Texas Senate Bill would require PE throughout middle school

by Vince Leibowitz of of Capitol Annex

A bill filed Tuesday by State Sen. Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound) would require physical education (or 30 minutes daily of moderate or vigorous daily physical activity) for students in grades six, seven and eight.

The bill, SB 890, was one of three filed by Nelson today relating to physical activity requirements for Texas schoolchildren.

On filing of the bills, Nelson noted:

“Far too many of our youth are leading super-sized, sedentary lifestyles which put their lives in danger. Unless we take action, an entire generation of Texans will live shorter lives than their parents.”

Under current law, the 30-minute per day equivalent of physical activity is required in only four of six semesters for students in grades six, seven, and eight. SB 890 expands that requirement to include all eight semesters of the middle school years.

A second bill filed by Nelson, SB 891, crafts a definition for physical education in the Texas Education Code where none currently exists, requiring that PE curriculum be:

"sequential, developmentally appropriate, and designed, implemented, and evaluated to enable students to develop the motor, self-management, and other skills, knowledge, attitudes, and confidence necessary to participate in physical activity throughout life."

The bill also gives the State Board of Education is also given the oversight to ensure that the curriculum conforms to certain standards.

Another bill, SB 892 by Nelson, directs schools to report on the progress of their coordinated school health programs to local school boards via Campus Improvement Plans.

Of the bills filed by Nelson today, SB 890 will likely generate the most controversy. Because of the added academic curriculum requirements facing middle school students in recent years–as well as standardized testing–and other extracurricular activities all competing for instructional time within the school day, many public school educators and administrators could oppose the requirement of an additional two semesters of physical education.

Nelson previously filed two other bills relating to student health: SB 282 establishes nutrition and nutrition education grants for schools, pre-kindergarten and community or faith-based youth organizations and SB 283 which clarifies the role school health advisory councils should play in school health policy.