Chase Hansen, Utah Valley University
Academic Affairs
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to assess the trends of physical education class time from before and after the No Child Left behind Act (NCLB) in Utah schoolsOur hypothesis is that the NCLB Act caused a decrease in the amount of physical education class time taking place in Utah schools.
Methods
After completing a literature review, a list of 10 related questions were formed. Having obtained a list of every district, school, and principal (as well as their e-mail) in the state of Utah from the Utah Department of Education website, a consent form and the survey were sent through email to each principal. Percentages were used to identify trends in the data, and portrayed the amount of physical education class time per week.
Results
Currently 29% of principals indicated that physical education class time had decreased since the onset of the NCLB Act. Currently, 57% of principals indicated students received one hour or less of physical education class time per week. Thirteen percent of principals indicated up to two hours while the remainder was varied up to but not exceeding five hours. Forty one percent of principals reported requests of more physical education while 1% requested less. Prior to the NCLB Act, 3% of principals noted parents requested more physical education and 15% reported that they requested less. Forty eight percent of principals indicated students receiving one hour or less of physical education class time while 23% indicated up two hours of PE. The remainder of principals indicated that the PE time was varied but did not exceeding five hours.
Discussion
We can see from the data that there is a decrease in the amount of PE time since the NCLB Act. Some results may not be accurate as there is limited knowledge among newer principals about what PE class time was offered prior to the NCLB Act. Principals noted that they have received more requests for more PE class time. This would indicate that there is an interest by parents and others to increase the time spent in PE.