An Argument Against Removing Physical Education from Schools

In today’s era of education, it has been brought to attention that there are many contemporary issues facing schools and school districts. In today’s world I find it remarkable how easily changes can be made to schools by people whom don’t work in them. With that, I also find it hard to have completed solutions or successful results for the same reason. A nationwide issue has been brought to my attention by its presence locally in my hometown.

This issue is cutting P.E. from schools to provide more time in the classroom is something I just can’t wrap my head around.

The idea that cutting student play time will increase time in the classroom which will in turn increases grades is the motive behind P.E.’s potential extinction. Personally I’m not sure what to think of this idea. Most of the research found points towards a potential link in academic success and physical activity.

Stewart G. Trost and Hans Van Der Mars write of the evidence that proves the controversial issue wrong. “Physically active, fit youth are more likely to have better grades and test scores than their inactive counterparts (Trost & Van Der Mars, 2009)”.

Trost and Van Der Mars continue on after that bold statement presenting national health surveys and studies of over 800,000 students to back up their claim. While they believe that much more research must be done to complete a link between physical activity and academic performance they believe the mission of each school could be improved by giving more opportunities for physical activity (Trost & Van Der Mars, 2009).

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As stated earlier, the opinion presented by the student candidate on the politics and decision-making behind cutting physical education from schools is that unsuccessful results will most likely occur. Trost and Van Der Mars total research concludes that policy makers should have three conclusions in which I support the main idea behind all three. They believe policy makers should stop justifying cuts in P.E. programs with academic success, The argument of P.E. being essential should never have to be argued, and that administrators should aggressively make room for this area of education (Trost & Van Der Mars, 2009). The student candidate’s reaction based on these ideas is positive and believes that this should be the general base for all area/nationwide schools.

I would be able to support cuts in our nations schools, if other nations provided evidence that their scores and grades are higher than ours due to the lack in P.E. In doing research into this area, it was found that Polish schools have heavily overhauled physical education in 2009 (Edginton, 2011). Students were given forty-five minute physical education class twice a week, with the choice of two other physical classes to choose from as well (Edginton, 2011). These changes came under their belief that

“Physical education programs in the 21st Century can inspire, motivate and prepare learners to live in an ever changing world, increasingly marked by the epi- demic of obesity and overweight. Globalisation, explo- sion of knowledge and changing demographics have an increasingly significant impact on the knowledge, skills and dispositions required to live, work and play in the 21st Century (Edginton, 2011).”

This statement leaves the reaction of the student candidate taken back. If the school system would add something such as a physical education program for the fact that not only are we living in times where the “epi-demic” of obesity reigns but to prepare learners to live in an ever changing world, I think that mind set would give our country many more active college grads. This mind set could spawn the creators, thinkers and do-ers of our generation. This is an area where our country may need to make improvements on.

In an article produced by Brian Culp, he states his research said that 10/13 surveyed teachers said that Physical Education helps teach lifelong lessons (Culp, 2011). His article was produced for the purpose of finding how physical education affects “urban” settings. I know there are many level of social and economic wealth in our local area. Schools should fight for physical education knowing that not all students come from perfect households. The life lessons that can be provided through health, sport and lifestyle education are essential (Culp, 2011).

In conclusion, I feel that the cutting of physical education is outrageous. Whether it is for budget cuts or academic success, political leaders should fight for this cause rather than support it. In reaction to this attempt to cut activity and learning from schools I am rather disgusted. Positive outlooks from other areas that support this form of child education give the teacher candidate hope for the future of these programs.