​Last week I outlined the positive steps that the State of Nebraska is taking in terms of implementing new Physical Education standards. To recap, the new Physical Education standards are shifting focus from sports based curriculum, to fitness-based curriculum. Classes on conditioning and flexibility, yoga, outdoor pursuits and individual sports will take the place of some basketball, flag-football, and team sports activities in required Physical Education classes. Most likely the team-sports classes will still be offered as electives.
 
This implementation of new state standards is important, but it is State of Nebraska educational mandates that are necessary to see results in childhood obesity rates. The new state standards set the standard for what Physical Education “should” look like. However, local school districts still have the freedom to operate their Physical Education programs however they see fit. The State of Nebraska issues mandates (must-do’s) for core subjects such as math, science, english, and social studies. The need for mandates in these subjects is very important, as adaptation is necessary to meet the demands of an educationally evolving world.
 
While the new obesity rates (31%, 14th highest in the country), one might suggest that we mandate more Physical Education minutes to the educational schedule. By adding Physical Education minutes, you would have to take away from another subject. With the “core” classes secure, the cuts would come from music or arts programs. Further cuts to these fine arts programs would have a severe impact on the artistic and creative development of our children.  Fine arts, like physical activity, are something that we want our children to participate more in. Cutting fine arts programs to make room more Physical Education is creating a problem, instead of answering one. 
 
The answer to the problem of childhood obesity lies within the “core” of our educational system. Check back next week to see how this is possible. 

​October 14 was a huge day for Physical Education in the State of Nebraska.  New Physical Education standards approved by the Nebraska State Board of Education by a vote of 8-0, outline a shift in curriculum from a sports based model, to a physical fitness based model for K-12th grade classrooms. The new curriculum has an emphasis on lifelong healthy living skills.

This means an increase in classes focused around dancing, strength and conditioning, flexibility, yoga, outdoor pursuits, and additional individual sports that can be participated in over a lifetime. As a former Physical Education teacher, I am very excited about the shift towards fitness based curriculum.

Too often, with the current state of Physical Education classes, children do not get the moderate to vigorous physical activity necessary for a health enhancing life. This is due to a lack of a skill set required to effectively participate in team-sports based physical education classes.

For example, in a game of 5 vs. 5 basketball in a regular Physical Education class, only 2 or 3 students have the skill competency to participate in a manner that increases the student’s heart rate high enough over an extended period of time, to qualify as a moderate to vigorous level of physical activity. In a typical Physical Education class with the enrollment size of 30 students, roughly 20 out of the 30 students will not be physically active in their Physical Education class.

Anyone that has taken a Physical Education class knows what it feels like to not be competent or confident in a sport. A change to a fitness based curriculum will inspire more participation and instill more confidence in our children.
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The new standards for Physical Education are a small step in the right direction, but our state is not in need for step, but for a giant leap.