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

• Published in: Annals of behavioral medicine Vol. 45; no. Suppl 1; pp. 122 - 130
• Main Authors: Lafleur, Mariah, Strongin, Seth, Cole, Brian L., Bullock, Sally Lawrence, Banthia, Rajni, Craypo, Lisa, Sivasubramanian, Ramya, Samuels, Sarah, García, Robert
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer-Verlag 01-02-2013
• Subjects: Adolescent; Child; Elementary schools; Family Medicine; Female; General Practice; Health Psychology; Humans; Income; Los Angeles; Male; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Motor Activity; Original Article; Physical Education and Training - methods; Program Development; Program Evaluation; Schools; Los Angeles; Policy; Children; Physical activity; Physical education; Adolescents; Schools
• ISSN: 0883-6612; 1532-4796
• DOI: 10.1007/s12160-012-9431-0

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.