Physical Activity

  • Physical activity is essential for good health. A growing body of evidence suggests that physical activity can also help improve academic achievement, including grades and standardized test scores. Increasing opportunities for physical activity during the school day has been shown to enhance concentration and improve classroom behavior, and increasing or maintaining time dedicated to physical education does not appear to adversely affect academic performance (1).  School wellness policies are required to set district goals for physical activity and other school-based activities that promote student wellness. The following links provide important resources to support evidence-based  physical activity goals in schools.

    California Physical Education Model Standards 

    Support high quality physical education programs designed to provide students with the knowledge and ability to maintain active,healthy lifestyles.

    Physical Education Standard K-12

    Physical Education Framework       

    The Framework provides guidelines for implementing the CA Physical Education Standards.             

    The California Physical Fitness  

    Results for your district or county can be downloaded to determine how fit your students are:
     
    Physical Fitness Testing  

    The California After School Resource Center 

    Provides many resources related to physical activity including:

    California After School Resource Center Physical Fitness

    California Department of Education Online Trainings

    Physical Activity for the Classroom                  

    Safe Routes to School in Marin County 

    These programs are "designed to decrease traffic and pollution and increase the health of children and the community, Safe Routes to Schools promotes walking and biking to school, using eduation and incentives to show how much fun it can be! The program addresses parents' safety concerns by educating children and the public, partnering with traffic law enforcement, and developing plans to create safer streets. Marin County pioneered the national Safe Routes to Schools program that has spread across the U.S."  

    Safe Routes to School in Marin County     

    Playworks 20 Years of Play

    Playworks is a recess support program that has been adopted at several elementary schools in Marin."Playworks is a national nonprofit organization that transforms schools by providing play and physical activity at recess and throughout the school day. Through on-site direct service and trainer-led professional development workshps, Playworks restores valuable teaching time, reduces bullying, increases physical activity and improves the school and learning environment."


    Click here to access the Playworks website.     


    1.)  CDC - The association between school-based physical activity, including physical education, and academic  performance. Atlanta, GA: US Department of Health and Human Services; 2010. Available at: Center for Disease Control and Prevention