Increasing Physical Education and Physical Activity Time in School: Strategies that Worked

Abstract

Abstract Students at a K-8 magnet school drastically lacked opportunities for physical activity throughout their school day. The authors (physical education teacher and graduate advisors) describe how the physical education teacher advocated and made positive change in her school. The physical education teacher conducted a physical activity needs assessment focusing on existing programs within the school and the assessment results revealed that only one-fourth of all K–8 students were currently scheduled for either a physical activity or physical education option each quarter. The physical education teacher shared results with the school principal and received immediate support to increase PE and PA options. Upon conducting a document review of a school-wide program called Fridays in Freemont (FIF; name changed for anonymity), and using the Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program model as a guide, the physical education teacher was able to create the following changes: (1) amend the master schedule to allow for all K-3 students to participate in physical education twice a week, (2) create a userfriendly guide for school staff to use to increase PA opportunities for grades four through eight during FIF, and (3) make progress implementing a quarterly program called Families in Freemont to include families and students in PA events, in order to support the healthy futures of students on a broader scale.