Associations between Fitness and Academic Achievement and Academic Behavior among Mississippi Public School Students

RESEARCH TEAM Jerome R. Kolbo The University of Southern Mississippi John Alvarez Delta State University Lindsey Blom Ball State University Lei Zhang Mississippi State Department of Health

PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT Provide curriculum, training, resources based on Mississippi Standards for Physical Education to assist schools to implement a quality physical education program (Physical Best) in 25 schools across the state

PURPOSE OF THE EVALUATION Assess: Fitness levels among students Changes in fitness levels over time (3 years) Associations between fitness and Academic Achievement (Language Arts/Math) Academic Behavior (Attendance/Discipline)

METHOD Training of selected school personnel on: Physical Best curriculum FITNESSGRAM software Fitness oriented PE equipment Schools were to implement a fitness program for all students assess their performance and capture data on fitness: Strength Endurance Flexibility Aerobic Capacity BMI

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS FITNESSGRAM data collected over five semesters, beginning in Spring 2008 Data collected and organized by student, class, grade, and school Data used to determine percent of students achieving scores within a Healthy Fit Zone Data merged with student academic records

C2M FINDINGS Strong positive association between fitness and academic achievement Statistically significant linear trend for both Language Arts and Math in and Strong negative association between fitness and academic behavior Statistically significant linear trend for absences in but not for disciplinary actions either year

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT 07-08

ACADEMIC BEHAVIOR 07-08

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT 08-09

ACADEMIC BEHAVIOR 08-09

C2M IMPLICATIONS Key risk factors for dropping out are addressed. Fit kids miss less school and perform better on standardized tests Good investment in future of education is through investment in fitness Not simply adding more PE or opportunities for physical activity

FUTURE RESEARCH Assess changes in percentages of fit students over time using Physical Best Curriculum Assess and compare associations between fitness and academic and behavioral performance among this cohort and two different ones (N1 – after implementing CSHP, and N2 – while implementing CSHP)

CONTACT INFORMATION Jerome R. Kolbo, PhD, ACSW The University of Southern Mississippi 118 College Drive #5114 Hattiesburg, MS Office