GothamSchools — daily independent reporting on NYC public schools

Knowing the vindictive nature of the Tweed folks they will look to retaliate somehow. For example they may drop the P.E. offerings in the high schools. The state requirement is for classes per bi-weekly meetings. In fact they often meet daily in high school. They could go to a 2 for 1 schedule and save money at the expense of the high school sports programs. They are just evil enough to try this.

Waiting for the School Progress Reports for gym.

Progress metric for O2 uptake, based on metabolic proficiency, etc.

I’ve been a NYC physical education teacher for over 10 years. The city does an audit of PE hour compliance every couple of years. It never has had much of an impact on actually forcing schools to comply with the state mandated hours of instruction. What has improved is that more schools than ever actually have a PE teacher. Furthermore, we now have many more elementary PE teachers that are actual licensed PE teachers. (As opposed to common branch teachers teaching PE) The problem with fulfilling mandated PE hours is simply supply and demand. Logistically, it is very hard for overcrowded schools who many times share a gym with other schools to complete the required hours. I must also agree with one of the above posters who said that having quality PE classes is much more important that having many weekly PE classes if they are not effectively taught. Lastly, the Fitnessgram testing protocol was not designed for teacher evaluation purposes. (The researchers who created the Fitnessgram test are very adamant about this fact) The Fitnessgram testing information is designed to be shared only with the student, PE teacher, and guardian of the student. However, the state/city will be creating a rubric for PE teacher evaluations just like every other non-classroom subject in the coming years.

“We know we have more work to do in this area…”  That response along with many other robotic answers parents, communities and elected officials get from DOE (like – “Closing schools is the hardest decision we make.”) is standard operating procedure.  I’ve heard that line for years…

By now it’s crystal clear, the NYC Dept of Education’s priorities are:  test prep, testing, accountability, grading schools, phasing out schools, co-locating schools, hiring outside vendors, hours of paper work for schools and more computer teaching, which means MUCH more sitting down inactive time for all students.

Our children will become and grow into the priorities we create for them.  For children with stable homes, access to health care, good nutrition, positive role models for self care and well being there’s no issue.  For at-risk communities…for the thousands and thousands of city school children who consider school “home”, who rely on school as the only safe place in their day, the issues are too many to count.  

“We know we have more work to do in this area…” doesn’t cut it and hasn’t for a decade.  No parent no matter how poor, dysfunctional or broken has specifically said to DOE, “…please, please, less fresh air, less recess…this is what I want for my child!”