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The committee on Health Care Financing, to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by petitions, Senate, No. 334), relative to improve quality physical education, reported, recommending that the same ought to pass, with an amendment substituting a new draft of the same title (Senate, No. 2490). Edward M. Augustus, |
Whereas, Increasing physical activity and encouraging healthy, active lifestyles for elementary, middle, and high school youth will reduce the rate of childhood obesity, improve short-term and long-term health, and reduce the risks of other illnesses related to sedentary lifestyles.
Whereas, The National Association for Sport and Physical Education recommends that students receive at least 150 minutes per week of physical education for each student in elementary school, and 225 minutes per week of physical education for each student in middle school and high school.
Whereas, The General Court recognizes that schools may have difficulty reaching the recommended minimum minutes for physical education established by the National Association for Sport and Physical Education.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of
Representatives in General Court assembled,
SECTION 1. There is hereby established the Massachusetts Physical Education Pilot Program, subject to appropriation, in order to provide matching grants to not less than six public elementary, middle and/or high schools across the commonwealth for the purpose of determining the potential for statewide expansion and enhancement of physical education programs in all public schools.
The department of education shall oversee the administration of this grant, provided, that in awarding pilot grants, participating elementary schools that currently provide less than 60 minutes of physical education be required to provide not less than 120 minutes;
Provided further, that participating elementary schools that currently provide less than 120 minutes of physical education be required to provide not less than 150 minutes.
Provided further, that participating middle and high schools that currently provide less than 60 minutes of physical education be required to provide not less than 120 minutes;
Provided further, that participating middle and high schools that currently provide more than120 minutes will be required to provide not less than 150 minutes, with the goal of reaching not less than 225 minutes in 3 years.
Provided further, that pilot grantees shall not be penalized in any manner if a reasonable attempt has been made to provide the program to each student.
SECTION 2. Each potential pilot school shall be required to provide a proposed plan to the department of education outlining how the school shall meet said requirements over a three year period; provided further, that grant applications shall include the delineation of any unmet funding needs including, but not limited to, additional program and personnel costs deemed necessary in order to conduct requirements of the pilot program. To the extent funds are available, the grant shall provide for such unmet funding needs.
SECTION 3. A Physical Education Advisory Commission will be established to advise the Commissioner of Education on all eligible applicants, and shall work in conjunction with the department of education to review the pilot program.
The commission shall consist of the Commissioner of Education or his designee, the Commissioner of Public Health or his designee, 3 persons to be appointed by the Governor, 1 person to be appointed by the Senate President, 1 person appointed by the Speaker of the House; 1 of whom shall be a representative of the Massachusetts Physical Education, Health, Recreation and Dance Association (MAPHERD), 1 of whom shall be a representative of the American Heart Association, and 1 of whom shall be a representative of the American Diabetes Association.
The department of education shall administer grants for the physical education pilot program and will work with the advisory commission in order to find matching funds from outside sources to support schools financial requests.
The department, working in conjunction with the Physical Education Pilot Advisory Commission shall evaluate the pilot program and report its preliminary findings by July 1, 2009 to the General Court, and shall present a final report to the General Court by July 31, 2011.
