The purpose of this study was to describe the various assessment techniques used by supervisors of physical education student teachers. A survey instrument was sent to physical education supervisors at colleges and universities listed in the 38th Annual Guide to Accredited Education Programs/Units. A total of 177 Surveys were sent out; 109 were returned for an overall response rate of 61.5%.

The study generated demographic information about supervisors of physical education student teachers as well as information about the assessment practices of the supervisors. The frequency with which certain assessment techniques (ie. intuitive assessment, eyeballing, rating scales, checklists, systematic observation, anecdotal notes, reflection and conferencing) and assessment modes (live observation, videotape and audiotape) were used was also collected. Factors that supervisors assess with the particular assessment techniques (ie. time, management, lesson content) were also analyzed.

The data from this study indicate that all assessment techniques and modes are used to some degree by supervisors of physical education student teachers. However, some techniques are used more frequently than others and some only when certain modes are used. The assessment technique most frequently used by supervisors was conferencing (97%) and least frequently was eyeballing (42%). Overall, live observation was utilized most often (97%) and audiotape least often (5%).

The data also indicate that supervisors use many different techniques of assessment to gather information about such factors as discipline, organization, Management and time. It was concluded that some factors were assessed through a variety of techniques, perhaps indicating that supervisors combine the information from different assessment techniques in order to more accurately assess their student teachers.