HB11-1069: Physical Activity Expectations in Schools Kyle Legleiter, MPH Colorado Connections For Healthy Schools Coalition August 9, 2011

Objectives Understand what HB11-1069 does and does not require schools to do Identify ways to engage in implementing HB11-1069 in your local community Connect to useful resources for increasing physical activity in schools Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

Background Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

Why focus on Physical Activity? Between 2003 and 2007 Colorado’s child obesity national ranking dropped from 3rd leanest to 23rd Physical activity in schools Increases academic achievement Reduces behavioral problems Improves students’ physical and mental health According to the 2009 Child Health Survey conducted by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, one in four Colorado children is overweight or obese and only fifty-three percent meet daily physical activity recommendations. Ensuring access to physical activity in elementary schools will help combat childhood obesity and improve Colorado’s ranking. Healthy children are more likely to be engaged learners, do better in school, have improved attendance and are less likely to have behavioral problems inside and outside the classroom. Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

Physical activity and TV viewing, Colorado Children ages 1-14, 2004-2008 When we account for computers, smart phones, and Video games Screentime= 37.5% (2007-2008 CHS) Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Source: Colorado Child Health Survey, Health Statistics Section, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

Prevalence of overweight and obese children, ages 2-14, Colorado, 2004-2007 Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Source: Colorado Child Health Survey, Health Statistics Section, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

A role for schools Provide a safe place to play Support schools’ core mission of educating students and helping them to succeed through PA 1/3 of Colorado children live in neighborhoods without a park, playground, trail, recreation center, or another safe place to play. Schools can provide that safe place. Increasing physical activity helps to support schools’ core mission. Research shows that policy intervention is most feasible and likely to be successful at the public school system level Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

Prior to HB 11-1069 No statewide requirements for physical education or physical activity time Of Colorado’s 23 largest school districts, only one had a physical activity policy Large majority of Colorado voters supported increasing PA time during the school day Colorado was one of only two states that did not have any requirements for physical education or physical activity at any grade level. Of Colorado’s 32 largest school districts, only one had a policy encouraging a specific quantity of PA time during the school day. This support extended across all geographic regions of the state, across partisanship, gender, age, education level, income and ideology. Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

Parental Support for Physical Education in Schools, CHS-2010 Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Source: Colorado Child Health Survey, Health Statistics Section, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

Parental Support for Nutrition & Physical Activity in Schools, CHS-2010 Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Source: Colorado Child Health Survey, Health Statistics Section, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

HB 11-1069: Physical Activity Expectation in Schools Establishes a minimum time requirement for physical activity opportunities in elementary schools Each school district board of education and institute charter school must adopt a physical activity policy that ensures each elementary student’s schedule satisfies the law’s requirements. It is important to note that this is a MINIMUM requirement, so it is really better to go beyond these requirements. Schools must comply with the provisions beginning in the 2011-2012 school year. Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

Definition of Physical Activity Recess Physical education classes Fitness breaks Classroom activities that include physical activity Exercise programs Field trips that include physical activity A school district may offer any of these to satisfy their requirements for offering “physical activity” opportunities to students. Any combination of these options can satisfy the requirement for the minimum amount of physical activity opportunities. Physical activity is not limited to this description, but is really any time that kids are out of their chairs. The best policy takes advantage of recess and PE scheduling so that the physical activity is automatically built into the day and is less likely to be replaced or forfeited due to time restraints. Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

Full day student, 5 days/week Half day student, 5 days/week 300 minutes per month 600 minutes per month Full day student, 5 days/week Half day student, 5 days/week 30 minutes per day 15 minutes per day The law establishes a minimum number of minutes during the school day that students have the opportunity to engage in physical activity, which varies according to a school’s and a student’s schedule. Schools that meet five days per week are required to offer 600 minutes of physical activity to full day students and 300 minutes to half day students. Schools that meet fewer than five days per week are required to offer 30 minutes of physical activity per day to full day students and 15 minutes per day to half day students. Half day student, <5 days/week Full day student, <5 days/week

Next Steps for Local Schools Adopt a physical activity policy by the 2011-2012 school year Assess the amount of time students have opportunities for PA in current school schedules Increase the amount of PA time if necessary Improve the quality of PA Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

Everyone has a role School board members Principals and superintendants School Wellness coordinators Teachers Parents and community members The implementation of this law will only be successful if everyone plays their part in supporting it. The individual policies will only be as strong as the local communities’ accountability. Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

Next Step: Implementing Policy School district board of education OR Institute charter school with its school accountability committee *Model policy drafts available from the Colorado Association of School Boards Local school boards may add to or customize model policies to fit local needs The school district board of education or the institute charter school are responsible for developing and adopting physical activity policies for their schools. School boards may seek the advice of their school district accountability committees and the person or committees responsible for school wellness policies regarding the development and implementation of the district’s physical activity policy. In light of recent budget cuts, the school boards have several issues on their plates to deal with in the coming months, and HB 1069 is only one of the new legislative changes. We must acknowledge the shifting priorities due to these budget constraints and find means to continue PE/Recess. The CASB models will be available to members online ??? These models provide a starting point. Although some districts may be able to use the models verbatim when adopting a policy, the model won’t fit everyone’s needs. They should be adapted in order to meet the priorities of the local community. Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

School Board Members Responsible for adopting new PA policy Consult with accountability and school wellness committees Ensure accountability for implementation and compliance with the law In order to promote transparency and accountability, the bill also includes minor reporting requirements. The State Board of Education is also encouraged to include in the school performance report information concerning each school district’s and each public school’s incorporation of physical activity in the school day. Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

School Wellness Coordinators Collaborate with school boards and accountability committees Educate school executives, teachers, and staff about the new policy Coordinate school- and district-wide efforts to implement the policy Connect to resources to increase the quantity and improve the quality of PA Link to other school health efforts The law suggests that school boards seek advice from their school wellness coordinator and accountability committee to develop and adopt a new physical activity policy. Other school health efforts include recess before lunch, health education, safe routes to school, etc. to promote wellness through all aspects of the school environment. Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

Principals and Superintendants Typically responsible for student scheduling Assess current amount of PA time offered to students Adjust schedules as necessary Ensure all students have the minimum amount of PA time during the school day Connect school staff to resources to improve quality of PA time Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

Teachers Connect with resources to improve the quality of PA during the school day Offer classroom activity breaks on a regular basis Incorporate PA into lesson plans Reward good PA behaviors. Do not use PA time as a punishment There are many resources available online, such as activity break ideas, posters, and lesson plans that use physical activity. For example, dribbling a ball in a specific pattern helps students learn patterns in math. Recess should not be subject to removal as consequence of bad behavior. Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

Parents and Community Members Attend school board, accountability committee, and school wellness meetings to express your support Request information about how schools are implementing new PA policies Volunteer to offer resources and support to schools Link to other community health efforts (e.g. Safe Routes to School) This is an important piece of the accountability; if schools are not held accountable, the policies will not be effective! Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

Activity Break! Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

Implementing HB 11-1069

HB 11-1069 Requires a specific quantity of time for PA during the school day Compliance is not optional Provides local schools flexibility in the type of PA they offer Local schools are responsible for the quality of PA time Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

1. Physical Education Classes Curriculum and evidence base Training Equipment Implementation New academic standards Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

2. Recess Facilities Equipment Structure and supervision Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

3. Fitness Breaks Quick breaks devoted specifically to PA Promoting other skills: Communication Teamwork Leadership Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

4. Classroom Activities that Include PA PA incorporated into academic instruction May improves memory and recall- SOHCAHTOA Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

Small Group Exercise What successes have you had? What challenges have you had? What resources have been helpful? PE Classes Recess Physical activity breaks PA incorporated into classroom activities Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

Linking to Other Efforts Before and after school PA opportunities Safe Routes to School Recess before lunch Health education Parent and community involvement Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

Resources www.playworks.org www.livewellcolorado.org www.colegacy.org www.coloradohealth.org The FAQ sheet on the Colorado Public Health Association’s website answers important questions about the new law. Go to NASPE’s website to find an extensive list of programs and resources to assist schools in implementing the various types of physical activity. The CanDo website also provides links to local resources, including order forms for products from the Healthy Kids Club of the Poudre Valley Health Systems. The LiveWell Toolbox provides information on childhood obesity and school wellness and links to resources for physical education. Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

Potential Funding The Colorado Health Foundation PE Quality Improvement grant Active Play Area grant Colorado Legacy Foundation Innovation Grants If you are ready to get started, here are some options to obtain funding for physical activity in schools. The CHF has funding opportunities available on a quarterly basis. The next deadline to apply for a PE Quality Improvement grant or an Active Play Area grant is July 15th. The Colorado Legacy Foundation awards Innovation grants to school districts that are implementing best practices in Nutrition, Physical Education, Health Education, School Based Health, Bully Prevention and Worksite Wellness. Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

Coming Soon… Webinar: Physical Activity in Schools: Resources and Case Studies to Implement HB 11-1069 Tuesday, August 16, 2011 8-9 a.m. Register at www.livewellcolorado.org Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

Questions? Kyle Legleiter, CDPHE 303.692.2506 or kyle.legleiter@state.co.us Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment