Graph on Physical Education and overall education

Legend for Chart:

A - Student Outcome
B - % of All States Elementary Schools
C - % of All States Middle Schools
D - % of All States High Schools
E - % of All Districts Elementary Schools
F - % of All Districts Middle Schools
G - % of All Districts High Schools
H - % of All Schools Elementary Schools
I - % of All Schools Middle Schools
J - % of All Schools High Schools

      A                                B      C      D      E
                                       F      G      H      I
                                       J

Competence in motor skills
and movement patterns                 76.5   78.4   80.4   79.0
                                      74.8   72.9   85.2   75.2
                                      75.1

Understanding of movement
concepts, principles, strategies,
and tactics as they apply to
learning and performance
of physical activity                  74.5   78.4   80.4   79.2
                                      73.3   70.9   83.7   78.5
                                      78.0

Regular participation in
physical activity                     74.5   78.4   78.4   81.0
                                      76.4   77.3   86.9   78.3
                                      83.1

Achievement and maintenance
of a health enhancing level
of physical fitness                   74.5   78.4   80.4   77.6
                                      72.7   76.3   84.0   77.6
                                      80.9

Responsible personal and
social behavior                       74.5   76.5   78.4   80.6
                                      77.1   78.4   87.1   78.9
                                      83.4

Value for physical activity
for health, enjoyment,
challenge, self expression,
and/or social interaction             70.6   72.5   74.5   78.6
                                      77.3   78.2   86.5   79.3
                                      83.3

This graph shows the statistics of how students do compared to different criteria such as: how well students do, how much students understand about physical education, and how much they like physical activity and their responsibility level.

Spain, Christine G. Table 1. Percentage of All States, Districts, and Schools That Had Physical Education Goals or Objectives Addressing Student Outcomes From the National Standards for Physical Education, by School Level, SHPPS 2006. Photograph. Journal of School Health. Www.ebscohost.com. By Lee M. Sarah, Charlene R. Burgeson, and Janet E. Fulton. Oct. 2007. Web. 19 Mar. 2012. <http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?vid=7&hid=19&sid=9a48503f-9f60-4e72-b71b-16b9b5fc341d%40sessionmgr15&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl#db=aph&authdb=iqv&AN=3470789&anchor=toc>.

Background and Essential Question:

Is taking physical education classes out of school morally right? Throughout my life, I have always been an active kid, competing in different sports and spending most of my time outdoors. I was not always active like this, though. From first grade to fourth grade, I was considered overweight and made fun of because of it. I was always sensitive to my weight, and in turn I lost weight from doing sports and partaking in physical activity. Although, this issue still bothers me because many of my close friends and acquaintances are overweight and get taken advantage because of it. I specified on physical education in school because of the simple fact that, for many kids, many kids only get physical activity at those times each day. I think that physical education is not only important because it gets children exercise, but it also allows them to socialize, and better understand the concept of sports that they may not have known before.

Essential Question: Is it right to take physical education out of public schools?
              -What if every school had a quality physical education program? What would happen to the obesity ratings?
              -Should physical education be taken out of schools to cut funding?
              -Is it the responsibility of schools to provide a physical education system in school, or is it the responsibility of the child to exercise?
              - Which is more beneficial to a child throughout his/her life, physical education or more academic studies?
              - How much does physical education in schools affect children?