HB1039: Limiting physical activity requirements in public school (Updated)

HB1039: AN ACT TO INCREASE ACADEMIC INSTRUCTION TIME IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND TO LIMIT PHYSICAL ACTIVITY REQUIREMENTS FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS

This bill is up for a vote on the floor this afternoon, and as controversial as it sounds, I haven't heard much. I sought out some opinions from local educators and administrators on it, who all voiced support for it. I figured the same group opposing the BMI repeal would be opposing this bill, but it's been quiet. I support it on the basis that I generally like giving control to local school districts as to issues like this. If they want to continue the current regulation, they're welcome to do just that (or increase the time for phyical activities).

The opposition e-mail from the Governor's Council on Fitness is on the jump.

Update (2/8, 1:50p.m.): Rep. Wells related specific instances where some school districts were implementing "walking" between classrooms in order to meet the 60-minute mandate. Rep. Walters spoke in opposition to the wording "or the equivalent amount of time" phrase in the legislation. She believes this hampers the ability to instill in our children that they need to be physically active all year long. She's also afraid that this could potentially cut recess periods. This is important because children need to release energy to be prepared for the learning process, she says.

Rep. Saunders spoke for the bill to give schools the discretion to determine physical activity requirements. He responded to a question from Rep. Reep that this will not affect athletic programs.

Rep. Chesterfield spoke against the bill on the basis that the current requirements does not equal to an unfunded mandate. She states that the money was specifically appropriated for this project and is part of the budget (PE is funded in the matrix, but not "physical activities"). She's concerned that we're rolling back the good things we've done. Local control is fine, but the educating of our children is the state's responsibility -- the Supreme Court touched on this very issue, she said.

Rep. Stewart spoke in favor of the bill, stating that his rural schools do not have an indoor exercise area. If it's raining or snowing, his children do not have the ability to go outside. This bill gives his schools the discretion to deal with this problem.

Rep. J. Johnson spoke against the bill on the basis that the guidelines separating different requirements for children at different levels are confusing. This part is the problem, she says. If the clause was removed that was discussed in Rep. Walters testimony, she would support the bill.

Rep. Abernathy spoke for the bill to summarize the legislative intent of the bill. Public schools operate by standards, which are set by the legislature, the Board of Education, and accreditation organizations. Different levels of education have different curriculums (curriculi?) and different PE standards. The physical activity that is currently in force is a regulation implemented by the Board of Education. He told us that teachers are adamant that they do not want time taken away from their time to teach. He reiterated specific examples of students having to leave portions of class so students can go walk around the track to satisfy the requirement.

Rep. Schulte spoke against the bill on the basis that physical activity/P.E. is needed for the state's children. She's asking to have the bill referred back to committee to amend it. Rep. Hawkins spoke for the bill.

Rep. Wells closed for the bill, and the bill passed by a vote of 68-27 with 1 voting present.

The roll call can be found here:

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