In many situations throughout the United States, physical education is a joke (“In a country full of fat kids, it’s time to take P.E. seriously,” Jan. 21). It’s apparent that the quality of P.E. programs is declining at a time when youth need physical activity the most. Along with the diminished quality in physical education comes diminished quantity. Both youth and adults are living in a society that finds time to sit in front of a computer and play video games. Our country is failing to voluntarily devote time to better themselves physically. Students need to be given the time and opportunity in schools to participate in structured physical activity.

In many cases, if students aren’t given this daily opportunity, they rarely take the time to break a sweat on their own. They are not able to develop the necessary habits that are needed to live a long, healthy life.

Physical education is a school subject that should be evaluated using specific guidelines like other school subjects. Physical education is more than directing students to play tag or kickball. It requires a large knowledge base spanning from motor skill development to pedagogy to exercise psychology. Teachers need to be assessed on their ability to lead a successful, effective and informative class. It is great that coaches want to spend part of their time “teaching” physical education, but it’s important to realize that P.E. is more than competition and sports.

Physical education is an outlet that allows students to socially connect with others, physically improve and strengthen mentally. An instructor who focuses on competition and sports often overlooks the social and mental repercussions. A properly educated P.E. instructor can successfully teach a class that is made up of all skill levels. A properly educated instructor will use skilled students and use the difference in skill to create an effective learning environment.

It all comes down to this: Physical education is essential in the lives in all youth, and properly educated physical educators are the key to creating successful P.E. programs. Physical education is not a subject that can be thrown together with unprepared instructors (even coaches), and it will not succeed if it isn’t a daily part of each child’s life.

Jenny Smith

Senior

Physical Education