HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.C.R. NO.

38

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 
   


HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

requesting the Legislative Reference Bureau to review the physical education programs in Hawaii's public schools to determine what needs to be improved in order to ensure that all children in grades kindergarten through twelve have meaningful physical education programs.

 

 

WHEREAS, according to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, schools and communities should promote physical activity among children and adolescents because many young people already have risk factors for chronic diseases associated with adult morbidity (i.e., sickness) and mortality (i.e., death). For example, the prevalence of overweight is at an all-time high among children and adolescents. In addition, physical activity has a beneficial effect on the physical and mental health of young people; and

WHEREAS, people begin to acquire and establish patterns of health-related behaviors during childhood and adolescence; thus, young people should be encouraged to engage in physical activity. Many children, however, are less physically active than recommended. Physical activity declines during adolescence, and enrollment in daily physical education has decreased; and

WHEREAS, a recent study released by the California Department of Education showed a distinct relationship between academic achievement and physical fitness of California's public school students. According to the study:

(1) Higher achievement was associated with higher levels of fitness at each of the three grade levels (i.e., fifth, seventh, and ninth) measured;

(2) The relationship between academic achievement and fitness was greater in mathematics than in reading, particularly at higher fitness levels;

(3) Students who met minimum fitness levels in three or more physical fitness areas showed the greatest gains in academic achievement at all three grade levels; and

(4) Females demonstrated higher achievement than males, particularly at higher fitness levels;

and

WHEREAS, according to California Superintendent of Public Instruction Delaine Eastin, "This statewide study provides compelling evidence that the physical well-being of students has a direct impact on their ability to achieve academically. We now have the proof we've been looking for: students achieve best when they are physically fit. Thousands of years ago, the Greeks understood the importance of improving spirit, mind, and body. The research presented here validates their philosophic approach with scientific validation."; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2003, the Senate concurring, that the Legislative Reference Bureau is requested to review the physical education programs in Hawaii's public schools to determine what, if anything, needs to be improved in order to ensure that all children in grades kindergarten through twelve have meaningful physical education programs; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education is requested to assist the Legislative Reference Bureau in acquiring data on schools' physical education programs in order to ensure the comprehensiveness of the Bureau's review; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislative Reference Bureau is requested to submit its findings and recommendations to the Legislature not less than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2004; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Education, the Superintendent of Education, and the Director of the Legislative Reference Bureau.

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

Meaningful Physical Education Programs; DOE; LRB Study