Building the case for physical education to promote equity, academic and physical fitness

Quality physical education (PE) in school is one strategy to address the growing childhood obesity epidemic; however, No Child Left Behind and persistent budget cuts have resulted in most schools focusing on academics and testing. Research clearly demonstrates the link between physically fit students and their academic performance; although California mandates PE for public schools; the California Department of Education (CDE) reports a consistent lack of compliance throughout the state. This presentation will explore the strategies the Shape Up SF PE Advocates have implemented since its inception in 2010 to increase the quality and quantity of PE in San Francisco schools. Building on a UCSF conducted study on the status of PE in the San Francisco Unified School District, the presentation will highlight how the PE Advocates have utilized those data to successfully build a case for how PE and physical activity in the classroom can contribute to closing the achievement gap. Within two years, the PE Advocates to document specific and significant changes the school district has implemented as a result of their advocacy efforts.