LAUSD school board set to approve motion to make P.E. a priority.

Teachers’ union and school district set goals to improve student health.

July 08, 2008 – The LAUSD school board today will vote on a motion entitled “Physical education is a priority” that recognizes that a quality education program must also ensure that our children are physically fit. The motion, if approved, is designed to bring the school district into compliance with State Department of Education mandates on physical education.

The motion was a joint effort between LAUSD, United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) and local community organizations. In November 2007 UTLA launched a P.E. campaign, “P.E. – just for the health of it”, encouraging the school district to accomplish three key goals:

1. A 55:1 cap for P.E. class size, to move P.E. to a more even footing with other subject classes
2. Enforcement of state law (education code) for P.E. especially regarding time and safe and adequate facilities: e.g.: 20 minutes a day for elementary students & 40 minutes a day for secondary students
3. A certificated physical education instructor at each elementary school

The campaign was part of an overall union effort to encourage the school board to improve its physical education curriculum. Current school board policy calls for “every effort” to be made to maintain a 55:1 ratio, however, many P.E. classes have been found to have over 55 students. The motion calls for the superintendent to create, by August 1, an implementation plan to achieve compliance with relevant codes and regulations, including the 55:1 cap on P.E. class size.

Joshua Pechthalt, UTLA’s AFT Vice President and the UTLA officer spearheading the campaign commented, “In light of the growing epidemic of obesity and Type 2 diabetes among school aged children, the work of P.E. instructors, UTLA, fitness and health related organizations and members of the LAUSD school board to cap P.E. class size and prioritize physical education sets the stage for a more vigorous approach to quality physical fitness instruction.”

Contact Marla Eby, UTLA Director of Communications 213-368-6247 for additional information.