SB 200-MANDATORY PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN SCHOOLS  3:30:47 PM CHAIR DUNLEAVY announced the consideration of SB 200. He said there was a zero fiscal note. He noted the arrival of Senator Gardner. 3:31:12 PM SENATOR MIA COSTELLO, Alaska State Legislature, sponsor of SB 200, introduced the bill. She stated that SB 200 provides a minimum standard to ensure physical activity is a part of students' day. The benefits of increased physical activity improves students' mental health, helps fight obesity, improves academic performance, and helps students learn from their peers inside and outside of the classroom. She said the bill will help address issues that she has seen as a parent, a teacher, and policy maker. She highlighted two facts that illustrate the importance of physical activity for youth. Obesity costs Alaska $459 million annually in direct medical health care costs. This figure is expected to increase in years to come. In the Anchorage School District, 36 percent of K - 12 students were overweight or obese in the 2010 - 2011 school year. She shared a recent example on Facebook from an elementary school in Fort Worth, Texas, where the school implemented four fifteen-minute recess breaks for kindergarten and first grade students in an effort to increase student focus and improve learning. The results were that kids' learning improved and they were better able to focus and pay attention without fidgeting in class. Teachers were originally concerned about the loss of instructional time, but they have reported improvements in the students' behavior while in the classroom. Students are paying more attention in class, following directions better, learning more independently, solving problems on their own, and there are fewer discipline problems. Kids are learning more enthusiastically and efficiently while they are in the classroom. This fifteen minutes of re-boot enables them to function at their best level while they are in class. She said the program has been going on for more than seven months. SENATOR COSTELLO concluded with a quote by the PTA president who said, "Sometimes I think that we look at a number, versus a whole child." 3:33:49 PM SORCHA HAZELTON, Intern, Senator Mia Costello, Alaska State Legislature, presented information related to SB 200. She read: SB 200 will help ensure Alaskan kids are physically active & mentally healthy. The bill will set a balance of structured & unstructured time during the school day. This bill would amend state law to ensure school districts provide students with a daily minimum physical activity for students in kindergarten through th 8 grade. The amount of time is based on the US Center for Disease Control & Prevention recommendation, currently 60 minutes for children and adolescents. This bill calls for 90% of that 60 minutes, or 54 minutes, to be provided by Alaska school districts for each full school day. SB 200 allows for this standard to be filled by unstructured time, like recess, physical education classes, or even in-class exercises. This allows school districts to decide what best fits their schools: increasing time spent in PE classes, reintroducing or lengthening recess, etc. Background According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, school constitutes nearly half of students' wakeful hours. As standards and expectations have increased over the years, children are spending more hours per day, and days per year in school. (Psychology Today - Decline of Play & Rise in Children's Mental Disorders) This increase in standards has resulted in national declines in recess and physical education time in the school day. As of 2012, only 5 states require daily recess for elementary students (Policy Strategies for Supporting Recess in Elementary Schools) This bill would encourage the physical health section of students' schooling, supporting physical fitness habits and interests that keep Alaska's kids active and healthy into their adulthood. State of Alaska (Alaska School Districts Physical Education & Recess Policy Survey, March 2014, Denali L Daniels & Associates, funded by DH&SS) The State of Alaska is one of 7 states that does not lay out in statute that elementary school students must participate in physical education classes (7). Alaska also does not have a policy requiring or recommending recess or physical activity breaks at any grade level (14). Only a little more than half (53%) of Alaska school districts have a written policy for elementary and middle school recess. A third of school district elementary school policies don't meet the CDC's daily recommended amount in a week. Physical activity, whether via unstructured time or through physical education classes, have a number of benefits for students. The major benefits are combating childhood obesity, improving academic performance, and fighting the rise in youth mental disorders. In addition, increased physical activity allows students to engage with each other and learn from their peers outside of the classroom. Obesity Childhood obesity is an issue in the United States, and in the state of Alaska. Among Alaskan high school students, 26% are overweight or obese (ADN, Alaska Obesity Prevention & Control Program) 40% of Alaskan 3 years-old are either overweight or obese, according to the 2014 Alaska Obesity Facts Report produced for a number of State departments, including Public Health, Health & Social Services, & Obesity Prevention & Control Program. SB 200 aims to decrease these percentages with simple activity. Academic Performance Nationally, Recess and PE have been cut down or removed from the academic schedule, understandably, for the sake of instructional time. But exercise and breaks from school work, provided for in Senate Bill 200, have been proven to increase retention of information and focus. Adults have the ability to step away from their desks, grab coffee, chat with coworkers, and a take a break from the concentration their jobs require. Students in school don't have this option. The American Academy of Pediatrics found kids' brains process information best if given a period of interruption after instruction. This is best served through unstructured breaks, rather than shifting from one subject to the next. SB 200 gives students this time to recharge for the lessons ahead and allow information to sink in. In a number of schools in California that engaged in physical activity programs, teachers reclaimed up to 40 instructional hours a year because kids returned to the classroom focused and ready to learn (Scholastic - Recess Makes Kids Smarter) Mental Disorders/Psychology In addition to the physical and scholastic benefits of increased physical activity, unstructured time has a mental benefit for students as well. Play helps children (a) develop intrinsic interests and competencies; (b) learn how to make decisions, solve problems, exert self-control, and follow rules; (c) learn to regulate their emotions; (d) make friends and learn to get along with others. All of which promote mental health (American Journal of Play - Decline in Play & Rise in Psychopathy) Education outside classroom Students learn from each other as well, which most often is found during unstructured time, when students freely engage with each other. Recess offers a time to engage in peer interactions, unguided by teachers, in which they learn essential social skills: communication, negotiation, cooperation, sharing, problem solving, coping, perseverance, self-control. All of these skills are foundations for healthy development. (American Academy of Pediatrics) One of the key values of recess is for children to find things out on their own, without too much direction (Christian Science Monitor - All Work, No Play at School) There are a number of case studies of classrooms and schools who have experienced firsthand the benefits of increased physical activity during the school day. Senator Costello mentioned Eagle Mountain Elementary in Fort Worth, Texas. Case Studies nd In a study reported by the CDC, 2 graders exhibit greater concentration and demonstrated higher math fluency after engaging in 5 minute movement breaks; teachers observed higher student concentration levels after daily stretching exercises. Other industrialized countries such as China, Taiwan, and Japan are often highlighted as examples where students spend long hours in school and perform well academically. Nearly ΒΌ of the school day in these countries is made up of frequent recesses, long lunch periods, and afterschool activities (Early Childhood News - Recess & Social Development) A 2014 study at University of Colorado - Boulder and University of Denver found 6-year-olds with more unstructured time showed signs of stronger executive functioning and decision making skills. These skills support strong social relationships and are linked to academic success throughout a student's career. (Education Week - Withholding Recess as Discipline in Decline) Conclusion This bill will ensure Alaskan students have an active component of their school day and a more active lifestyle. This provides them with time to learn from their peers outside the classroom and discover new interests. SB 200 originated from research performed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Center for Disease Control & Prevention, The American Journal of Play, and Scholastic, among many others. This research has shown that the national trend of recess and PE removal has not been helpful to students; that PE and unstructured play benefit kids in so many ways and make our students better, healthier, and happier. This bill sets up this time as a daily part of students' schedule. She offered to provide the research to the committee. 3:41:11 PM SENATOR STEVENS voiced appreciation for the article on Alaska School Districts Physical Education & Recess Policy Survey. He asked why some of the recommendations included in that article are not included in the bill. He questioned why only K - 8 were included in the bill when it should be K - 12, and why only 54 minutes when the recommendation is 150 minutes for elementary and 225 minutes for both middle school and high school. He said he liked that the report includes "no waivers or exemptions." 3:42:20 PM SENATOR COGHILL responded that there are a number of ways to approach this subject. She said they took a percentage of the Center for Disease Control's recommendation for daily physical activity. She pointed out that there are several Title I schools in her district whose students often aren't physically active at home. She said she is open to other approaches. She concluded that she has been thinking about this bill for many years because it is in students' best interest to be active. SENATOR STEVENS appreciated the explanation, but thought high schools should be included. 3:43:57 PM SENATOR GIESSEL said, as a health care provider, she totally endorses this concept. She said she served on the Municipality of Anchorage's Health and Human Services Commission for five years. During that time, physical education was a subject the commission spent a lot of time on. She shared a story about education students from UAA who went to a Title I elementary school and began a structured recess program. The administration tracked behavioral issues which declined as a result of the structured recess. She advocated for structured recess, not just recess. She related that she also volunteers at a middle school health clinic and witnessed unstructured recess where kids just stood around. She emphasized the need for structured recess. 3:45:57 PM SENATOR GARDNER said she loves the bill and wrote a letter to her constituents about it and received positive responses. She did not realize that there was no state policy for recess. She asked if Senator Costello has talked to school districts about the bill and she inquired what the response has been to it. SENATOR COSTELLO replied that she is aware of the university study regarding structured recess Senator Giessel referred to. She said she visited one of the schools and visited with the principal who reported fewer discipline problems when the students had active recess. She appreciated the suggestion to have structured recess. In response to Senator Gardner, she reported that she has spoken with Superintendent Ed Graff who said he has thought of restructuring recess so children have choices of activities. She suggested amending the bill to encourage districts to consider active physical activity at recess or even in the classroom. She said she hears from parents who believe their kids would not get into trouble if there was a way for them to be more active. She shared an experience in her son's classroom where students sit on medicine balls instead of chairs. She concluded that policymakers want healthy kids who are achieving in school and taking advantage of the expertise of the teacher. 3:48:42 PM SENATOR GARDNER recalled her own recess activities and students' ability to check out equipment. She asked if schools still provide that opportunity. SENATOR DUNLEAVY said recess started to die with NCLB in January of 2001 and due to the emphasis on testing. He said some schools outlaw homework so students can be active after school. Also, social media devices have contributed to lack of recess activity. He predicted there might be feedback from schools regarding how to incorporate the bill's requirements and how to fund them. He agreed physical activity in schools was neglected and causing health concerns. 3:51:42 PM SENATOR GIESSEL said more kids are being diagnosed with ADD and medicated. She maintained that more physical activity would lessen chemical dependency among children. SENATOR STEVENS discussed structured and unstructured recess, noting value in both. 3:52:34 PM CHAIR DUNLEAVY opened public testimony. 3:52:50 PM HARLOW ROBINSON, Executive Director, Healthy Futures, testified in support of SB 200. He commended the sponsor for introducing the bill. He reported on the positive impact in schools that incorporate physical activity. All evidence-based research shows that physically active students perform better. There would be tremendous benefits from implementation of SB 200, including decreased health care costs. He concluded that the bill makes good business sense. MR. ROBINSON commented on the UAA study mentioned by Senator Giessel. He opined that unstructured play is critical. He said the study was in a Title I school with social considerations. It was probably more important in that setting to have structure. 3:57:43 PM SENATOR STEVENS asked if high schools should be excluded in the bill. MR. ROBINSON thought high school students should be included, but K - 6 would be the most important time to encourage active play. 3:59:08 PM NORM WOOTEN, Executive Director, Association of Alaska School Boards, testified in opposition to SB 200. He supported the intent of the bill, but considered it to be another requirement of school districts and a mandate on time that would be taken away from instructional time. The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) was about providing more flexibility to local school districts and he opined that this is a local control issue. 4:00:57 PM SENATOR GARDNER understood that teachers want to keep their instructional time, but they also need a few minutes where they are not in charge of students. She asked if that could also be a benefit from the bill. MR. WOOTEN agreed that teachers are stressed, but they also value academic time. He said it is a dilemma that he does not have the answer to. SENATOR GARDNER said there is a trade off if kids learn better and need less disciplining after running around. MR. WOOTEN agreed. 4:02:15 PM SENATOR STEVENS said he believes in local control, but does not recall ever talking about physical education while on the school board. He did believe that the school board should be involved in the discussion and that there is merit to the idea. MR. WOOTEN said his organization will look at a policy concerning physical education. 4:03:43 PM At ease 4:04:44 PM WILFRIED ZIBELL, representing himself, testified in support of SB 200. He said he supports the K - 8 aspect of the bill, but would not want it to be mandatory for K - 12 because it would put undue stress on already hard-working students. He related that he has been taking college courses and would not have time for a mandated PE class. He suggested considering extra- curricular activities, such as cross country, as physical activity. SENATOR STEVENS said the study does include extra-curricular sports. 4:06:47 PM ALEC BURNS, representing himself, Mat-Su Career and Technical High School, testified in opposition to SB 200. He said he supports the intent of the bill, but is concerned about the 54 minute concept per school day in the bill due to varied middle school schedules. He also was concerned with the 90 percent compliance requirement. He suggested lowering the number. He concurred that the ESSA was designed to give school districts more flexibility and he encouraged the committee to allow school districts flexibility regarding the issue. CHAIR DUNLEAVY asked if they were with the Alaska State School Board. MR. BURNS said yes. SENATOR GARDNER asked how their PE was handled in elementary. MR. BURNS recalled that PE was scheduled throughout the year in units. SENATOR GARDNER asked if there was unstructured recess. MR. BURNS said he saw changes in recess due to media devices. In elementary school most kids played during recess. CHAIR DUNLEAVY asked about recess in Noorvik. 4:10:37 PM MR. ZIBELL explained recess varied based on the teacher, but was both structured gym time and unstructured physical activity and social skill building on the playground. CHAIR DUNLEAVY said small schools engage more kids in sports. MR. ZIBELL said there were outdoor temperature restrictions for recess. 4:12:04 PM CHAIR DUNLEAVY noted the arrival of Senator Huggins. 4:12:55 PM TIFFANY JACKSON, Member, Aleutians East Borough School District School Board, testified in opposition to SB 200. She said there should be some responsibility on the parents to make sure their kids get physical activity. She voiced concern about local control issues and the press for time to get all subjects covered. She said the district has a requirement for kids to go out to recess outside or in the gym. 4:14:39 PM SENATOR GARDNER asked if there is a recess and a play time after lunch. MS. JACKSON said yes. There's 15 minutes of play time after lunch. SENATOR GARDNER asked how long recess lasts. MS. JACKSON was not sure, but thought it was 15 minutes. 4:15:11 PM SENATOR STEVENS referenced the study and listed which districts had policies regarding physical activity. It ended up being about half. He asked if all districts should have policies. MS. JACKSON said she saw it as part of the school board's role to set policy concerning physical education. SENATOR STEVENS thought all districts should be required to have a physical education policy. MS. JACKSON agreed. CHAIR DUNLEAVY recognized Representative Reinbold and Chugach School Board Member, Charlene Arneson. CHAIR DUNLEAVY held SB 200 in committee.