Which of the following strategies would most help a high school physical education teacher evaluate the effectiveness of their physical education program in motivating students to participate in lifelong physical activity?

• A. Having students complete a questionnaire about their confidence to be physically active
• B. Testing only fitness skills
• C. Installing new equipment
• D. Scheduling more tests

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is how to gauge students’ motivation to stay active beyond the classroom. The best way is to assess their confidence in being physically active — their self-efficacy. When students believe they can successfully participate in physical activity, they’re more likely to keep it up outside class, set personal goals, push through challenges, and view activity as enjoyable and doable over the long term. A questionnaire that asks about their belief in their own ability to be active captures this motivational mindset and provides data to tailor support, help students set achievable goals, and remove barriers.

Testing only fitness skills looks at current ability, not whether students feel capable or want to stay active. Installing new equipment might boost engagement temporarily but doesn’t measure motivation or predict lifelong participation. Scheduling more tests can add pressure and isn’t focused on fostering intrinsic motivation or long-term habits.