2008 Quality Physical Education Resolution

Download a printable version of the 2008 Quality Physical Education Resolution

Resolution in Support of Defining Quality Physical Education (PE) in NC’s Basic Education Plan

 March 2008

WHEREAS, in July 2007 the Trust for America’s Health ranked North Carolina as the state with the 5th highest rate of overweight and obese children age 10 – 17 (19.3% of NC’s children in this age group) and the 17th most obese state in the nation (1); this and

WHEREAS, a continued increase in childhood obesity will cause the current generation of children to be the first generation in American history to have a shorter lifespan than their parents (2); and

WHEREAS, being overweight or obese increases an individual’s risk for a range of serious diseases including type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke, and some forms of cancer(3) (4), and North Carolina already struggles with high rates of heart disease, stroke (4th highest rate among all states)(5) and diabetes (9th highest rate)(6); and

WHEREAS, the health care cost of physical inactivity, overweight, type 2 diabetes and low fruit and vegetable consumption among NC youth exceeds $38 million annually(7); and

WHEREAS, the average overweight NC child will accrue $22,000 in direct medical expenses by the midpoint of his/her career and over $200,000 in direct health care costs by his/her retirement(8); and

WHEREAS, quality school physical education instruction can increase an individual's participation in moderate to vigorous physical activity and help develop the knowledge, attitudes and skills needed to engage in lifelong physical activity(9), and which will decrease the risks of dying prematurely, suffering from heart disease, and developing diabetes, colon cancer, high blood pressure(10); and

WHEREAS, participation in a structured physical education program helps build and maintain healthy bones and muscles, control weight, build lean muscle and reduce fat, reduces feelings of depression and anxiety, and promotes psychological well-being(11); and

WHEREAS, the indicator of academic performance includes grade point average, scores on standardized tests, and grades in specific courses; the addition of physical education to the curriculum does not compromise academic performance and has resulted in positive gains in academic performance(12) (13); and

WHEREAS, the Basic Education Plan created by the NC Legislature in 1995 identifies both physical education and health education as standard programs of study for school children (General Statute 115c-81(e)), however only health education is defined in existing law;

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the undersigned endorses promoting the definition, creation and implementation of a comprehensive, quality physical education program in North Carolina’s public schools;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the undersigned endorses defining quality physical education according to the standards for Quality Physical Education established by the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) that include all of the following:

Opportunity to Learn:

• Appropriate instructional periods with well-designed lessons that facilitate student learning. Appropriate instruction periods include 150 minutes weekly physical education instruction in elementary schools, 225 minutes weekly “healthful living” instruction in middle schools, and 2 units of “healthful living” (1 semester of health, 3 semesters of PE) as a graduation requirement for high school;
• Certified/licensed physical education teacher providing a developmentally appropriate program who is required to earn regular continuing education credits of which at least 50% must be in physical education;
• Adequate equipment and facilities.
• Uses regular assessment of students to monitor and reinforce student learning,

• Require passage of a Healthful Living End of Grade/Course exam as a high school graduation requirement
• Require one unit of Healthful Living as a college entrance requirement for all University of North Carolina campuses.

Meaningful Content:

• Instruction in a variety of motor skills that are designed to enhance the physical, mental and social/emotional development of every child;
• Fitness education and assessment to help children understand, improve and/or maintain physical well-being, including end of grade testing;
• Development of cognitive concepts about motor skill and fitness;
• Opportunities to improve students emerging social and cooperative skills and gain a multi-cultural perspective;
• Promotion of regular amounts of appropriate physical activity now and throughout life.

Appropriate Instruction:

• Full inclusion of all students;
• Maximum practice opportunities for class activities;
• Out of school assignments that support learning and practice;
• Physical activity cannot be taken away as punishment nor can severe physical activity be used as punishment (current State Board of Education policy);

Approved by Alliance Obesity Prevention Cmt Feb. 7; to be voted on by full membership April 7, 2008

Please complete the form below (all fields required) to submit your signature to the NC Alliance for Health.