National Guard |
|
Damian Montano |
Virginia Army National Guard |
|
Brittany Moore |
Curriculum Specialist for Health and Physical Education, Driver Education, Family Life, and Athletics for Hanover County Public Schools |
|
Matthew Newton |
Extensive Support Needs Specialist at the Virginia Department of Education |
|
Dr. Susan Nye |
Coordinator of the Physical and Health Education Teacher Education (PHETE) program at James Madison University |
|
Dr. Jacob Resch |
Associate Professor, Department of Kinesiology at the University of Virginia. |
|
Cody Sanders |
Professor of Physical Education at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise |
|
Ronald Trainum |
2015 Virginia Physical Education Teacher of the Year and the 2016 National Physical Education Teacher of the Year; Middle School Health & Physical Education Teacher, William-James City County Schools |
|
Joseph Wharff |
Director of the Office of Behavioral Health and Student Safety at the Virginia Department of Education |
Mission and Vision of the Task Force
Mission Statement: The Presidential Fitness Test Task Force will inform the development of a comprehensive implementation framework that prepares Virginia's public school divisions to successfully integrate the Presidential Fitness Test into physical education programs, supporting whole-child wellness and academic excellence for all students.
Vision Statement: Every Virginia student will have the opportunity to build a foundation for lifelong physical health and wellness through a consistently implemented, standards-aligned fitness assessment program that fosters resilience, confidence, and personal growth.
Deliverables
The Task Force will:
- Review the current wellness-related, criterion-referenced fitness assessments to ensure continued alignment with the 2022 Virginia Physical Education Standards of Learning and the forthcoming program and physical fitness assessment frameworks to be developed by the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition.
- Review existing fitness assessment practices across the Commonwealth.
- Inform the development of professional learning and instructional resources aligned to the 2022 Virginia Physical Education Standards of Learning.
- Inform the development of fitness assessment reporting mechanisms for local school divisions.
Meeting Schedule
The Task Force will convene on the following dates throughout 2026:
- January 7, 8, & 15
- January 22
- February 12
- March 12
- April 9