District Administration - April 2010 - (Page 35)

ticipating students also raised their GPAs. “But I also hope that later in life they will have the skills to slow things down.” An Uphill Climb Lerner says the idea of alternative phys ed activities is no longer revolutionary, and a number of neighboring schools now oﬀer everything from kickboxing to hip-hop dancing. But programs like BellmoreMerrick’s and Rye Neck’s are proving more the exception than the rule, in large part because of the price tag. “It’s very tough to change a program in a district where your P.E. budget is $1 a kid, especially when you’re dependent on equipment and facilities,” observes Jeﬀries. Once started, Jeﬀries says, alternative programs need committed advocates to keep them going. Besides advocating for alternative physical education, NASPE president Steve Jeffries notes that physical education classes can draw more students into traditional team sports because those with marginal playing abilities get to play in class. “Over the years, there’s been too much emphasis on the higher skills,” Jeﬀries admits. Bane McCracken, the founder of a physical education program that had students at Cabell-Midland High School in the Cabell County (W.Va.) Schools walk, hike and ride bicycles, still prefers an approach that goes beyond computer-led exercise classes and the traditional playing ﬁeld. “ ere are some great programs going on, but there are still a lot of schools that haven’t caught on yet,” laments McCracken, who is no longer at the district. “ ere’s a big disconnect from what we should be doing and what we are doing.” e greatest hope for the continued growth of such alternatives, McCracken and other proponents agree, lies in changing the prevailing mindset of physical education departments and ﬁnding the funding to pay for new programs.DA www.DistrictAdministration.com Read how schools are trying to meet Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move goals. Ron Schachter is a contributing writer for D A. www.DistrictAdministration.com April 2010 35 1:1 LEARNING UPDATE Mobile Learning Programs in K-12 Schools Today Tuesday, June 29, 2010, 2:00-3:00PM Register Today! This DA-sponsored session features panelists who will share success stories, discuss implementation, and reveal how they broke down barriers. e! er Th Be http://www.polarusa.com/education http://www.polarusa.com/education http://www.DistrictAdministration.com http://www.DistrictAdministration.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of District Administration - April 2010

District Administration - April 2010
Contents
From the Editor
News Update
Health
Standards
District Profile
Administrator Profile
Conversations
Sports for Life
Reaching Digital Natives on Their Terms
RTI Goes Mainstream
Double Duty: Schools as Community Centers
Online Edge
Tech Disruptions
Product Focus
New Products
Student Counsel

District Administration - April 2010