Physical Education and Student Activity: Evaluating Implementation of a New Policy in Los Angeles Public Schools

Abstract

Background California law has standards for physical education (PE) instruction in K-12 public schools; audits found that the Los Angeles Unified School District did not enforce the standards. In 2009, the district adopted a PE policy to comply with these standards. Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of the PE policy in district schools. Methods PE class observations were conducted using the System for Observing Fitness Instruction Time in the 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 school years in an income-stratified random sample of 34 elementary, middle, and high schools to assess changes in PE class size, class duration, and time students spent in moderate to vigorous physical activity. Results PE class duration increased in high-income elementary schools. Mean class size decreased in low-income middle schools. Conclusions There was limited implementation of the PE policy 2 years after passage. Opportunities exist to continue monitoring and improving PE quantity and quality.

Consistency of Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity in Middle School Physical Education

“…12 This finding is consistent with other direct observation studies using the original SOFIT tool, although these studies have found percents of MVPA ranging from 38-46%. 20,21,24 The proportion of lesson time lost to transition in this study (31.8%) was similar to other studies conducted in middle school PE classes, which found 19-36% of lost instructional time. 23,24,29,30 Thus, only an average of 68% of class time was spent engaged in content related to PE in this sample.…”

“…20 As in the original SOFIT protocol, 31 four students in each class were observed on a rotating basis every 10 seconds over the duration of the class. Students were chosen at the beginning of each class to be roughly representative of the class in terms of gender and overweight status—two factors known to influence physical activity intensity and duration.…”

“…Recent studies in California schools found that class sizes frequently exceed the caps prescribed by state laws and district policies, the percent of class time in MVPA is often below the recommended 50% of time, and larger classes and less affluent schools report lower levels of physical activity. 20,21 Assessing quality of PE and MVPA levels is best done through direct observation methods that allow for simultaneous measurement of lesson context and physical activity. 22 The System for Observing Fitness Instruction Time (SOFIT) is a direct observation tool that has been used to examine PE in numerous studies across elementary and secondary grade levels.…”

Obesity Prevention Policies in U.S. States and Localities: Lessons from the Field

“…Nearly all of the studies were cross-sectional and none were longitudinal. The majority of the studies focused on school-level implementation of state and/or district level policies [38–46], followed by studies of the relationship between the policies and student PA [•41, •47], or youth obesity [48, 49]. …”

Civil Rights Laws as Tools to Advance Health in the Twenty-First Century

“…Nongovernmental organizations can also play a role in protecting the rights of communities through civil rights laws. In Los Angeles, a multidisciplinary coalition's assessment of the discriminatory impact of physical education requirements, a state mandate, and variation in resources (teachers and facilities) in schools with higher Latino and minority attendees resulted in changes in policies and practice (37,61). These communities are considering how best to use law and policy to support their populations, to advance health, and to eliminate inequities.…”