American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance - AAHPERD

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

New Survey Shows Schools Need to Take a Comprehensive Approach to Increasing Physical Activity Levels of Students and Staff

RESTON, VA, October 12, 2011 – While schools have the opportunity to help students meet the national guidelines to participate in at least 60 minutes of physical activity a day, a new survey released today by the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) found that only 16% of elementary schools, 13% of middle schools and 6% of high schools are currently providing physical activity before, during, and after school – components of a comprehensive school physical activity program (CSPAP).

A CSPAP, which consists of physical education, physical activity during school, physical activity before and after school, staff involvement, and family and community involvement, is a model for school districts and schools to provide a variety of opportunities for school-based physical activity to develop physically educated students.

According to AAHPERD Vice President for Programs Judith C. Young, Ph.D., "The purpose of this new CSPAP survey is to better understand the extent to which schools across the United States are providing before-, during-, and after-school physical activity opportunities at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. As shown by the survey findings, the lack of a comprehensive approach by many schools indicates a vast opportunity to add or expand physical activity in the daily school routine.  By taking full advantage of available time and resources, schools will be better positioned for success and students will benefit from being more physically active."

The survey establishes a baseline to measure future progress and periodically assess trends related to before-, during-, and after-school physical activity. Specifically, the survey can be used as a data source for measuring progress on the National Physical Activity Plan education sector strategy to "provide access to and opportunities for high-quality, comprehensive physical activity programs, anchored by physical education, in pre-kindergarten through grade 12 educational settings."

Additionally, findings from the survey will be used to inform the activities of the Let's Move in School initiative being conducted by AAHPERD. The goal of Let's Move in School is to ensure that every school provides a CSPAP with quality physical education as the foundation.  Launched in April 2010, Let's Move in School supports Let's Move!,  First Lady Michelle Obama's campaign to solve the epidemic of childhood obesity within a generation. Joining the AAHPERD family of national, district, and state associations in support of both of these initiatives are leading education associations, federal partners, and corporate partners in an effort to help schools provide physical activity before, during, and after school.

Key Findings

Among the key findings:

• Less than one-sixth of schools, 16% of elementary schools, 13% of middle schools, and 6% of high schools are currently providing a CSPAP.
• Physical education is most commonly provided in grades 1-5 (90% of schools). The percentage of schools that provide physical education declines through middle school and reaches a low in grade 12 at 44% of schools.
• Almost one-third of elementary schools (31%) have a policy or practice that prevents recess from being withheld as a behavioral consequence or form of punishment. In nearly two-thirds (61%) of elementary schools, integration of physical activity in some classrooms occurs between lessons (56% of schools), during lessons (44% of schools), and at the start of the day (43% of schools).
• Almost two-thirds of schools (63%) offer physical activity clubs and/or intramural sports. In 70% of high schools at least 25% of males participate in one or more interscholastic sport and this same criterion is met by females in 58% of high schools.
• Employee physical activity classes are offered by 42% of schools or districts. But, less than half of staff members participate in these activities in 87% of these schools.Related to the availability of school facilities for open use by students or community members before or after school, most often outdoor facilities were available (68%) followed by gymnasiums (39%).

As part of the survey, participants were given the opportunity to describe successes and challenges they experienced while implementing CSPAP activities at their school. Successes included physical activity during the school day, physical activity clubs and intramural sports, community-based physical activity programs, new curricula, and taking a stand on physical education waivers. Challenges included lack of resources (money, time and facilities), lack of support, scheduling issues, and lack of priority or value for physical education and physical activity.

Rick Howard, director of athletic programs and activities for the School District of Philadelphia and chairperson of the AAHPERD Let's Move in School initiative, is a firm believer in the importance of integrating physical activity into all aspects of the school day. "Despite the challenges, with childhood obesity at an all-time high, it is essential to create environments that support physical activity participation. Schools are the most important setting for promoting and providing physical activity because time spent in school accounts for the majority of weekday waking hours for most children."

For information, resources and tools to increase before-, during-, and after-school physical activity in our nation's schools, go to Lets Move In School.

Methodology

The survey was conducted electronically, using Survey Monkey, in the spring of 2011. Over three-quarters (78%) of the individuals who started the survey completed it (1,225 of 1,566 individuals), and 94% of survey participants were physical educators. It was promoted to AAHPERD members via the AAHPERD website and e-mail announcements and to non-members through AAHPERD's network state organizations and organizational and corporate partners. All respondents were volunteers and no sampling techniques were used. The survey included seven sections: demographics, five CSPAP components, and comments on successes and challenges of implementing a CSPAP.

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Contact:
Paula Kun
pkun@aahperd.org
703-476-3461

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AAHPERD, an alliance of five national associations, six district associations, and a Research Consortium, provides its members with a comprehensive and coordinated array of resources, support, and programs to help practitioners improve their skills to further the health and well-being of the American public. It is the largest organization of professionals involved in physical education, recreation, fitness, dance, health promotion and all specialties related to achieving an active, healthy lifestyle. AAHPERD serves 20,000 members and has its headquarters in Reston, Virginia, 25 miles west of Washington DC. To learn more, visit www.aahperd.org.