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  December 2013, Volume 15 Number 10

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EDITORIAL
2013: What Has Happened In Physical Education?

written by Steve Jefferies, pelinks4u publisher

As we near the end of 2013, I decided it would be interesting to highlight some of the year’s most interesting and impactful professional events. Here's my top 10 list:

  1. 2012 Shape of the Nation Report: Status of Physical Education in the USA
    Okay, it was actually published at the tail end of 2012 but since it only happens every couple of years this interesting survey gives a status update of physical education in American schools. Checkout what's happening in your state and around the country.
  2. School Health Policies and Practices Study 2012
    Despite fears that physical education programs are in decline, this study from the CDC suggested otherwise. A 10% increase was reported in the percentage of school districts requiring elementary school physical education over the past 12 years. At the middle school level there was almost a doubling of the percentage of states providing lesson plans and tools for evaluating students' progress. And nationwide there was a 20% increase in districts adopting policies requiring schools to follow national, state, or district PE standards.
  3. Institute of Medicine Report: Educating the Student Body: Taking Physical Activity and Physical Education to School
    It's always nice to have others outside the profession advocating for what you do. What better than to have the highly respected Institute of Medicine, not only recommend 60 minutes of daily physical activity for schoolchildren, but also to suggest to the Department of Education (DOE) that physical education should be designated as a core school subject. Here's a summary of the report's recommendations.
  4. Let's Move, Active Schools
    Who better to advocate for physical education than the wife of the American President? In the creation of this new school-focused initiative, Michelle Obama succeeded in bringing together businesses and school focused organizations including AAHPERD. With Nike committed to a $50 million five-year supporting donation, physical educators have a unique but time-limited opportunity to transform the physical activity climate of their schools and make physical education the foundation.
  5. American Academy of Pediatrics Endorses Crucial Role of Recess
    This esteemed medical authority highlighted the cognitive, emotional, physical, and social benefits of recess, noting that it afforded a time for children to rest, play, imagine, think, move, and socialize. The Academy noted that research has found that after recess children are more attentive and better able to perform cognitively.
  6. Obesity Changes: Mixed Messages
    The year in obesity saw some rare positive news with a report of declining obesity trends among preschool children. Conversely, we learned that more than a third of students in Western New York State are overweight or obese. It was further reported that obesity continues to be problematical among military personnel and more and more are failing to meet required fitness tests. Worryingly, another study suggested that obesity was likely to shorten life by nearly 10 years for Americans.
  7. New National Physical Education Standards Released
    In 1986, NASPE defined what a "physically educated individual" looked like. Shortly thereafter, the profession saw the creation of national standards – a huge boost that put us on par with other academic content areas. This year witnessed the publication of new standards that most significantly have adopted the phrase "physical literacy" as a key component.
  8. PEP Grants Continue to be Awarded
    For the 13th successive year the US Department of Education supported the development of quality physical education through its PEP Grant Program. This year there were 60 recipients receiving a total of nearly $32 million.
  9. AAHPERD Unified
    After years of painstaking deliberation and debate, the alliance of five national professional associations that included NASPE agreed to unify to form one national association. With the majority of Alliance members working in physical education, the new association has adopted the vision statement of "Healthy People – Physically Educated and Physically Active!"
  10. SHAPE America Created
    It might take a little getting used to, but the new name adopted in November for AAHPERD is the Society of Health and Physical Educators – SHAPE America. The thinking behind the word "shape" in addition to it being an easy to remember acronym, is that our new professional Association will focus on influencing and communicating the value of what we as members do.

Well that's my 2013 year-in-reflection list. Perhaps there were other professional events you'd choose to include? Well, you have the chance! At pelinks4u we love to hear your views and share your news. If something is happening in your state or school district that you think might interest your teaching colleagues let us know. We'd especially like to include stories illustrating exemplary physical education programs and teachers. Published stories on schools are great public relations and advocacy events. Please contact us with your ideas.

Very best wishes for the holidays from all of us who work to provide you pelinks4u each month entirely free! Thanks to for the support from the companies and organizations whose logos you see in our publication. Please show your support for them when you have the opportunity. Finally, during your holiday vacation please travel safely, stay healthy, and especially set aside time to enjoy your family and friends.

Featured pelinks4u Articles
Advocating for our Profession: Is Anyone Listening?
In this first of a three-part series, WAHPERD Past President Paul Clinton, describes his experiences advocating for physical education. He highlights some key principles for success. Paul will also be presenting in St. Louis if you are planning to attend the AAHPERD convention.
Integrating Common Core Standards into Physical Education
More than a decade ago No Child Left Behind (NCLB) threatened to marginalize the physical education profession. Today, the adoption by most states of Common Core Standards (CCS) could do the same. Ryan Sheehy provides tips for ways in which physical educators can integrate CCS into their programs.
What Should We Be Doing in Physical Education?
After 13 years of elementary physical education teaching, George Goss shares a personal perspective of how he believes physical educators can most effectively impact the lives of children. He also highlights some of the frustrating challenges today's physical educators face.
The Incognito Incident: A Character Lesson for Coaches
The widely reported conflict between Miami Dolphins football players Richie Incognito and Jonathan Martin raises questions about the responsibility of coaches to create and manage a positive team environment. Pete Van Mullem reflects upon the challenges coaches at all levels face when selecting athletes for their teams.
Psychological Skills Training: Mental Rehearsal – Phase 1
Continuing her Psychological Skills Training series of articles in pelinks4u, Christine Lottes presents the first of a two-part series on "mental rehearsal." Christine describes a step-by-step approach including a coaches’ script and a handout that athletes can use when practicing their skills at home.
Gerry Cernicky How to Stay Healthy this Holiday Season
During the holidays the temptation to overeat increases. The best way to prepare ourselves is to create an exercise and eating plan. Gerry Cernicky believes that physical educators are ideally located to share health promoting tips to teaching colleagues, students, and families. Gerry gives practical suggestions and links to online resources.
NEWS
  • PHYSICAL EDUCATION, PLAY, & SPORTS
  • Bonnie Mohnsen's latest podcast of Using Technology in Physical Education.
  • Colleen Martin (aged 48), physical education teacher and field hockey coach at Avon Middle School, CT remembered by teaching colleagues.
  • AAHPERD's new name approved by members: Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE America).
  • Nike gift cards to benefit physical education.
  • Physical education requirements for students with disabilities.
  • Institute of Medicine report recommends making physical education part of the core curriculum.
  • PE teacher, James O'Donnell (GA) breaks world records to help keep kids active.
  • Farmington PE teacher Joe McCarthy helps design the NBA team’s Get Fit program encouraging after school physical activity.
  • Train Like an Astronaut: PE teachers help to write curriculum.
  • Brooklyn HS - No gym, no track, no problem.
  • Indian Prairie District 204, (IL) school board supports resolution calling for schools to be allowed to give high school athletes exemptions from physical education class.
  • Several Arizona schools adopt "whole school wellness programs."
  • "Future of Physical Education" free webinar.
  • Has Bullying Been Normalized in Sports?
  • Incognito misconduct issue prompts reporter to "diss" academic quality of PE majors.
  • "Differentiating Activities to Engage all Students." Free webinar from SPARK.
  • "Changing Education with Active Learning"
  • Don't turn playground time into PE classes.
  • PE teacher gets kids active with physical labor (Canada).
  • Students do well on D.C. health, physical education exam.
  • PE teachers contributing to character education.
  • Celebrate Jump Rope For Heart's 35th Anniversary.
  • Gulf Coast Middle School students learn archery, along with academic and life lessons.
  • Nearly a fifth of Scottish students report their PE lessons are boring.
  • "Pinterest" physical education page.
  • Despite conservative resistance, a majority of Saudis favor women's right to play sports.
  • Forty percent of Americans support ban on youth tackle football, says survey.
  • PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, NUTRITION, & OBESITY
  • US Life Expectancy Ranks 26th In The World, OECD Report Shows.
  • Cookie Monster crumbles: Opposition grows to marketing targeting children.
  • Seattle pediatrician promotes walking to school to keep children at a healthy weight.
  • The true costs of so-called "cheap food."
  • Marching band to count as high school PE?
  • PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, NUTRITION, & OBESITY
  • Homeschool parent uses X factor fitness plus for "organized physical education class."
  • PE class requires written test.
  • Exercise: It's what we evolved to do.
  • Students Exercise Next to Their Desks Using GoNoodle to Prepare Their Bodies and Minds for Learning.
  • Rising pulse rates suggest kids are less fit (UK).
  • Students who receive free school meals pick healthier options (UK).
  • Should we be treating the symptoms or the causes of obesity?
  • Moscow Subway Ticket Machine Accepts 30 Squats As Payment (Video).
  • Social Media Not Only Makes Us Fatter, It's Making Our Kids Slower!
  • CDC obesity study: Adults using calorie information posted in fast food and chain restaurants.
  • In Africa, obesity is on the rise and rising fast. Learn why.
  • Consuming sugary drinks associated with a higher risk for the more common type of endometrial cancer, study shows.
  • 5 biological factors contributing to obesity.
  • Fat but fit? Study reveals that fitness, not weight, predicts risk of early death.
  • Nothing "Fab" about being in New Jersey's "Fat Five" school districts.
  • Obesity and poverty don’t always go together.
  • Are sugar and sloth the causes of obesity -- or just convenient whipping boys?
  • Severe obesity in teenage years increases risk of serious health problems as adults.
  • Google’s picks for top 20 free health, fitness apps.
  • A Prescription From the 'Father of Aerobics' -- Exercise Is Medicine .
  • Obesity, not old people, is making healthcare expensive.
  • Today's kids less fit than parents.
  • A 10-year-old should not have to obsess over weight.
  • GRANTS
  • PE4life/Speed Stacks Sport Pack Grant Program. Speed Stacks wants to help instructors motivated to offer a full-fledged Sport Stacking program but who lack funding. The Sport Pack Grant Program can equip you with all you need to provide your students with a unique and fun Sport Stacking experience. To apply, go to www.speedstacks.com and download the grant application.
  • Make Your Move! Fuel up to Play60 program for children to promote physical activity (and win prizes).
  • Find Your Balance Challenge is open to elementary school classrooms in grades K-5: Deadline, January 31
  • NASPE Grants Database
  • SPARK Grant Finder Tool
  • Empowering Students to Adopt Healthy Lifestyles: Apply Jan 1-31, 2014
       
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