Schools
Physical Education/Physical Activity
- Failing Fitness: Physical Activity and Physical Education in Schools
January 2007
Download [156k pdf file]
- Physical Education Matters
January 2007
Download [176k pdf file]
- Dropping the Ball: Schools Fail to Meet Physical Education Mandates
This report by the California Center for Public Health Advocacy based on records the recently acquired through a Public Records Act request, concludes that more than half the state's schools assessed in the last two years are failing to meet even minimum P.E. standards of providing the mandated 200 minutes of P.E. every 10 days to elementary children. In addition to missing out on an important physical activity opportunity, the lack of P.E. cheats California's elementary students of the proven advantages of P.E. - improved academic and behavioral performance, and skill-building that leads to life-long healthy habits. The webpage includes the Press Release, reports, and news coverage of this release.
www.publichealthadvocacy.org/policy_briefs/index.html
- Position Papers on Physical Education
The National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) published two new position papers in May 2006 that will help advocate for quality physical education programs and recess. They are: Opposing Substitution and Waiver/Exemptions for Required Physical Education and Recess for Elementary School Students. These and other position papers can be found at:
www.aahperd.org/naspe/template.cfm?template=
position-papers.html
- Rescuing Recess
The National Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and Cartoon Network announced the launch of Rescuing Recess, a campaign that champions the importance of recess for kids and works to help keep and revitalize it in schools across the country. There are links on the Rescuing Recess website for kids, parents, and teachers. While the goals are admirable, be somewhat wary of the blatant Cartoon Network advertising.
www.rescuingrecess.com/
www.pta.org/ne_press_release_detail_1142028998890.html
- Walking School Bus
Walking School Bus, when a group of children, with an adult chaperone, walk to school instead of being driven, is a concept that is growing throughout the country and world. This website covers some of the basics about establishing your own walking school bus, and has many resources on other safe routes to schools issues.
www.walkingschoolbus.org/
- Kids Walk to School
To support the national goal of better health through physical activity, CDC's Nutrition and Physical Activity Program has developed KidsWalk-to-School. This is a community-based program that aims to increase opportunities for daily physical activity by encouraging children to walk to and from school in groups accompanied by adults.
www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/kidswalk/index.htm
- Physical Activity Recommendations for School-age Youth
Evidence-based physical activity recommendations for school-age youth were published in the June 2005 issue of The Journal of Pediatrics. The recommendations are the result of an expert panel's review of available evidence on the influence of physical activity on several health and behavioral outcomes. The panel concluded that school-age youth should participate in 60 minutes or more of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day through a variety of enjoyable and developmentally appropriate activities.
Download: Role of School Health Professionals in Preventing Childhood Overweight [263k pdf file]
Download: Dietz Commentary [64k pdf file]
- Recommendations for Comprehensive pre K-12 Health Education and Physical Education
The Society of State Directors of Health, Physical Education and Recreation (SSDHPER) has available on its website a Resolution for Comprehensive School Health Education that Addresses the Health and Safety of All Children and a Resolution for Quality Physical Education and Physical Activity. These documents provide a rationale for comprehensive, pre K-12 health education and physical education, respectively, and recommend that each are part of a balanced curriculum.
www.thesociety.org
- Physical Education Websites
The following websites include a vast amount of information for the physical education professional including lesson plans, etc. much of which is useful to a broader audience. Of special note are the links to the calendars that include workshops, trainings, and conferences related to a wide variety of physical education and health topics.
www.pecentral.org/
www.pelinks4u.org/
- SPARK (Sport, Play & Active Recreation for Kids) Programs
SPARK provides on-site teacher training, summer institutes, and materials to schools, after-school programs and early childhood centers to incorporate physical activity into the curriculum.
www.sparkpe.org
- 2005 Physical Fitness Results
Results of a 2005 statewide survey of student physical fitness have been released. While there was a 3 to 4 percent increase in overall performance, as much as 25% of students in some grades did not meet the standards. The following links are to the Overview Packet of the physical fitness test:
www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/pf/overview.asp
and to the 2005 physical fitness results for schools, school districts, counties and the state are available on the CDE website:
www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/pf/index.asp
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