263104 Roles and strategies of state organizations related to school-based physical education and physical activity policies

Monday, October 29, 2012 : 12:50 PM - 1:10 PM

Angie L. Cradock, ScD , Harvard Prevention Research Center, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA
Jessica L. Barrett, MPH , Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA
Elaine S. Belansky, PhD , Rocky Mountain Prevention Research Center, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, CO
Kelly R. Evenson, PhD , Department of Epidemiology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
Amy A. Eyler, PhD , Prevention Research Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
Jeanette Gustat, PhD , Department of Epidemiology; Prevention Research Center, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA
Katie M. Heinrich, PhD , Department of Kinesiology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
Stephenie C. Lemon, PhD , Division of Preventive and Behavioral Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA
Nancy O'Hara Tompkins, PhD , Prevention Research Center; Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV
Hannah Reed, BS , Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, CO
Susan G. Zieff, PhD , Department of Kinesiology, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA
Background: Physical education (PE) programs can promote lifetime physical activity (PA) behaviors. States can use policy to improve PA levels of students and promote health. The content of state PE/PA policies has been analyzed nationally, but studies of policy implementation, monitoring, and enforcement are lacking. In this study, we describe how states implement, communicate, monitor, enforce, and evaluate key school-based PE/PA policy components. Methods: We conducted key informant interviews with 24 stakeholders from state-level organizations in 9 states, including representatives from departments of health (n=2), education (n=14), state boards of education (n=4), and advocacy/professional organizations (n=4). Students in these 9 states comprised a demographically representative 27% of the U.S. student population. Following standard interview protocols, key informants described their organizations' roles in addressing 14 school-based PE/PA policy components identified by Bridging the Gap and the Physical Education and Recess State Policy Classification System. Results: On average, participating states had 4 of 14 PE/PA policy components (range 2-10). All states had policies requiring PE for every grade level and competency assessment in PE. Respondents more frequently reported a role in implementation and communication of policies versus monitoring, enforcement, and evaluation. Implementation and communication strategies used included training, technical assistance and written communication of policy to local education agency administrators and teachers. Respondents in departments of education reported a role in addressing multiple school-based PE/PA policy components, and sharing responsibilities with other organizations. Conclusion: State-level organizations play varying roles in addressing school-based PE/PA policies. Key themes and promising practices will be discussed.

Learning Areas:
Public health or related public policy

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe key state-level school-based physical education and physical activity policies. 2. Identify the roles of different state agencies and organizations in the implementation, communication, monitoring, enforcement, and evaluation of school-based physical education and physical activity policies. 3. Describe strategies used by state agencies and organizations to address school-based physical education and physical activity policies.

Keywords: Physical Activity, Policy/Policy Development

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been the principal or co-principal of multiple federally and foundation funded grants focusing on physical activity policy research, including evaluating school-based physical activity policy across local, state, and national levels.
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.