our readers write

I am committed to empowering children to lead healthy and active lives through health and physical education. Do the educational leaders in our state feel the same?

In 2015, President Obama signed the Every Student Succeeds Act. For the 1st time, health and physical education became critical to a well-rounded education.

Thanks to the elevation of health and physical education, we have the opportunity for all students to be healthy and active.

As our leaders set education priorities, I urge them to ensure that health and physical education are made a priority supported by Title I (low socio-economic status schools), Title II (professional development) and Title IV (safe and healthy students). This funding could provide the boost that these programs need.

After the passage of No Child Left Behind 15 years ago, we witnessed two alarming trends. Health and physical education were too often considered ancillary subjects and the first to be cut in state budgets. Child obesity rates reached epidemic highs, with 1 in 3 ages 10-17 overweight or obese.

Research has shown that physical activity and education improves student attendance, test scores, enthusiasm for other academic subjects, motivation to learn and reduces discipline referrals. Evidence shows it reduces student smoking, drinking, misbehavior and violence.

Now that health and physical education have been prioritized and allowed us of federal education funds, it’s vital that health and physical education become a priority for all students as we work to take a new approach to educating our students. I look forward to the future of health and physical education for our students.