HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1436

TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to education.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


SECTION 1.  Currently, Hawaii does not require physical education or health education in intermediate or middle school.  Physical education programs are critical to providing students with the skills necessary to achieve and maintain life-long physical fitness.  In 2013, the Institute of Medicine identified daily school physical education for all students as a strategy to prevent obesity across the nation.  Research suggests that schools that provide time for high-quality physical education generate a positive effect on academic achievement, even when physical education is part of the regular school day.  Some of the benefits include increased concentration; improved scores in mathematics, reading, and writing; and a reduction in disruptive behaviors.

The National Physical Education Standards recommend 225 minutes per week of high-quality physical education for intermediate or middle school students.  According to the Hawaii youth risk behavioral survey, physical activity among students drops drastically during middle school, with only 40.8 per cent of boys and 23.4 per cent of girls meeting physical-activity recommendations.  These gender disparities in physical activity continue in high school, with only 30.6 per cent of boys and 13.6 per cent of girls meeting physical-activity recommendations.  Furthermore, physical education in middle school will provide students with the knowledge, attitudes, motor skills, behavioral skills, and confidence necessary to adopt and maintain a physically active lifestyle throughout their lives.

In addition, middle school is the ideal place to provide health education to students before they engage in unhealthy and risky behaviors.  Rapid physical and emotional changes make early adolescence a crucial period for young people to develop healthy habits.  Many adolescents begin experimenting with sex, tobacco, alcohol, and other harmful drugs, all of which pose serious threats to their personal health and well-being.  Requiring health education in middle school will teach students about physical, mental, emotional, and social health and motivate students to improve and maintain their own health, prevent disease, and reduce risky behaviors.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§302A-    Physical and health education requirements.  All students in grades six, seven, and eight shall be required to take courses in physical education and health education."

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 


 


 

Report Title:

Physical Education and Health Education

 

Description:

Requires all public school students to take courses in physical education and health education in grades six, seven, and eight.

 

 

 

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