Online Program

289833
Evaluating the implementation and impact of improving the quality physical education in Denver public schools


Tuesday, November 5, 2013 : 9:30 a.m. - 9:50 a.m.

Jennifer Wieczorek, MPH, Health Promotion Division, Denver Public Health, Denver, CO
Theresa Mickiewicz, Public Health Informatics, Denver Public Health, Denver, CO
Eric Larson, Physical Education Department, Denver Public Schools, Denver, CO
Catherine Hartman, Physical Education Department, Denver Public Schools, Denver, CO
Debbi Main, PhD, College of Letters and Science, Health & Behavioral Sciences, Denver, CO
Arthur Davidson, MD, Public Health Informatics, Denver Public Health, Denver, CO
INTRODUCTION: In April 2011, Colorado passed a law requiring all public elementary schools to provide a minimum of 30 minutes of physical activity per school day. Denver Public Schools (DPS), a leader and early adopter in improving the quality of physical education (PE) in its schools, has instituted a series of teacher trainings to improve the quality of PE, targeting a total of 90 pre K-12 schools and 55,738 students. Through Denver's Community Transformation Grant (CTG), we are evaluating the implementation and impact of this policy on physical activity and obesity in DPS students. METHODS: Designed as a modified time series design, with multiple measures over the course of CTG, we are measuring (1) change in the quality of PE using data from the System for Observing Fitness Instruction Time (SOFIT) and (2) changes in student health using BMI data and self-reported physical activity. RESULTS: Although only in year 2 of a multi-year evaluation, we will present findings to date on the implementation of the PE policy and baseline measures of physical activity and obesity of DPS students. DISCUSSION: Implementation of policy to increase moderate to vigorous physical activity in schools can play an important role in obesity prevention.

Learning Areas:

Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice

Learning Objectives:
Describe changes in policy implementation and health impacts on student physical activity and obesity.

Keyword(s): Obesity, School Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been the program manager of multiple grants funded by national foundations, the state of Colorado, and the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention focusing on chronic disease prevention. Among my areas of interest has been the development of strategies for preventing obesity in underserved populations.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.