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Physical education is just as important as any other school subject

Originally published Oct. 3, 2018 by The Conversation.

By Andrew Sprake And Clive Palmer

Physical education (PE) is often viewed as a marginal subject within the curriculum. And many secondary schools actively reduce PE time to make way for what are deemed more “serious” or “important” subjects.

Research from the Youth Sport Trust shows that 38% of English secondary schools have cut timetabled PE for 14- to 16-year-olds. One of the main reasons for this is the increased pressure to produce exam results. Much of the time pupils would usually spend in PE lessons is now spent receiving extra tutoring on topics other than PE. Read More

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Local Lawmakers Push to Boost Recess, P.E. In Elementary Schools

Originally published March 8, 2018 by WAMU 88.5, American University.

By Kathy Goldgeier and Jonathan Wilson

Lawmakers in Virginia and Maryland are looking at ways to expand recess and physical education in elementary schools amid growing concern that kids don’t get enough exercise.

“It’s really staggering how out of a shape a lot of the kids are,” said Matt Slatkin, a P.E. teacher at Newport Mill Middle School in Kensington, describing his sixth-grade students. “I’m talking mile runs above 18 minutes — when they’re giving their best effort.”

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Commentary: Utah students and teachers need real middle school health, PE and art

Originally published Aug. 8 in the Salt Lake Tribune.

By Tim Pettus

During an interview on KSL radio August 8, Utah State Board of Education member Linda Hansen stated, “instead of having a separate class for PE, they may integrate health/PE type issues into other classes that they have.”

Is Hansen implying that overworked classroom teachers will happily take on more work and teach a subject they did not study in college, are not qualified to teach, and most likely don’t want to teach?

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