What statement best describes a performance-based assessment in physical education?

• A. A standard fitness test
• B. A written quiz on knowledge
• C. A teacher observation of behavior
• D. A performance-based assessment requires demonstration of motor skills

Answer: (D)

Performance-based assessment in physical education focuses on students actually showing how well they can perform a motor skill. It requires a demonstration of movement, judged against specific criteria such as technique, control, accuracy, consistency, and safety. For example, assessing a basketball shot, a gymnastics roll, or a tennis serve by watching the execution and scoring it with a rubric. This contrasts with standard fitness tests, which measure physical capacity like endurance or strength, or with a written quiz that checks knowledge. Even simply observing behavior can be part of an assessment, but the defining feature of performance-based assessment is the real demonstration of motor skills.