The sad state of PE in MCPS

[Anonymous]

https://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/25/opinion/exercise-and-academic-performance.html?_r=0

Students who exercise have lower body fat, greater muscular strength, and better cardiovascular and mental health. While admitting that the studies are limited, a panel of experts assembled by the institute says that “a growing body of evidence” suggests children who are more active are better able to focus their attention, are quicker to perform simple tasks, and have better working memories and problem solving skills than less-active children. They also perform better on standardized academic tests.

Academic performance is influenced by factors like parental involvement and socioeconomic status, but the panel reported that active children tended to have stronger performance, especially in reading and mathematics. It believes that the benefits of exercise during the school day outweigh the benefits from increasing class time.

[Anonymous]

My kids are pretty engaged in middle school PE—they do play the sports and get some exposure. Pickle ball, archery, weightlifting and volleyball were all popular, and my son liked flag football too (but my daughters hate it). Soccer and basketball were all hated because the skill differential is too large—if you’re good, it’s boring and if you’re bad, it’s embarrassing to be bad at a sport so many kids are really good at. I think one problem is that the classes aren’t gender divided, and so there are definite issues with the boys pushing out the girls in some soports. That’s one of the biggest complaints I hear.

For HS, I also think the kids seem pretty engaged in the yoga or weightlifting classes they can choose, at least.

The big problem seems to be ES — they should have PE at least 3x week, not once.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids are pretty engaged in middle school PE—they do play the sports and get some exposure. Pickle ball, archery, weightlifting and volleyball were all popular, and my son liked flag football too (but my daughters hate it). Soccer and basketball were all hated because the skill differential is too large—if you’re good, it’s boring and if you’re bad, it’s embarrassing to be bad at a sport so many kids are really good at. I think one problem is that the classes aren’t gender divided, and so there are definite issues with the boys pushing out the girls in some soports. That’s one of the biggest complaints I hear.

For HS, I also think the kids seem pretty engaged in the yoga or weightlifting classes they can choose, at least.

The big problem seems to be ES — they should have PE at least 3x week, not once.

Agreed.

And I think they should revise the PE requirement in high school.

Take a PE class but YOU MUST participate OR sign up for a school sport OR take an extra health class.

This would ensure the people in PE classes are enthusiastic and want to be there vs those who don't want to be there and don't do anything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Interesting idea from a Whitman student: Count student athletics as P.E. credit: https://theblackandwhite.net/64647/opinion/mcps-qualify-school-sports-as-p-e-credits/

The main point of a P.E. credit is so students can exercise, so for student athletes, this requirement isn’t only excessive, but also unnecessary—they already spend countless hours exercising outside of school with their respective sports teams. Student Member of the Board elect Nate Tinbite proposed removing the P.E. credit requirement for athletes who play on a school sports team. MCPS should adopt this policy and qualify two or more seasons of school sports as a P.E. credit, so students have adequate time in school to pursue their interests and take other classes.

Eliminating the P.E. requirement for student athletes allows student athletes to explore other topics of interest. The average Whitman athlete spends around two hours at practice for five to six days a week. With more time to delve into new subjects and classes, student athletes can become more well-rounded individuals instead of spending most of their time exercising.

If student athletes are exempt from the credit, each gym class will have fewer students. Teachers will be able to give students increased attention and instruction—especially to those who aren’t as athletic. In addition, students won’t need to substitute out as frequently, making students active for longer periods of time and each class more productive.

Makes sense to me. I bet no one on the BoE or at MCPS has ever even considered this idea....

You would lose that bet. The board approved a resolution to consider it in the fall of 2019. Then the pandemic happened and it was no longer high on the agenda.

https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/BGEN8K5EB4AC/$file/20190923%20Awarding%20Academic%20Credit%20Interscholastic%20Athletic%20Pro.pdf

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Interesting idea from a Whitman student: Count student athletics as P.E. credit: https://theblackandwhite.net/64647/opinion/mcps-qualify-school-sports-as-p-e-credits/

The main point of a P.E. credit is so students can exercise, so for student athletes, this requirement isn’t only excessive, but also unnecessary—they already spend countless hours exercising outside of school with their respective sports teams. Student Member of the Board elect Nate Tinbite proposed removing the P.E. credit requirement for athletes who play on a school sports team. MCPS should adopt this policy and qualify two or more seasons of school sports as a P.E. credit, so students have adequate time in school to pursue their interests and take other classes.

Eliminating the P.E. requirement for student athletes allows student athletes to explore other topics of interest. The average Whitman athlete spends around two hours at practice for five to six days a week. With more time to delve into new subjects and classes, student athletes can become more well-rounded individuals instead of spending most of their time exercising.

If student athletes are exempt from the credit, each gym class will have fewer students. Teachers will be able to give students increased attention and instruction—especially to those who aren’t as athletic. In addition, students won’t need to substitute out as frequently, making students active for longer periods of time and each class more productive.

Makes sense to me. I bet no one on the BoE or at MCPS has ever even considered this idea....

You would lose that bet. The board approved a resolution to consider it in the fall of 2019. Then the pandemic happened and it was no longer high on the agenda.

https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/BGEN8K5EB4AC/$file/20190923%20Awarding%20Academic%20Credit%20Interscholastic%20Athletic%20Pro.pdf

WHOOPS! Well, I'm willing to eat crow when I'm wrong! Nice to see the BoE on it! They should pick this idea back up. It's a great suggestion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Interesting idea from a Whitman student: Count student athletics as P.E. credit: https://theblackandwhite.net/64647/opinion/mcps-qualify-school-sports-as-p-e-credits/

The main point of a P.E. credit is so students can exercise, so for student athletes, this requirement isn’t only excessive, but also unnecessary—they already spend countless hours exercising outside of school with their respective sports teams. Student Member of the Board elect Nate Tinbite proposed removing the P.E. credit requirement for athletes who play on a school sports team. MCPS should adopt this policy and qualify two or more seasons of school sports as a P.E. credit, so students have adequate time in school to pursue their interests and take other classes.

Eliminating the P.E. requirement for student athletes allows student athletes to explore other topics of interest. The average Whitman athlete spends around two hours at practice for five to six days a week. With more time to delve into new subjects and classes, student athletes can become more well-rounded individuals instead of spending most of their time exercising.

If student athletes are exempt from the credit, each gym class will have fewer students. Teachers will be able to give students increased attention and instruction—especially to those who aren’t as athletic. In addition, students won’t need to substitute out as frequently, making students active for longer periods of time and each class more productive.

Makes sense to me. I bet no one on the BoE or at MCPS has ever even considered this idea....

You would lose that bet. The board approved a resolution to consider it in the fall of 2019. Then the pandemic happened and it was no longer high on the agenda.

https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/BGEN8K5EB4AC/$file/20190923%20Awarding%20Academic%20Credit%20Interscholastic%20Athletic%20Pro.pdf

WHOOPS! Well, I'm willing to eat crow when I'm wrong! Nice to see the BoE on it! They should pick this idea back up. It's a great suggestion.

It doesn’t sound like they got around to considering it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids are pretty engaged in middle school PE—they do play the sports and get some exposure. Pickle ball, archery, weightlifting and volleyball were all popular, and my son liked flag football too (but my daughters hate it). Soccer and basketball were all hated because the skill differential is too large—if you’re good, it’s boring and if you’re bad, it’s embarrassing to be bad at a sport so many kids are really good at. I think one problem is that the classes aren’t gender divided, and so there are definite issues with the boys pushing out the girls in some soports. That’s one of the biggest complaints I hear.

For HS, I also think the kids seem pretty engaged in the yoga or weightlifting classes they can choose, at least.

The big problem seems to be ES — they should have PE at least 3x week, not once.

Agreed.

And I think they should revise the PE requirement in high school.

Take a PE class but YOU MUST participate OR sign up for a school sport OR take an extra health class.

This would ensure the people in PE classes are enthusiastic and want to be there vs those who don't want to be there and don't do anything.

This makes the most sense to me but allow outside sports as an exemption too.

[Anonymous]

As a kid (in MCPS) I hated PE. But my 2 kids love it, esp my middle schooler. She's been able to take volleyball, street hockey, yoga, biking and something called "Move Strong". I wonder if this just varies from school to school. Its true everyone gets an A, but there is something to be said for tracking your progress. She's weekly checking the num of situps, pushups, etc she can do in Move Strong.

Anyway, I think it should be mandatory from 6-12 - either PE or a sport. There should be no reason why kids this age are sedentary all day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is the obsession with changing? We'd rarely bring our clothing home they stunk.

I do not understand the nostalgia for mandatory changing in PE class. PE was bad (sports I couldn't and didn't want to play, hoping you didn't get picked on the later end or last), but changing in the locker rooms was the worst. And I was a thin, heterosexual, cisgender, median-age-of-puberty kid.

Signed,

Gen X-er

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids are pretty engaged in middle school PE—they do play the sports and get some exposure. Pickle ball, archery, weightlifting and volleyball were all popular, and my son liked flag football too (but my daughters hate it). Soccer and basketball were all hated because the skill differential is too large—if you’re good, it’s boring and if you’re bad, it’s embarrassing to be bad at a sport so many kids are really good at. I think one problem is that the classes aren’t gender divided, and so there are definite issues with the boys pushing out the girls in some soports. That’s one of the biggest complaints I hear.

For HS, I also think the kids seem pretty engaged in the yoga or weightlifting classes they can choose, at least.

The big problem seems to be ES — they should have PE at least 3x week, not once.

Agreed.

And I think they should revise the PE requirement in high school.

Take a PE class but YOU MUST participate OR sign up for a school sport OR take an extra health class.

This would ensure the people in PE classes are enthusiastic and want to be there vs those who don't want to be there and don't do anything.

Disagree, my taxes shouldn't be used to fund these extracurricular sports. If your kid wants to play travel soccer fine but do it on your own dime.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the obsession with changing? We'd rarely bring our clothing home they stunk.

I do not understand the nostalgia for mandatory changing in PE class. PE was bad (sports I couldn't and didn't want to play, hoping you didn't get picked on the later end or last), but changing in the locker rooms was the worst. And I was a thin, heterosexual, cisgender, median-age-of-puberty kid.

Signed,

Gen X-er

There isn't any real nostalgia. It's just the same 2-3 far-right astroturfers trying to stir up trouble by complaining about how society is in free fall and the faux decline of MCPS. They gloss over the demographic changes in MCPS over the past 20 years and its impact on standardized testing to help spin this narrative and sew grievance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I personally hated PE and am surprised that there are some who are advocates of it.

My ES kids enjoy it, so I’m fine with it for ES. Starting in MS, I think they should either replace it with a mental health break/study hall/recess. If trey insist on PE, kids who attest that they exercise should be excused.

I hated PE too. I got plenty of exercise on my own playing outside, riding my bike, swimming. PE just seemed like an excise for the athletes to gang up on the dorks and spike volleyballs at our heads.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is the obsession with changing? We'd rarely bring our clothing home they stunk.

Anonymous wrote:I just don't think you can genuinely practice a sport in your ripped denim jeans and Timberland work boots. Do you?

Tons of kids don't like being humiliated while changing in the locker room. Kids can't participate without proper shoes.

[Anonymous]

The problem with recognizing extracurricular sports as PE (which I'd love to see) is that they're not necessarily coached by teachers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The state of PE at my kids' DCC high school is depressing. Many kids don't change.

I think the not changing is a holdover from the pandemic. At our MCPS MS, the teachers discouraged changing last year (to reduce students being congregated, or dealing with masks, etc) and this year, many are not in/out of the habit.