Neoliberalism’s Effect on ‘Play’ in Schools:

Examining Neoliberalism, P.E., Recess, & Outdoor Education

Cameron Potter, EDCS Doctoral Student, Advisor: Dr. Fran Huckaby, Texas Christian University

Testing, Standards & FITKids Executive Control & Brain Function Trial Neoliberalist Influences
Consequences (Hillman,2014) How is ’Play’ at schools connected to
Neoliberalism? Neoliberalism has
While testing and learning-objective consequences for how we view the
standards can be beneficial, it seems promotion and maintenance of good
there are often unintended consequences health:
that come along with them. In many • Hayes (2006) argues that a cultural
cases, “teaching to the test” becomes neoliberalism has taken root as a form
the focus of the classroom rather than of “market-oriented” self-centeredness.
interactive, engaging learning. As a result outdoor education’s focus on
• Carrier, Tugurian, & Thomson (2013) development of self, connection to
found that, while student science others, and connection to the
knowledge improved dramatically in all environment has been deprioritized in
4 science learning objectives as a schools.
result of outdoor-based science lessons • Neoliberalist agendas are reflected
– teachers felt constrained by heavy through public (personal) health
content demands, limited time. Teachers campaigns and policy. “Play 60” is a
and students both had little desire to ‘health’ campaign by the National Dairy
teach/learn any content that wouldn’t Council, NFL, and Dept. of Agriculture.
be on the test. Indeed, teachers and (www.fuleuptoplay60.com)
students ”seemed to be aware of what • Kaiser Permanente’s theme is “Thrive”,
was lacking…but had little motivation which advocates an active lifestyle in
to change practice”, as they had order to keep healthcare costs & doctor
received validation that their current visits at a minimum – thereby protecting
practice resulted in “doing better on their bottom line.
the tests”.
• Testing has also found its way into
P.E. courses across grade levels. These
‘tests’ will often have a less official
feel to them, when compared with the
Hillman Study Research Methods Executive Function References
STAAR or ACT; regardless, they are • 221 eight & nine year olds were randomly • Hillman (2014), Knight (2015), Best • Hillman, C. H., Pontifex, M. B., Castelli, D. M., Khan, N.
A., Raine, L. B., Scudder, M. R., Drollette, E. S., ...
standardized metrics that are used to assigned to either the intervention group,
(2010), and many others (see reference Kamijo, K. (October 01, 2014). Effects of the FITKids
compare and score student fitness or the wait-list group. Randomized Controlled Trial on Executive Control and Brain
list) agree that physical activity is Function. Pediatrics, 134, 4.)
levels. These tests include BMI • Intervention: 2 hr. physical activity 5
beneficial in the development of • Knight, N. A., Mahar, M. T., & East Carolina University.
measurement, Presidential Fitness Award days/ week for 9 months with 70+ mins. of (2015). Effects of a before school physical activity program
Executive Function (EF) in children.
(which requires students to score in moderate to vigorous physical activity. on physical activity, musculoskeletal fitness, and cognitive
EF is defined as, “…the cognitive function.
the 85th percentile when compared to • Response accuracy & reaction time were • Best, J. R. (2010). Effects of Physical Activity on
processes responsible for organizing
their peers), & FITNESSGRAM, a company collected to assess attentional inhibition Children’s Executive Function: Contributions of Experimental
and controlling goal-directed behavior” Research on Aerobic Exercise. Developmental Review :
that advocates fitness tests for state- and cognitive flexibility tasks DR, 30(4), 331–551.
(Banich, 2009). EF consists of three
wide implementation programs. Complete • Flanker Task: children view an array of • Banich, M. T. (April 01, 2009). Executive Function: The
foundational components: inhibition, Search for an Integrated Account. Current Directions in
with individualized, educational fish to determine if the middle fish Psychological Science, 18, 2, 89-94.
matches the rest of the array or not. The updating of working memory, and
reports for both students and parents. Diamond, A. (2006). The early development of executive
goal is to do this as quickly and shifting (Diamond, 2006). EF functions. In E. Bialystok & F. I Craik (Eds.), Lifespan
(www.fitnessgram.net) cognition: Mechanisms of change (pp. 70-95). Oxford: Oxford
accurately as possible. (specifically self-regulation – University Press.
• As a result – unstructured play (read:
• Switch Task: children are presented with following directions & controlling • Hales, R. (2006) The rise of individualism. The implications
Recess), like FITKids received – has attention) has been more closely linked for promoting relations between self, others and the
all but disappeared from the school different shapes and colors, and asked to environment in outdoor education. Australian Journal of
make decisions around both shape and to success in kindergarten than Outdoor Education, 20 (2), 53-61.
day. FWISD Kindergarten students
color. acquisition of academic skills (Best, • Carrier, S. J., Tugurian, L. P., & Thomson, M. M. (October
receive 15 mins/day 01, 2013). Elementary Science Indoors and Out: Teachers,
2010). Time, and Testing. Research in Science Education,43, 5,
2059-2083.

PowerPoint Template ©2009 Texas Christian University, Center for Instructional Services. For Educational Use Only. Content is the property of the presenter and their resources.