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Teaching Cuts in Physical Education are NOT Inevitable!
It's time that as a profession we became more politically astute.
PEP grant successes aside we continue to hear about cuts to physical
education teaching positions - especially at the elementary level.
We are naive to believe that school administrators care about data
that shows the nation's youth are unhealthy and that health risks
are increasing. Neither should we expect administrators to attend
to the mounting evidence of a connection between active lifestyles
and academic performance. The #1 priority of superintendents and
school district business managers is finances - specifically, balancing
budgets!
Few physical educators understand that cutting physical education
(and art and music) positions makes obvious budgetary sense because
the basis for school funding typically does not take into account
the hiring of specialists in addition to classroom teachers.
Because salaries for physical education teachers must be found
in addition to allocated state funding, it is viewed as fiscally
prudent to cut these positions when funds are tight or when administrators
feel pressured to focus on improving student performance in the
"academic" areas included in state assessments.
Sadly, we know that eventually state decision makers will be forced
to address children's health issues. About then they will wonder
why health care costs are so high and connect it to children's inactivity.
The pendulum will swing back to increased support for physical education.
We can wait but in many states an immediate solution stares
us in the face.
For example, in Washington State it is mandated in law that children
shall receive at least 100 minutes of instructional time in physical
education in grades 1-8. In reality, few schools observe this law.
Many openly flaunt it by offering only 60 minutes of physical education
a week. Others cut back further. Some administrators also erroneously
count recess - which clearly is not instructional time.
We complain. We moan. What we don't do is the one thing that would
quickly put a hold on these cuts. We must NOT continue to allow
school districts to break the law!
Some districts do it intentionally, others do it through simple
neglect of the law. Here in Washington, superintendents sign off
annually that their district is in compliance with state laws. School
Boards have policies governing their actions that confirm state
laws are being met. State funding for school districts depends on
this compliance.
The solution to stopping cuts in physical education teaching positions
is simple but requires bold action. School districts have neither
the resources nor will to openly break state laws. But someone
has to be willing to hold them accountable. It can be a parent,
a teacher, or even a student. Here's what to do.
Superintendents and school boards should first be informed that
they are not in compliance with state laws. If necessary, the next
step is to attend a school board meeting and during the time allocated
for public or community input the point be made publicly that the
district is breaking a state law.
Local media can be contacted to ensure the matter receives broad
public coverage. Increasing pressure further, the district should
be reported to the organization that oversees public education in
your state. This group is charged with ensuring compliance with
school laws.
The reality is that few school districts would risk the consequences
of breaking state laws. Just a few well-publicized examples would
stop many school districts from cutting physical education teaching
positions.
Steve Jefferies
PELINKS4U/Central Washington University
(School board member, Ellensburg, WA)
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