Physical Education Policy Analysis

There is nothing more important than health, especially in this day and age. It’s concerning that only 29 percent of high school students surveyed by the CDC (2011) had participated in at least 60 minutes of physical activity on all seven days before the survey. The CDC also noted that only 31 percent of these high school students attended physical education class daily. Only 8 percent of elementary schools, 6.4 percent of middle schools, and 5.8 percent of high schools provide daily physical education to all of its students (SHPPS, 2000). The government is missing the fact that physical education can actually improve test scores, not the opposite.

facilities (Reichert et al., 2007). This particular argument may stem from the lack of safe, but free, areas to exercise; many low-income neighborhoods do not have safe sidewalks, parks, or even free recreation centers to participate even if the desire was there. A prevalent argument that both African American and Hispanic women use as to their inability to obtain a healthy exercise routine is that the additional money needed to provide for childcare while exercising does not suffice a cost to benefit (Reichert et al., 2007). A study done in regards to the Hispanic population found that in the case of parents, money would be spent on a child’s participation in sports or exercise before an adult (Steenhuis, Nooy, Moes, & Schuit, 2009). That

Obesity in school-age children is a problem in North Carolina. “North Carolina is the 23rd most obese state in the United States for children www.eatsmartmovemorenc.com/Data/Texts/Quick%20Facts.pdf – 31.4% of youth in North Carolina are overweight or obese” https://www.healthiergeneration.org/...childhood_obesity/.../north_caroli... (Child Obesity Rate). There is a mandated physical education requirement for school-age children attending public schools in North Carolina. The North Carolina State Board of Education Policy Manual states “that every kindergarten through eighth grade student should be engaged in at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity daily” (Recess and Physical Activity). In spite of being clearly stated in policy and described in detail, many of the school-age children in North Carolina are still suffering from poor health. Based on the above information and recent research, the North Carolina State Board of Education needs to revise their policy on physical education. The new policy should state that school-age children in North Carolina “should participate every day in 60 minutes or more of moderate to vigorous physical activity that is enjoyable and developmentally appropriate”. By increasing school-age children’s physical activity to 60 minutes a day, the obesity rate of school-age children in North Carolina will reduce.

First of all, students do not have much knowledge about the different fitness components; they do not understand the relation between the fitness components and health. If students acquire the background knowledge about fitness, it could improve the class engagement and motivation, and increase the independent drive to exercise. Second barrier to students’ achievement is the lack of motivation to be active, and even more difficult, to specific fitness activities, such as sit-ups and push-ups. In today’s society, students spend more time sitting in front a screen and less time moving. Parent and school today have more responsibility making sure the children get enough physical activity. According to the New York Times (2016), “early school physical education (PE) programs can make a significant difference, and the earlier these routines are learned the more likely they will be carried forth into a healthy adulthood”. Another barrier that prevents students’ success is the loss of instructional time due to discipline problems. The classes are too big, with many diverse students with individual problems, which are difficult to address when these issues are from very different backgrounds. Finally, there is not enough support from home affecting not only physical education, but

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) note that when children participate in the recommended level of physical activity of at least 60 minutes per day multiple health benefits ensue. Nevertheless, since the creation of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) increasing focus has been dedicated to bridging the achievement gap among students and less emphasis has been placed on non-academic curriculum such as physical education. Research has shown that approximately 3.8% of elementary schools provide formal physical education with this percentage steadily declining as children continue onto middle and high school. This decrease in physical activity is in line with reports from the CDC which estimate that one third of children in the United States are overweight and, within those cases, the CDC has documented that children who are overweight have higher absentee rates, have poorer health and experience early signs of mental illness all of which have an impact on academic performance.

The fight against obesity has been increasingly tough as of lately. In most aspects, it might even seem like the United States is losing the battle. Greatly impacting the outcome of the battle are factors like chain restaurants, corner stores, supermarkets, farmers markets, as well as mobile vendors. Recognizing how a community's food environment influences its public health is vital in assuring healthy growth. Cities and counties around the country have sought to encourage and monitor the quality and quantity and to promote healthier options of what people eat in their communities, by implementing various regulations and incentives. There is a range of recommended policy options for increasing access to healthy foods and decreasing the predominance

First, physical activity in school would help students to improve their rate of academic learning. Children who are physically active would perform, retain, absorb and pay attention better at school and home, than students who are out of shape. ‘A study, conducted by Bryan Mc Cullick, a kinesiology professor at the University of Georgia, examined all 50 of the United States and found six states where elementary schools followed recommended physical education at the middle school level, and no states had strong enough regulations at the high school level.” This

The first step to combating childhood obesity is that legislation must pass to provide funding for creating opportunities for physical activity. Evidence suggests that school-based physical education increases students’ level of physical activity and improves physical fitness (Zaza et al, 2005). The National Association and Physical Education (NASPE) and the American Heart Association (AHA) recommend that all elementary school students should participate in at least 150 minutes per week of physical education and all middle and high school students should participate in at least 225 minutes of physical education per week for the entire school year (NASPE & AHA, 2006). Currently many schools with weak budgets will cut from their physical education budget which either greatly diminishes the effectiveness of the programs or eliminates them completely. Thus, there should be federal money

” The authors of the article also state that states have “new funding (approximately $40 million annually) [that] is available to hire elementary school credentialed physical education teachers and potentially affect over 1000 elementary schools (see California Governor's Budget, 2007-08) (“Elementary”).” Of course, that is not sufficient “funding, however, to support PE credentialed teachers' direct services to all children on a regular basis (e.g., 3 or more times per week, 150 minutes per week) (“Elementary”).” Because of that, “empowering classroom teachers to deliver regular physical education remains an important part of the equation in improving current health trends related to low physical activity rates (“Elementary”).” In this research it seems that “this PDP model seems particularly relevant given the need to determine the most practical and effective approaches to improve elementary school physical education in states that rely heavily on classroom teachers to deliver the PE program (“Elementary””).” Parents value our teachers, and the teachers can teach them how to value their kids. The funding that put aside to hire credited PE faculty might be used to fund equipment and classes to teach teachers the fundamental requirements to provide adequate physical education. Teaching the teachers how to maximize and deliver the activities can help provide better physical

To do so, the Federal Government needs to make it mandatory for all high school students to participate in physical education. Physical Education restricts any harmful illnesses from forming since the activity promotes muscle strength and cardiovascular endurance (Grace). Young adults need to be physically active in order to avoid dangerous cardiovascular diseases from forming and the Federal Government can ensure this by enforcing physical education within high schools. In fact since the last decade, physical education has been argued and decreased in importance; as a result of this, more and more young adults are developing heart diseases in an early age. In fact, according to the CDC, physical inactivity increases one’s risk for dying prematurely, dying of heart disease, and developing diabetes, colon cancer, and high blood pressure (Physical). It's only a matter of time before the number of young adults that get a cardiovascular disease rises, and the only thing that can help stop this is the Federal

Mandatory high school physical education tries to pawn off a healthy lifestyle on teenagers who frankly don’t care. Without mandatory physical education, students will be able to take control of their education and the costs of mandatory gym will be filtered back into the school in more purposeful ways. Prairie Ridge should offer weights, total body fitness, and cardiovascular to students as an elective who wish for that break in between academic classes.

According to recent studies, the amount of adolescents considered to be obese has increased by over 15% during the past thirty years (“Childhood Obesity Facts”). Physical activity is an essential part of every person’s day in order to lead a healthy lifestyle. Currently, Hudson High School requires all students to take the equivalent of two semesters of Physical Education class over the course of their high school education. However, mandating that all students participate in one sport is a much improved standard that will allow students to enjoy their physical activity and choose how they want to be active. Participating in one sports team should be the necessary stipulation for high school graduation because sports are shown to increase

Most believe that having exercising facilities in the community would keep people healthy, but research has proved that wrong. Kids today are not exercising and people are not taking advantage of the exercising facilities the community offers. Researchers studies were on, “A boy that lived near an exercising facility as supposed to lose weight, but instead did the opposite,” (Problems for Kid). Kids are not as active as they

There are several public health efforts that focus on eliminating obesity and childhood obesity, hence prompting the US Department of Agriculture to implement new regulations on food packages that would inform consumers of the contents (Ogden, et al, 2014). Ogden (2014) explains that numerous government agencies, including the White House have provided support to help eliminate obesity, but despite these efforts, obesity in the United States remains high, making obesity the focus of

Dale, D., Corbin, C.B., & Dale, K.S. (2000). Restricting opportunities to be active during school time: Do children compensate by increasing physical activity levels after school? Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 71,