Physical education helps students develop the knowledge, attitudes, skills, behaviors, and confidence needed to be physically active for life, while providing an opportunity for students to be active during the school day. Leading professionals in the field of physical education have developed a new kind of physical education that is fundamentally different from the stereotypical roll out the balls and play classes of decades past that featured little meaningful instruction and lots of humiliation for students who were not athletically coordinated. Professional associations, academic experts, and many teachers across the country are promoting and implementing quality physical education programs that emphasize participation in lifelong physical activity among all students. A sound policy on physical education emphasizes that physical education is an essential part of every student s preparation for adult life. The physical education program needs to be consistent with national standards and foster habits of lifelong, enjoyable physical activity.
Physical education is an integral part of the total education of a child.
Physical education needs to be offered every day to adequately address the necessary instructional components and provide opportunities for adequate practice and health-enhancing physical activity. Objective 22.9 Increase the proportion of adolescents who participate in daily school physical education programs. Schools are an efficient vehicle for providing physical activity and fitness instruction because they reach most children and adolescents. Participation in school physical education ensures a minimum amount of physical activity and provides a forum to teach physical activity strategies and activities that can be continued into adulthood. Skills are the tools that many adults use to maintain health and fitness. . .