Requires school district compliance with physical education instruction requirements in elementary grades in public schools to be reported to the department of education

Title of bill

An act to require school district compliance with physical education instruction requirements in elementary grades in public schools to be reported to the department of education

Purpose

This bill requires school districts to report to the department of education and thereby ensures compliance with physical instruction requirements in elementary schools

Summary of provisions

Section 1 requires the commissioner to create a procedure by which school district compliance with physical education instruction requirements as required by law and regulation in elementary grades in all public schools is reported to the department by school districts. Section 2 is effective date.

Justification

This bill follows a public hearing that was held in 2003 by the Assembly Standing Committee on Education regarding compliance with required physical education classes. At the hearing, teachers, principals, and education advocates-testified about instances in which schools were not meeting physical education requirements. In addition, a survey sponsored by NYSUT found that teachers did not believe school districts to be complying with requirements, and a 2011 audit by the NYC comptroller found that no city elementary schools were in compliance with state physical education requirements. SED too did an audit of a limited number of school districts in 2008 and found that districts generally were not complying with regulations.

Schools' compliance with state regulations is essential to the health and well-being of New York's children. A lack of physical activity is leading to higher obesity rates for children and manifesting itself in higher rates of diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure and other pulmonary diseases. All of these indicators demonstrate the declining health of our young. Many studies show that unhealthy lifestyles in youth lead to much poorer health outcomes in adulthood. Regulations regarding physical education serve to ensure that students receive the amount of physical activity and learning needed to maintain their health.

By requiring the commissioner of education to establish a procedure whereby school report about compliance and efforts to remedy non-compliance, New York State can ensure that schools are giving elementary students the physical education that they need to stay healthy.

Legislative history

2015 - S.3344 - Referred to Education / A.3880 - Reported to Ways and Means; 2014 - S.7715 Referred to Education / A.8592 Referred to Ways and Means

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.