Directs the commissioner of education to create a pilot program to improve physical education/physical activity programs in certain schools

4 Co-sponsors

• Neil D. Breslin
• Ruth Hassell-Thompson
• Velmanette Montgomery
• Kevin S. Parker

BILL NUMBER:S649A

Title of bill

An act directing the commissioner of education to create a pilot program to improve physical education/physical activity programs in certain schools; and providing for the repeal of such provision upon expiration thereof

Purpose

This bill intends to provide resources for schools to implement a physical education program that provides children with the physical activity needed to maintain a healthy life.

Summary of provisions

Section 1: This section of the bill sets forth the legislative reasoning for the establishment of this pilot program.

Section 2: This section of the bill directs the commissioner of education to establish a physical education pilot program for at least 10 elementary, middle, or high schools with seventy-five percent of the schools located in NYC, all to be based on select criteria. This section also establishes the requirements of the contractor.

Section 3: This section of the bill requires funding for the program to be provided by the Department of Education.

Justification

The United States is confronting a devastating obesity epidemic. The primary causes of childhood obesity - lack of physical activity and poor diet - continue to permeate youth culture and will compromise the quality of life and increase health cost s beyond sustainable.

The statistics for adult physical activity and prevalence of disease are worrisome, especially for New Yorkers. 26.5% of adults in New York report that they do not engage in any physical activity compared to the national average of 22%. More than 700,000 New York City residents have diabetes, most of whom suffer from type 2 diabetes.

The medical cost of treating diabetics in New York City is almost half a billion dollars a year, while the individual's quality of life and workplace productivity is severely hampered.

New York State must supply students with the tools to achieve a healthy life. Currently, 43% of all NYC elementary school students are overweight or obese. Furthermore, overweight youth 10-15 years old have an 80% chance of becoming an obese adult by age 25. At current rates, Type 2 diabetes is expected to afflict one in three American children born after 1999.

Physical education in the school proves remarkably successful. While New York State requires physical fitness education in schools, many schools have difficulties implementing the requirements due to limited resources in funding and/or space. For example, student-teacher ratios for physical education in New York City are

an estimated 730 to 1. This bill intends to assist schools in providing the much needed exercise our children need to maintain an active and enjoyable life.

Legislative history

S.7252 of 2008 03/24/08 Referred to Education S.125 of 2009 01/07/09 Referred to Education 01/06/10 Referred to Education S.649 of 2011 01/05/11 Referred to Education 06/22/11 Committee Discharged and Committed to Rules 06/22/11 Ordered to Third Reading Cal. 1492 06/22/11 Passed Senate 06/22/11 Delivered to Assembly 06/22/11 Referred to Education 01/04/12 Died in Assembly 01/04/12 Returned to Senate 01/04/12 Referred to Education

Fiscal implications

To be determined by the Commissioner of Education.

Effective date

This bill shall take effective immediately and shall be repealed on June 30, 2014.