| MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) -- Life could be about to change for
young couch potatoes in Alabama.
The Legislature is considering making physical education mandatory for all grades in
Alabama high schools rather than optional.
The Senate Education Committee approved a bill Wednesday that would require at least
30 minutes of physical education daily for all grades K-12, a move that would have its
biggest impact on high school students.
"That's a huge change," said Sandra Sims, who teaches P.E. at Jemison High School.
She predicted it would help reverse some unhealthy trends in students who spend too much
time in front of their computers and televisions.
Currently, state policy requires 30 minutes of P.E. in grades K-8 but only one unit
for students while they are in grades 9-12. That means students aren't required to take
a P.E. course for three of their final four years in high school. Also, some schools
provide exemptions for students in lower grades.
Some health organizations encouraged the Legislature to mandate more P.E., and they
got a legislator who serves as a youth sports coach, Sen. Rodger Smitherman,
D-Birmingham, to sponsor their bill.
The bill doesn't say how strenuous the exercise or athletics should be during the 30
minutes. But State Health Officer Don Williamson said more physical education is needed
because health surveys show obesity is increasing among Alabama teen-agers and daily
activity is going down. That trend is causing more children to get adult-onset diabetes,
he said.
The legislation originally mandated one hour each day, but that drew opposition from
state Superintendent of Education Ed Richardson, who said most schools have periods
shorter than one hour.
Richardson and Smitherman worked out a compromise for a minimum of 30 minutes, which
was approved by the Senate Education Committee without a dissenting vote. The compromise
also would phase in the P.E. requirement over four years.
The school superintendent said he is still concerned about mandating P.E. every year.
"It will decrease the electives students will be able to take," he said. Some students
taking college preparatory courses also might be forced to drop popular electives like
band to take physical education, he said.
Smitherman's bill still must pass the Senate and House before taking effect, but
Smitherman said he is optimistic.
The legislation would phase in the 30-minute requirement for the ninth grade in
2002-2003, the 10th grade in 2003-2004, the 11th grade in 2004-2005, and the 12th grade
in 2005-2006.
Sen. Jack Biddle, R-Gardendale, said the legislation goes back to his days as a
student, when P.E. was taught in every grade.
"This was my best subject when I was in school," he said.
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