Schools Fail in Physical Education
Only 36% of U.S. children in grades 1 through 12 receive daily physical education. This despite accepted knowledge that physical activity improves academic achievement and has a positive effect on the health and well being of children. We are not alone in voicing this concern; the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Sports Medicine has also expressed concern. The U.S. Congress has passed a resolution (H. Con. Res. 97) encouraging State and local educational agencies to include more physical education in grades K through 12. Unfortunately, only one state, Illinois, complies. Moreover, this trend seems to be worsening. Data from two periods (1974-75 and 1984-86) show a decrease in daily physical education activity (from I 33% to 36%).
To make matters even worse, students spend a mere 27% of the time being physically active when in physical education class. Of the remaining time, 26% was spent on instruction, an important feature of physical education. But almost half the time was wasted: 25% of the time was spent waiting with 22% going to administrative tasks.