Dissatisfaction with physical education
requirements is a common
discussion topic here at
MHS. The reasons behind these sentiments
are quite varied, ranging from
frustration at not having room in a
schedule for physical education to apprehension
towards trying to teach positive
fitness habits. Much of that dissatisfaction
gets directed at the high school or
the district, but many often forget that
Minnetonka is not the sole determinant
of its physical education policy; state
and even national standards come into
play as well. The question is, how much
of this policy is dictated from outside of
the district, and how much room do we really have to make our own changes?
Currently, Minnesota adheres to a set of six standards known as the National
Physical Education Standards. These standards tend to be very broad, and they act as
general guidelines rather than strict rules about class hours or number of credits.
Some are very basic, requiring students to show “competency in motor skills” and to
display knowledge of “movement concepts” and “principles.” Others, however, are
virtually impossible to apply in a classroom or gym environment, such as ensuring that
students “value physical activity.” True enforcement of this standard would require instructors
to be quite intrusive, and besides, there is no real way to gauge whether or
not someone “values” exercise.
In addition to these national standards, the Health and Physical Education
Quality Teaching Network and the Minnesota Department of Education have added
some benchmarks unique to Minnesota. At lower grade levels, these benchmarks can
be quite specific, but by the high school level they are little more than slight clarifications
of the national standards. Benchmarks like the assertion that “Students will
enjoy regular participation in physical activity” are purely idealistic, and have little to
do with the actual logistics of requiring physical education.
According to the national standards and state benchmarks, Minnetonka could
actually be a lot more stringent about adhering to standards. The various alternatives
at Minnetonka, like waivers and online gym, are surprisingly lenient in the face of
benchmarks that technically require us to enjoy being active. The state legislature recently
accepted new standards, but they’re essentially identical to what we have now.
As long as the state and the district subscribe to these broad, vague guidelines, it might
be best to accept Minnetonka’s relatively reasonable policies.