RI kids being deprived of physical education

 

On November 13 the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) and the American Heart Association released the The 2012 Shape of the Nation Report  – and the findings are cause for serious concern.  While 74.5 percent of states mandate physical education in elementary through high school, most still fail to require a specific amount of instructional time and nearly half allow exemptions, waivers, and/or substitutions.

How does Rhode Island rank?  The good news – our state does NOT allow exemptions, waivers, and/or substitutions for physical education.  The bad news – the Ocean State falls far short of the nationally recommended amount of instructional time per week.  In short, RI kids are being deprived of a critical opportunity to be active and to shape a healthy lifestyle. 

NASPE and the American Heart Association recommend that schools provide 150 minutes per week/30 minutes per day of instructional physical education for elementary school children, and 225 minutes per week/45 minutes per day for middle and high school students for the entire school year. Currently, no states follow these nationally recommended guidelines at all levels.

The fact that our kids are being deprived of physical education amid a childhood obesity epidemic is unacceptable.  Tell Governor Chafee and Education Commissioner Gist that our children deserve more physical education to help them get a healthy start on life - just click the link below to take action today! 

http://yourethecure.org/aha/advocacy/composeletters.aspx?AlertID=30856

You can view The 2012 Shape of the Nation Report at http://www.naspeinfo.org/shapeofthenation

enclosure_image_url===https://yourethecure.org/AHA/Community/cfs-file.ashx/__key/telligent-evolution-components-attachments/01-02-00-00-00-00-09-28/Shape_2D00_of_2D00_the_2D00_Nation.jpg
Share This Story

Be the first to comment


Please check your e-mail for a link to activate your account.