Rhode Island passes Gym Class
Here’s some good news. Most states received a failing grade on their physical education requirements in the latest Shape of the Nation Report: Status of Physical Education in the USA, released earlier this month by the National Association for Sport and Physical Education and the American Heart Association. But Rhode Island wasn’t one of them.
The Ocean State has been recognized as one of the ``best’’ states when it comes to setting requirements for physical education. Rhode Island requires physical education for grades 1-12 and does not allow exemptions, waivers or substitutions, says Paula Keyes Kun, director of communications for the National Association for Sports and Physical Education.
Highlights of the Shape of the Nation Report:
· Forty-seven states and the District of Columbia have their own state standards for physical education.
· Approximately 30 percent of states do not mandate physical education for elementary and middle school students.
· Almost one-fourth of states (24% or 12) allow required physical education credits to be earned through online physical education courses.
· Forty-three percent of states (22) require physical education grades to be included in a student’s grade-point average.
· Sixteen states have a required comprehensive assessment test for graduation, but none include physical education.
· Thirty-six states have an educational report card that rates specific subject areas individually, but only three of those states (California, Hawaii, Kentucky) include physical education on their state report cards.
· Currently only three states – Arkansas, California and Illinois – require schools to measure body mass index for each student.
Rhode Island’s Profile
Amount of Required Physical Education: The state mandates physical education in elementary school, middle school/junior high school and high school.
High School Physical Education: The state does not mandate the number of high school physical education credits that are required for a student to graduate.
Exemptions/Waivers/ Substitutions: The state does not grant exemptions/waivers for school districts regarding physical education time or credit requirements. The state does not permit school districts or schools to allow students to substitute other activities for their required physical education credit.
Class Size: There is no state mandate regarding a maximum teacher-to-student ratio in elementary, middle school/junior high, or high school physical education classes.
State Standards: The state has developed its own standards for physical education
Student Assessment Requirements: The state does not require student assessment in physical education.
Fitness Testing: The state does not require the use of a particular fitness test protocol in physical education.
State Comprehensive Assessment Test: The state does require a comprehensive assessment test for graduation, but physical education is not included on the test.
Educational Report Card: The state has an educational report card for each school, and specific subject areas are rated individually. However, physical education is not included as one of the subject areas on the report card.