Legislature(2015 - 2016)BUTROVICH 205
03/31/2016 03:30 PM Senate EDUCATION
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB200 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 200 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SB 200-MANDATORY PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN SCHOOLS
3:32:31 PM
CHAIR DUNLEAVY announced the consideration of SB 200. He said it
was previously heard on March 22.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY announced public testimony.
3:33:22 PM
MARK MILLER, Ph.D., Superintendent, Juneau School District,
testified in opposition to SB 200. He agreed that teaching
students to have a healthy lifestyle has much merit, but he did
not want to see another curriculum mandate for schools. He
provided a visual representing everything the district has "on
its plate" and the lack of time to include them. He stated that
the district's plate is full. He requested that curriculum
decisions be left up to local school districts and not mandated
by the legislature.
He said SB 200 would have major implications at the middle
school level regarding staffing, class sizes, and potential
costs.
3:36:12 PM
SENATOR GARDNER asked how much activity kids get a day in Juneau
elementary and middle schools.
DR. MILLER explained that elementary schools get enough physical
activity in recess and PE; the problem is in middle schools
because they don't have recess and PE is an elective.
SENATOR GARDNER asked about after-school sports.
DR. MILLER related that over 400 students participate in after-
school athletics in elementary and twice that at the middle
school in intramurals.
SENATOR GARDNER asked if intramurals are seasonal and what
percentage of students participate.
DR. MILLER said they are seasonal and about half of the students
participate.
3:38:05 PM
DENALI DANIELS, Owner, DDA, Inc., testified on SB 200. She
related that her company provides policy development support to
state, non-profit, and private sector entities. In 2014 DDA
completed an assessment of Alaska school districts physical
education and recess policies. The report was done on behalf of
the state, however, she said her testimony does not represent
the state, but DDA's experience.
She shared an overview of the project and the history of
wellness policy requirements, which include physical activities.
In 2010 Congress passed the Healthy Hunger-free Kids Act which
led to the CDC adopting school health guidelines, including new
physical activity recommendations. In 2014, DDA was hired by
Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) to determine how
districts were meeting those policies.
She explained how the report was structured. From a survey of
all 54 school districts they collected data about physical
activity. She observed that there is a great deal of diversity
of physical activities across the state. She said SB 200
provides a very broad direction, while still maintaining
flexibility for local decision making and it provides a higher
likelihood of implementation. She concluded that the question is
how can school districts best be incentivized and what is the
state's role in doing so.
3:43:11 PM
MELANIE SUTTON, Curriculum Coordinator - Health & Physical
Education, Anchorage School District (ASD), testified in support
of SB 200, with modifications. She said ASD agrees with the
concept of this legislation, but recommends some modifications
to it. She stressed that physical activity must be an important
part of everyday life. The 2008 physical activity guidelines for
America are very flexible and allow for different types and
amounts of physical activity each week. This legislation moves
Alaska students closer to the nationally recommended 150 minutes
per week of activity at the elementary level. She said the use
of a cumulative model instead of daily minutes would provide for
local control over how the minutes can be spread across the week
and provide flexibility for scheduling.
She said Shape America recommends 150 minutes of PE a week for
elementary and 125 minutes for secondary. It does not separate
the minutes out by day. The ASD requests the consideration of an
amendment that would address total time per week rather than per
day. She provided examples of district flexibility when allowing
for physical activity.
She concluded that the epidemic of obesity created by inactivity
and poor diet has taken a toll on the health and quality of life
of citizens and on health care budgets. Physical activity is
part of the solution and quality physical education provides the
best opportunity to provide all children with physical
experiences.
3:47:01 PM
SENATOR GARDNER asked if the bill were amended as proposed,
would Anchorage support it.
MS. SUTTON said yes.
3:47:30 PM
DOROTHY ORR, representing herself, testified in support of SB
200. She spoke as a long-time physical educator and a member of
SHAPE Alaska. She spoke in support of the intent of SB 200 and
she specifically addressed the issue of time. She gave L.L. Bean
as an example of increased production with the addition of
increased physical breaks. She said Google also encourages
employees to take physical breaks. She discussed the value of
movement and its relationship to the brain. She made suggestions
on ways to create movement in classrooms. She quoted the book
"Smart Move" regarding the importance of movement.
3:51:21 PM
MIAH LAGER, Parent, testified on SB 200. She said she would like
to see financial backing for the bill in order to address
limited funding in schools. She voiced concern about how schools
will carry out this mandate, especially at the middle school
level. She concluded that the intent of the bill is excellent,
but the timing is bad due to financial and time constraints.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY closed public testimony.
3:57:01 PM
SENATOR GIESSEL moved to report SB 200, labeled 29-LS1305\W,
from committee with individual recommendations and attached zero
fiscal note.
SENATOR GARDNER objected to comment. She noted she wanted to
discuss an amendment with the sponsor at a later date.
SENATOR GARDNER removed her objection. There being no further
objections, SB 200 was reported from committee.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB 200 - AASB Policy.pdf |
SEDC 3/31/2016 3:30:00 PM |
SB 200 |
| SB 200 - Alaska School Districts Physical Education and Recess Policy Survey.pdf |
SEDC 3/31/2016 3:30:00 PM |
SB 200 |
| SB 200 - Support Emails.pdf |
SEDC 3/31/2016 3:30:00 PM |
SB 200 |