| Author |
Message |
Marybell Avery (Mavery)
New member
Username: Mavery
Post Number: 1
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 01, 2005 - 7:16 am: |       |
A bill calling for daily physical education in grades K-8 has been introduced in Nebraska. It goes before the Education Committee on March 1 for a hearing. Physical education advocates in Nebraska want to make the best of this opportunity. We know that other states have already or will soon have similar legislation considered. Any advice from those of you who have been through this? |
Kymm Ballard (Ncpe4kids)
New member
Username: Ncpe4kids
Post Number: 1
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 01, 2005 - 8:14 am: | |
Marybell,
Watch for the pitfalls on interchanging the words "physical education" with "physical activity". When the heat gets turned up on schools to mandate time in physical education, many legislators turn to what they think is a good fix to change the wording to physical activity.
I can write more on this issue –(pros and cons) but looking at your question, I would advise that you educate your Education Committee on the difference between the two and on the advantage and disadvantage of both. Give a strong presentation that both education and activity are important. Do not let them pass a law that mandates the recommended time for physical education to stand for a made up time of PA in the school day. There are no recommendations for PA specifically for the school day - only that 150 minutes and 225 minutes of PE contribute to that recommended 60 minutes of recommended time for PA in the day.
I would even mention that PA is a behavior and PE is a curriculum of skills and knowledge. It is hard to hold schools accountable for behaviors (even character ed teaches skills and knowledge of behaviors – but can not hold schools accountable for that behavior due to the tremendous amount of influences that are a part of that child’s life. We can however hold schools accountable for skills and knowledge.
Here are some key elements that I have gathered from Charlene and folks at CDC.
From Charlene at NASPE
*first put out there the national recommendation of at least 60 minutes of PA for children and adolescents
*then make the case that physical education is the necessary foundation for a lifetime of physical activity (knowledge, skills, confidence)
*then put out the national recommendations for PE (150 min/225 min) -- that this amount of Physical Education is needed to develop the knowledge/skills/confidence (meet national/state standards in this regard) and that this contributes to the 60+ minutes/day of PA needed by all youth.
*then you can go on to identify other needed opportunities to get the 60+ min (recess for ES, after school PA clubs/intramurals, school sports, community sports/clubs/classes, PA at home/family, etc.) - but emphasizing the kids are only likely to take part in these activities if they feel competent and enjoy PA by virtue of having the necessary knowledge/skills/confidence.
From Sarah at CDC -
CDC Guidelines for Schools & Communities to Promote Lifelong Physical Activity Among Young People
- MAJOR STRATEGY: "During the school day, opportunities for physical activity exist within physical education classes, during recess, and immediately before and after school." "School personnel should encourage students to be physically active during these times. The use of time during the school day for unstructured physical activity should complement rather than substitute for the physical activity and instruction children receive in physical education classes."
I hope this helps... I have more if you need it.... |
Marybell Avery (Mavery)
Junior Member
Username: Mavery
Post Number: 2
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, February 03, 2005 - 7:56 am: | |
Thanks for the excellent advice, Kymm. Our Advocacy group meets tomorrow and I will share this with them. I'll take any additional information you can share. |
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