Many schools have cut back on physical education programs, the better to focus on core classes and test scores. But some experts suggest that increased physical health could result in better academic performance:
In Maryland State Assessments last year, 59 percent to 82 percent of students at Oakleigh [Elementary School] scored above the "proficient" level in third- and fifth- grade reading and math. Ironically, more, not less, physical activity may have helped raise those scores, according to a recent book by Dr. Charles Corbin.
"The No. 1 barrier to physical activity in schools is the perception that time spent in activity such as physical education and recess will undermine academic learning," he wrote. Corbin is the author of the revised "Physical Activity for Children: A Statement of Guidelines for Children Ages 5-12," cited by National Association for Sport and Physical Education.
At Hereford Middle, sixth-graders have physical education five days a week; seventh- and eighth-graders, three times a week. Each period of 50 minutes ranges from team sports to cross country running to shuffleboard.
"Studies have shown students learn better when their bodies are more active," said Kim Nawrocki, a physical education teacher at Hereford.
I'd love to see those studies. My (uninformed) guess is that schools that still have extensive PE programs are schools which already have good test scores, which would make interpretation of study results more difficult. I wonder if any true experiments were done to see whether PE programs introduced into failing schools had a positive effect.
Posted by kswygert at March 25, 2004 12:26 PM