NO one concerned about children can argue whether most need more exercise. The need is disturbingly obvious.
So it's no great surprise lawmakers want schools to mandate more physical education for students, particularly at the elementary and middle school levels.
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Rep. Jeff Hickman's bill would require 150 minutes per week of physical education for elementary students, up from the 60 minutes now mandated. Sixth-grade students also would need 150 minutes a week, while the proposal would require 100 minutes per week for seventh- and eighth-grade students.
Requiring more physical education is one of Gov. Brad Henry's priorities, and the bill has the support of Anne Roberts, executive director of the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy. The proposal would bring Oklahoma's physical education requirements more in line with those of other states.
Many children are too sedentary, and the results are frightening. Diabetes and other weight-related health problems are pervasive among children, with effects that can last a lifetime.
Still, we urge legislators to get plenty of input from school-level officials about the impact of requiring more PE. Ever-increasing academic mandates are partly responsible for the phasing out of physical education. It's true the school day has too many interruptions and schools could use student time better. But balancing core academics with other important courses and activities is no small task.
Roberts suggested the requirement should allow schools to count dancing, walking, riding horses and jumping rope. Indeed, this is not your grandparents' PE class. Calorie-burning dancing games have become popular physical activities for the younger generation.
Parents modeling healthy eating and exercise habits are critical to helping children stay healthy. But there's no denying schools play a major role in that effort, and they should have the latitude to get creative as they try to get children up and moving.
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Kelli - Great thoughts! I agree with your observations and would love to know more about your program. I believe with some ingenuity and team work we can accomplish an increase in our standards, and I appreciate knowing your administrators believe that too. I applaud your efforts and wish other school officials would share the mindset of your administrators instead of just saying no to these much needed changes which will benefit Oklahoma's kids and offering no solutions of their own. Rep. Jeff Hickman
It is good to see that the legislators are getting involved in this endeavor. I have heard that someone sent an editorial about the fact that there is no way you can "safely" have 50 children involved in physical activity. I laugh at that comment because I am involved in an endeavor where it is being done and done quite well I must add. Physical activity is important and the benefits of it are enormous. Our lower elementary children are involved in physical activity four days a week for 45 minutes. It takes some ingenuity to get it organized but when people work together and you have your administration backing you, the results are great!
Here's an idea - Parents, don't let your kids come home from school and play video games all night, or watch television for that matter. Make them go outside and play. It's time for the parents to raise the children, not the schools.
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Thank you for joining our conversations on NewsOK.com. We encourage your discussions but ask that you stay within the bounds of our terms and conditions. Please help us by reporting comments that violate these guidelines. To review our rules of engagement, go to Commenting and posting policy.
Leave a comment. Log in below or sign up (it's free).Editor's note: It is not our intent to offer comments on crime or fatality stories.