Matt+Ralbusky+-+Physical+Fitness+&+Academic+Achievement

[|chest pain right side]GB Cohort Matt Ralbusky's Page = **Why we should NOT cut Physical Education** =

Introduction FIT kids Act (Fitness Integrated with Teaching Kids Act) CDC (Center for Disease Control) Articles Videos Resources

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__Introduction__
I currently teach Elementary Physical & Health Education in an inclusive and diverse setting within the Grand Blanc Community School District. My home school is Brendel Elementary. Brendel is a unique building in the sense that it not only houses kindergarten through fifth grade general education students but also houses special education programs affiliated with the Genesee intermediate School District.

As a Physical Educator, I am responsible on a daily basis to motivate, inspire, encourage, and mold students of varying ages and ability levels regardless of their gender, race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status to reach their maximal potential and beyond. It is my intent that this webpage bring awareness about the pressing need to ensure daily physical activity for our children and youth whether in a school environment or at home.

According to American Heart Association, childhood obesity in our country has now reached epidemic proportions. In fact, by 2010, 20% of U.S. children are expected to be obese, putting them at greater risk of developing and dying from heart disease as adults. For the sake of our children's health it is imperative that we, as a nation, take steps now to reverse this trend before it is too late. [|Total Gym XLS]

 //Why we should NOT cut PE//

__FIT kids Act__
While many factors have contributed to this alarming rise in overweight children, one of the main culprits is a decrease in the physical activity levels of today's youth, and we need the help of schools to address this. The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend that children engage in sixty minutes or more of physical activity each day, so kids need to get some of that activity at school. Fit and active kids are not only healthier, but research also indicates that their school performance is improved. That's why the American Heart Association supports the Fitness Integrated with Teaching (FIT) Kids Act.[|FIT kids Act] This federal legislation has been introduced by Representatives Ron Kind (D-WI) and __**Zach Wamp (R-TN)**__ in the House of Representatives, and by Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA) and John Ensign (R-NV) in the Senate. The bill amends the No Child Left Behind Act to ensure that kids learn how to be responsible for their health and that they are active during the school day.

But to get this critical piece of legislation passed we must reach out to our legislators and impress upon them the importance of making our kids health a priority ... and that is where people like you come in. [|If you haven't already, please contact Congress today]!

Strengthening PE in schools Congressman Zach Wamp (R-TN) House Education and Labor Committee Hearing media type="youtube" key="niTSwp6mn58" height="385" width="480"

 //Why we should NOT cut PE// =__CDC Look at Children Health__=
 * The prevalence of obesity among children aged 6 to 11 more than doubled in the past 20 years, going from 6.5% in 1980 to 17.0% in 2006.
 * The rate among adolescents aged 12 to 19 more than tripled, increasing from 5% to 17.6%.
 * Obesity is the result of caloric imbalance (too few calories expended for the amount of calories consumed) and is mediated by genetics and health.
 * An estimated 61% of obese young people have at least one additional risk factor for heart disease, such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure.
 * In addition, children who are obese are at greater risk for bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, and __social__ and __psychological problems__ such as stigmatization and poor self-esteem.

 //Why we should NOT cut PE// =__Articles:__=

[|Why we shouldn't cut PE] Stewart G. Trost & Hans van der Mars, Dec 09/Jan 10 issue of Educational Leadership This article discusses the notion that eliminating physical education programs in favor of more time spent on reading and math will improve achievement. Trost and Mars adamantly refute this notion as the evidence and research suggests otherwise.

[|The Case for Physical Education] Sue Douglass Fliess, http://www.education.com/magazine/article/Physical_Education_Schools_Why/ This is a well written article advocating for Physical Education in the wake of ever increasing pressures on schools to improve standardized test scores. The following is an excerpt from the article that I found to be engaging and of particular importance: "//For starters, schools are under budgetary constraints and immense pressure to improve standardized test scores. So schools have been questioning the value of physical education. They are trimming the "fat", which for them may be anything that does not advance children in academic subjects. PE, arts programs and recess seem to suffer the hardest blows. Stewart Trost, Ph.D. and Associate Professor for the Departments of Nutrition and Exercise Science at Oregon State University, says, "The belief that time for Physical Education compromises academic performance is simply not supported by the research on this topic. If anything, the evidence suggests that regular physical activity breaks and physical education can promote better classroom learning by keeping kids more on task and improving concentration.”//

[|Fitness may boost Kid's Grades] Kathleen Doheny, Health Day Reporter: http://www.businessweek.com/lifestyle/content/healthday/636498.html This article summarizes a study that finds a link between physical health and academic test scores. ''Children's physical fitness is associated with their academic performance," said study author Lesley Cottrell, an associate professor of pediatrics at West Virginia University, in Morgantown.

[|The Cooper Institute]

[|Fit Students do better on TAKS, study finds] April Castro, Associated Press Writer 2009 The Associated Press Austin Texas, Physically fit students in Texas are more likely to do well on the state's standardized test and have better attendance and less absenteeism.
 * The two-year old law requires annual fitness assessments for public school students beginning in third grade. The results were reported to the Texas Education Agency and the Cooper Institute of Dallas analyzed them.
 * The Cooper Institute found that cardiovascular health, measured by a walking/running test, had a higher correlation to school success than the students' body mass index.
 * "Increased exercise improves cardiovascular health and that helps the brain function more efficiently and enhances its ability to learn," said aerobics pioneer Dr. Kenneth Cooper, founder of the Cooper Institute.

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  //Why we should NOT cut PE// =__Videos __=

 [|Pumping Up the Brain]

 [|Keeping kids in shape]

 [|Dr. Kenneth Cooper]

[|Obesity Report Card]



__Resources__
[|American Heart Association]

[|Children's Health]

[|healthier generation]

[|Websites for Kids]

[|CDC statistics]

[|quality physical education]

[|NFL Play 60 Challenge] [|chest pain right side]