SENATE BILL REPORT
SHB 1235
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
As Reported by Senate Committee On:
Early Learning & K-12 Education, March 21, 2017
Title: An act relating to assessing physical education practices in public schools.
Brief Description: Assessing physical education practices in public schools.
Sponsors: House Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Riccelli, Harris, Stonier, Bergquist, Caldier, Robinson, Nealey, Stokesbary, Jinkins, McBride, Goodman, Ryu, Frame, Gregerson, Dolan and Ormsby).
Brief History: Passed House: 2/28/17, 87-11.
Committee Activity: Early Learning & K-12 Education: 3/13/17, 3/21/17 [DP].
Brief Summary of Bill |
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SENATE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION |
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Zeiger, Chair; Fain, Vice Chair; Rolfes, Ranking Minority Member; Billig, Mullet and Warnick.
Staff: Susan Mielke (786-7422)
Background: Physical Education. Current law requires that public school students in grades one through eight must receive PE instruction as prescribed by the rules of the SPI. The rules also establish the PE requirements that high schools must provide.
The SPI's rules specify that students in grades one through eight must receive an average of at least 100 minutes per week, per year. The rules also require high schools to offer a one-credit PE course in each grade nine through twelve. Under the rules of the State Board of Education (SBE), high school students must earn 1.5 PE credits to graduate.
Under current law, students may be excused from PE instruction and the graduation requirement based on physical disability, religious belief, employment, or participation in directed athletics or military science and tactics, or for other good cause. Under the SBE rules, students excused from the graduation requirement must be required to demonstrate proficiency in the knowledge portion of the fitness requirement, in accordance with written school district policy.
Wellness Advisory Committees. In 2007, the Legislature established nutritional health and physical activities goals for school districts to achieve by 2010. One of the goals was for all K-12 school districts to have health advisory committees that advise school administration and school board members on policies and programs needed to support healthy food choice, physical activity, and childhood fitness. The SPI's School Wellness Policy Best Practices includes that it is important to create a diverse advisory group of school, health, and community representatives who act collectively to advise the school district on aspects of child health.
K-12 Data Governance. In 2009, the Legislature established the K-12 data governance group within SPI to assist in the design and implementation of a K-12 data system for financial, student, and educator data. The K-12 data governance group includes representatives of school district staff, state-level education and data agencies, and organizations that use K-12 data.
Summary of Bill: Physical Education. Beginning in the 2018-19 school year, school districts must conduct an annual review of their PE programs. The annual review must include information about the curriculum and amount of PE instruction provided, the number of students completing a class or granted waivers, whether the district excludes students for disciplinary reasons, instructor endorsements, class sizes, and the space to support PE activity.
Wellness Advisory Committees. School districts must submit the results of the annual review to the district's wellness committee and the SPI. The SPI must post summarized information organized by school district on the SPI's website.
K-12 Data Governance. The K-12 data governance group must develop data protocols and guidance for the collection of the PE data by school districts.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: We are facing a diabetes and obesity epidemic. These are critical health concerns for our next generation. Better PE programs that include physical activity, and information about a better diet and nutritional habits can improve our students' health. There is wide variation across the districts as to what happens in PE classes. Some students are not getting the physical part of the education in a PE class. The Legislature needs to learn what is happening in our K-12 PE programs so this bill requires data gathering. The data gathering should not be onerous on school districts. The data will show whether certificated PE teachers are teaching PE classes and if the activities are developmentally appropriate. It is not adequate to use a general education teacher to teach a PE class. This review will also help OSPI identify more targeted technical assistance to school districts and training for our PE educators.
OTHER: Taking action to promote the physical fitness of today's youth is good for them and good for our country. Obesity and medical problems associated with obesity is the largest medical reason for disqualifying youth from serving in the military.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Marcus Riccelli, Prime Sponsor; Vic Colman, Childhood Obesity Prevention Coalition; Susan Sellers; Dr. Ken Turner, Program Supervisor for Health and Physical Education, OSPI; Dr. Matt Park, American Heart Association. OTHER: Lieutenant Colonel Doug Palmer, Commander, Recruiting and Retention Battalion Commander.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.