HCS HB 509 -- PHYSICAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN SCHOOLS

SPONSOR:  Wallace (Stream)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Elementary
and Secondary Education by a vote of 12 to 1.

By July 1, 2011, this substitute requires all school districts to
have a physical education program that:

(1)  Requires daily participation in physical education for
students in kindergarten through eighth grade at a weekly minimum
duration specified in the substitute, plus a minimum 20-minute
daily recess period for elementary grade students;

(2)  Establishes goals and objectives for physical education
based on a sequential, developmentally appropriate curriculum,
with a minimum of 50% of class time devoted to physical activity,
in addition to other requirements specified in the substitute;

(3)  Provides for regular assessments on physical fitness
proficiency at the local level for attainment of objectives, and
in first through eighth grades through the state's physical
fitness assessment which are to be reported to the Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education in the June reporting cycle
for core data; and

(4)  Provides for health-related fitness testing to be integrated
into the curriculum as an instructional tool.

Exemptions from taking physical education courses that are based
on participation in other activities such as marching band or
athletic teams are not permitted.  Facilities and equipment as
well as teacher requirements are specified.  The physical
education program must be coordinated with other components of
overall school health programs, local wellness policies, and
health education and physical education grade level expectations.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2010, FY 2011, and
FY 2012.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that there is a direct correlation
between physical fitness and academic achievement.  Physical
education can help with readiness to learn.  Having physical
education oriented toward lifetime health can provide benefits in
reduced insurance costs.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Stream; Laura
Beckman; Thomas Loughrey; Craig Ruperb; David Ross, Kansas City
Healthy Kids; Nancy Johnson; Ken Roberts, American Diabetes
Association; Soraya Nouri-Wolverson, American Heart Association;
American Cancer Society; Luana Gifford, American Federation of
Teachers; Maggie Menefee, Healthy Youth Partnership; Ann
Flannery, PE4Life; Partnership for Children; Laura Gundy;
Missouri Council of School Administrators; Missouri Academy of
Family Physicians; and Cooperating School Districts of Greater
Kansas City.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

OTHERS:  Others testifying on the bill say it is part of the
university's extension service's information base.

Testifying on the bill was Donna Mehrle, University of Missouri
Extension.

Missouri House of Representatives
95th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated November 17, 2009 at 9:25 am