Resource

The state of California passed a law requiring that schools provide a certain amount of physical education time, but compliance with the policy was low and there was no clear mechanism for enforcement. This led to a suit against many California school districts. During the webinar we learned about the impacts and consequences of this suit were on these and other school districts in the state and heard recommendations for other strategies for improving compliance. The speakers include Drs. Kristine Madsen and Hannah Thompson. Both of the University of California, Berkeley School of Public Health; Dr. Madsen is an Associate Professor and Dr. Thompson is a research scientist. Their research focuses on school- and community-based methods to increase physical activity levels, with the goals of improving youth health and decreasing obesity and health disparities. We were also joined by Karen Johnson of SHAPE America (a national Society of Health and Physical Educators committed to ensuring all children have the opportunity to lead healthy, physically active lives). Karen will share an advocacy perspective regarding how findings from this study could impact PE standards and compliance on a national scale, beyond California.