Putting more exercise into phys ed classes and benefiting the students who most need it are the goals of a competency-based PE program outlined at the Greene County board of education’s regular meeting Feb. 12. The Jefferson-Scranton board had previously discussed the possible advantages of such a program and had asked for a proposal.
PE teachers Richard Beeler and Kelly Simpson gave the presentation.
Simpson is new to phys ed class; the majority of his teaching has been biology. He told of overweight students in PE class, and of frustration that the “roll out the ball” style of PE that has been in place for decades did little to help them. “You don’t get much exercise that way,” Simpson said.
He said he and Beeler welcome the concept of competency-based PE. “We look at this as a way to help the individual who really needs it, not so much these kids who are two- or three- or four-sport athletes who are in good shape, but actually get to the core of the issue, and get some help for these other kids,” Simpson said. “It’s about getting to kids who really need exercise.”
The new competency-based PE would allow students to waive the class while participating in a school sport. Advanced strength and conditioning, like weightlifting, could be used to fill PE requirements. Co-ed and same sex classes would be scheduled, and nutrition would be taught as part of the class. Activities away from school, like some classes offered by the Jefferson park and recreation department or PXP training could be done in lieu of PE. Beeler and Simpson hope to keep class size to 12-16 students to allow individual programming.
PE classes would be taught in the former wrestling room on the south side of the building. According to Beeler, students would use their Chromebooks to design personalized workouts that would build strength and improve conditioning, build aerobic capacity, and increase flexibility. The workouts would be done on a circuit using weights, kettlebells, jump ropes, exercise bikes and treadmills. He estimated cost for basic weight equipment to be $3,370. Two treadmills, two spin bikes and two rowing machines would cost another $9,200.
Competency in PE would be demonstrated using the same benchmarks that have been in place since the 1950s and ‘60s. “We looked at a lot of different ways to measure fitness, and they all come back to the same things we had with the Presidential fitness tests,” Simpson said. Students who meet certain standards in sit-ups, push-ups, the shuttle run, sit-and-reach, and a distance (one mile) run would receive PE credit without taking the class. The competency tests would be available prior to the start of a trimester so students could schedule other classes if they passed out of PE.
Simpson said the proposal would have advantages for physically fit students in giving them time in the day to take other classes, and it would allow more personalized instruction and more benefit for students who need to improve their fitness. He said that if the less fit students make progress they are more likely to feel successful and enjoy other physical activity.
Board member Susan Burkett questioned the single approach to fitness. “PE should provide students with various, multiple ways to enjoy movement,” she said. “This is only one way.”
Simpson said that on Wednesdays, when class periods are shorter (due to the 1:45 dismissal for professional development), students would do the more traditional PE activities and games. Also, students would often finish the “workout of the day” in only 25 minutes or so, leaving time at the end of class for other activities. “Students would enjoy all the other activities more if we helped them get to a minimal state of fitness. They’re a lot more likely to go out and stay active,” Simpson said.
The teachers plan to pilot portions of the proposed PE program yet this year. The board took no action on the proposal.
Students are now required to take two trimesters of PE their freshman year, and one trimester their sophomore and junior year. Students can waive PE their senior year. ~www.greenecountynewsonline.com
