Task force reverses course on school P.E.
By Derrick DePledge
Advertiser Education Writer
Responding to public outcry, a task force looking into new high-school graduation requirements has reversed course and will not suggest cutting physical education.
Instead, the task force will urge the state Board of Education to continue to require that students have one credit of P.E., but allow students to earn that credit through a P.E. course and an elective.
Today, the P.E. credit involves just a P.E. course, and some believe that if students also get to choose their own activity through an elective — such as tennis, golf or dance — they may be more likely to take a lifelong interest in fitness.
The task force has worked for more than two years on developing several changes to the state's public-school graduation requirements. Overall, the task force will recommend that the BOE increase the number of credits needed to graduate from 22 to 22 1/2 credits.
But an initial proposal to reduce P.E. to a half-credit has generated the most response.
With the escalating problem of obesity, healthcare providers, teachers, parents and students complained about losing any P.E. One study of a sample of Hawai'i students found that the rate of childhood obesity here was twice the national average between 1992 and 1996.
"We have an obesity epidemic," said Don Weisman, state advocacy director for the American Heart Association.
Weisman, who wants the state to expand P.E. in schools, said he still needs to hear how an elective would satisfy the requirement. "It's like jumbo shrimp. I'm not sure what it means," he said of the proposal. "I'm still concerned."
Denise Matsumoto, a member of the BOE, said she is pleased that the task force restored the full P.E. credit but indicated that she and other board members have questions about other parts of the recommendations. She encouraged people to continue to contact the board with suggestions and asked people to attend a BOE committee meeting on the proposed changes at 3 p.m. today at the Queen Lili'uokalani Building.
The state board will review the task force's work and decide whether — and when — to change the requirements.
The task force will propose reducing social studies from four credits to three, dropping electives from six to five, and eliminating a half-credit for guidance. In exchange, the task force would add a one-credit senior project and two credits for either world languages, fine arts or career and technical education.
At a series of public forums in November and December, the task force heard from parents, teachers, school administrators, students and interest groups.
Students asked why they were required to take electives, which they said should be optional. Teachers and others were concerned that reducing the social studies credit would eliminate economic education, and asked why a credit should be reduced in such an important subject.
Others questioned whether the new senior project would be beneficial for students who are not motivated or college bound.
But the task force found that saving P.E. was the most frequently heard message from the public. The task force still believes P.E., as it exists now, does not help students face obesity and other health problems, but will suggest it be kept at a full credit.
The task force will recommend that all elementary schools develop health and physical activity programs that promote lifelong fitness, and that all high schools create a range of elective P.E. courses that will also encourage students to stay active outside of school and after they graduate.
Reach Derrick DePledge at ddepledge@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8084.
