WHY HAVE PHYSICAL EDUCATION?

Why Is It Important for Elementary Students to Have Physical Education?

Karen D. Roney

Concordia University Portland

An Action Research Proposal/Report Presented to

The Graduate Program in Partial Fulfillment of Requirements

For the Degree of Masters in Education in Administration

Concordia University Portland

2010

Table of Contents

Chapter1 - Introduction……………………………………………………………...........

Chapter 2 - The issue……………………………………………………………………..

Chapter 3 - The goal……………………………………………………………………..

Chapter 4 - Action plan…………………………………………………………………..

Chapter 5 - Conclusions and Recommendations

Reference List……………………………………………………………………...........

Appendix…………………………………………………………………………………

Why Is It Important for Elementary Students to Have Physical Education

Abstract

Physical fitness is an essential component of our overall health and well-being. As today's generation of children may be the first in the United States to have a life expectancy shorter than their parents. Low levels of fitness caused by inactivity and poor nutritional habits of many of today's youth may be a contributing factor. The National Association of Sports and Physical Education (NASPE) have also deemed physical fitness and a healthy lifestyle important. NASPE recommends school-age children accumulate at least 60 minutes and up to several hours of physical activity per day while avoiding prolonged periods of inactivity. In addition, The National Association for the Education of Young Children has emphasized its value within our education system (Essay, E. & Burnham, M. (2009). Yet, within our educational system, the amount of attention towards physical education has declined.

The amount of physical activity has decreased within the school system affecting recess, physical education (P.E.), and after school sports. The children affected are likely to have an increased number of health problems; also the learning process resulting from the inactivity. The decrease in physical activity is restricting the physical outlet necessary for the overall learning process including learning skills and teamwork capabilities.

Based upon the current research involving the comparison of three fifth grade classes, with an estimate of thirty students per class, the researcher was able to document the notable differences in fitness levels from the students' fourth to fifth grade year. Within this study, the researcher also addresses the differences in student behavior changes based upon number of student referrals and teacher response through a questionnaire. This study follows the statements from NAPSE and The National Association for the Education of Young Children in regards to the need for physical fitness within our educational system.

Chapter 1: Introduction

The school district where the researcher will be conducting her research was formed in 1954 by consolidating four cities. The district spans 27 square miles in area. It serves over 11,000 students and contains urban, suburban, and rural settings. There are currently eleven elementary schools, three middle schools, one high school, one charter school, and one alternative learning high school in this district. Together, the students speak more than forty-five languages.

The district household characteristics are 14% single-parent, 85% adults with at least a high school diploma, and 22% adults with at least a Bachelor's degree. The community surrounding the elementary school in which this researcher plans on doing her research is comprised of lower to middle-class families and serves a student population of 540 students. The make-up of the school is White/non-Hispanic 50%, Hispanic ...