NASSP article review

Physical education is a key part of curriculum, and it has been ever since The Every

Student Succeeds Act. The Every Students Succeeds act of 2015 recognised Physical

Education as part of a well rounded education. However, there are many myths or theories as

to why there is still a reduction in physical activity in some states and why it is still almost

frowned upon with its inclusion with the curriculum.

People think that physical exercise is equal and the same as physical education. This

isn’t the case. Physical exercise is getting the body moving whereas physical education is a

subject that encourages children to remain active for the rest of their lifetime. With the

passing of ESSA, Physical Education is no longer based around fitness testing and getting the

child ‘fit’. Its inclusion in the current curriculum is to bring high quality instruction to

students and meet all the criteria for an academic subject. Such as, the recommended periods

of time per week. Teachers of physical education are now fully qualified and must complete

rigorous teacher preparation programmes in order to teach the curriculum. There is also

national standards and grade level outcomes within the subject that help to solidify its

inclusion on the curriculum.

Movement and Physical education is proven to help children combat stress, anxiety,

and depression. This comes after a variety of studies that show physical education is

beneficial for all.

There is a stereotype amongst older people and potentially older teachers that Physical

Education is only included for students just to burn energy. A high-quality Physical education

programme is put into place to help children learn new techniques or skills that promotes

health and physical fitness.

 Physical education is a programme of activities that aims to provide children and

young people with learning experiences that enable them to develop the knowledge,

motivation and ability to lead a physically active life. Whereas physical activity is essentially

any movement that burns energy. I think there is a common stereotype from people in the

older generation that think PE is based around gruelling fitness tests or ‘strongest survive’

sort of classes. This is because of their own previous experience from school. What they

don’t understand now is that the introduction of ESSA has meant that now it is a legitimate

subject that is taught by well qualified teachers and follows a set of national standards and

grade outcomes. I think if we can get this message across to the older generation about how

far Physical education has moved away from what it was previously portrayed as, then it will

become much more respected as part of the curriculum.

Exercising regularly helps to build up resources that bolsters resilience to anxious or

stressful emotions. Your heart rate being increased quite literally helps to take your mind

away from other problems as your brain chemistry is altered. Chemicals are released such as

serotonin which help you to feel better. School can be a stressful place with subjects holding

stressful exams. Therefore, its essential to have the required time during the week to almost

switch off and give other parts of your body some of the workload, it will be really beneficial

for your mental health.

The stereotype from the older generation or general public is that Physical Education

is just for burning energy. This is incorrect and a very outdated opinion in today’s society.

Qualified teachers will often use Physical Education paired with other learning such as

reading or writing because it aids the learning of specific topics. I think people need to further

understand that having a subject that gives you the opportunity to benefit from multiple skills

whilst improving your overall physical health is not just for burning energy.