HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.C.R. NO.

137

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2004

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 
   


HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION and board of education TO MAKE PHYSICAL EDUCATION MANDATORY IN ALL GRADE LEVELS AND INTEGRATE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY INTO THE CLASSES OF ALL SUBJECT MATTER.

 

WHEREAS, physical activity is essential to the holistic development of children and youth; and

WHEREAS, obesity is a serious problem among the children and youth of the State of Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, regular physical activity that enhances health has been linked in numerous studies with enhanced academic achievement; and

WHEREAS, physical education also fosters respect for positive values such as team work and fair play; and

WHEREAS, initiating these habits early in life greatly increases the likelihood that they will be sustained throughout life, enhancing one's quality of life well into maturity; and

WHEREAS, as the public university of the State of Hawaii, the University of Hawaii is in a unique position to enhance these laudable goals; and

WHEREAS, preferably, physical education programs in elementary schools should be taught by a qualified physical education teacher; and

WHEREAS, if a qualified physical education teacher is not available, generalist teachers should have some background to begin, regularly implement a program for their own class, and receive support from systematically provided professional development opportunities to continue their development in this area; and

WHEREAS, foundational information relative to appropriate content and pedagogy for elementary age students is essential for a quality, developmental elementary physical education program that is guided by the Hawaii content and performance standards; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-Second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2004, the Senate concurring, that the Department of Education and Board of Education are requested to:

(1) Make physical education mandatory for all grade levels; and

(2) Integrate physical activity into the classes of every subject matter; and

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

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

DOE; Physical Education/Activity