Warren Harding Athletes Get Physical Education Waiver

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Published: 2/01 9:50 pm

Updated: 2/01 9:56 pm

Some Warren Harding High School students may no longer be required to take part in a physical education class.

The Board of Education on Wednesday voted to adopt a new policy that will allow students who participate in athletics to skip the physical education classes needed to graduate. The waiver also would apply to those students taking part in marching band as well as cheerleaders.

School officials said the physical education waiver will allow students to spend more time on academics.

"We are looking at our ACT scores. We are looking at our overall achievement. The fact our district is in academic watch is not acceptable and we are interested in every avenue we can take to provide students an opportunity to take as many classes as they can," said Melissa Watson, executive director of teaching and learning for the school district. "We heard from parents in our community that they would like this as an option for their children. It is not an attempt to diminish the positive effects of physical education, but we are in an academic situation where our kids need as many opportunities as they can get."

School officials said they do not anticipate any staff reductions because of the waiver.

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PETEnation - 2/4/2012 1:47 PM

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This article mentions that the school needs to start focusing on their academics, and that a waiver from P.E. will give students more time to take other classes. On the contrary, it has been proven that physical activity actually improves students' test scores. There are cognitive benefits to being active, on top of the physical benefits. The biggest reason that I don't like waivers for athletes is because that takes the students out who help the class run smoothly. In most examples, the athletes are the students who do the activities voluntarily. They set an example that we hope other students follow. I agree with Redbirds23 that these stats about obesity are scary. We need to keep our students healthy for them to have high academic achievement. I hope that waivers will become less prevalent because everybody needs physical activity.

redbirds23 - 2/2/2012 7:59 PM

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Physical education is just as important as any other subject in school curriculum so waivers should not be allowed. Physical education instills life long skills and values in students that help them lead a physically active life. In today's society 17% of students are obese and 33% are overweight. Physical education is one area of many that can start to change this by teaching students skills and knowledge about fitness and health. Yes I understand that students who participate in athletics or band are getting exercise which is great, I hope they keep it up, but later in life they might not be able to. That is where physical education comes in, it teaches them life long activities and skill they can do throughout life.

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