Talking Points . . .

• This is a different Physical Education program than 20 years ago.
  Today’s physical education is vastly different then the experiences many of us had in school. Quality physical education programs are individualized, meaningful, developmentally appropriate, academically enhancing, and establish life-long goals. Quality physical education provides the opportunity for all students to develop the knowledge and skills needed to lead healthy and physically active lifestyles. The National Association for Sport and Physical Education Guidelines for a Quality Physical Education program include three components: opportunity to learn, meaningful content and appropriate instruction. Every student in Massachusetts deserves the opportunity to benefit from quality physical education.
  NOTE: Discuss your experience as a physical educator and your knowledge of a quality physical education program. Make the point that students who participate 5 days/week ca  become  proficient in movement skills!  Provide specific examples. 
• Since 1996, when mandated physical education time was removed, reported weekly physical education participation has dropped dramatically from 80% in 1995 to 57.9% in 2003 (YRBSS).
  Massachusetts law requires physical education to be taught in the public schools. However in 1996, the Board of Education repealed regulations that had mandated minimum annual hours of instruction. Since 1996, local school officials have determined the amount of time for instruction in physical education. In reality, physical education is one of the first programs to suffer when budgets are reduced. However, our students need quality physical education.
  NOTE:  Discuss how this has affected your students and how often they participate in physical education class. If your program meets national and state standards, inform your school community about your exemplary program!  
• We are battling an epidemic . . .
  Massachusetts and this country are battling an obesity epidemic. An estimated 300,000 people die each year in the U.S. due to overweight and obesity. Since the 70s, the number of overweight children from ages 6-19 has increased close to 300%. In Massachusetts, 1/4 of high school students are overweight or at risk for overweight. Overweight & obese children experience the same risk factors associated with heart disease in adults such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels and Type 2 diabetes, once known as adult-onset diabetes. Studies have shown that up to 80% of overweight adolescents become overweight adults. Beyond the human trauma this is also an economic issue. The economic impact of obesity on our health care system is estimated at $129 billion. Of course the problem of obesity occurs from a complex collection of causes and will require a complex set of solutions. However, the role of physical education in the schools must be a part of any solution.
  NOTE: Discuss how overweight/obesity has affected your community.
• Quality physical education is important to address the needs of the whole child.
  Our educational system needs to address the needs of the whole child. The benefits of  quality physical  self-esteem, and the support of other subject areas. Quality physical education has been shown to improve the overall welfare of students including physical, emotional, and cognitive performance.
  NOTE: Discuss how your physical education program helps develop the overall wellness of your students in the community.
• The costs for not supporting this legislation are high.
  Not mandating quality physical education costs too much. The economic impact of obesity on our health care system is estimated at $129billion. Obesity occurs from a complex collection of causes and will require a complex set of solutions. However, the role of physical education in the schools must be a part of any solution. We are prepared to work with the state and local school departments to find the funding needed to support quality physical education programs.
  NOTE: Discuss the costs of a quality physical education program vs. the escalating costs of long term health care for chronic obesity-related illnesses. Discuss innovative ways to approach funding. Another way to approach this is that your program is a cost to your school, but that your administration feels that this issue is  priority enough to fund and support.
• There is broad support for this bill.
  NOTE: Talk with parent/community groups to support for your quality physical education program.

For further information:

Maria Melchionda, Executive Director at MAHPERD (Massachusetts Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance)

(508)794-1338  or maria@ma-hperd.org

Dr. Diane Smith, Advocacy Chair at MAHPERD (Massachusetts Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance

( 413) 575-9494 or Diane28028@aol.com