Fighting Student Obesity in Texas
Texas students who are physically fit are more likely to do well on achievement tests and less likely to have discipline problems, according to a study released Monday by the Texas Education Agency.
Based on annual physical fitness assessments of more than 2.4 million students in the public schools, the study found that increased exercise helps the brain function more efficiently and enhances the ability to learn. Students who were physically fit also had better school attendance.
“Texas is the first state to require an annual physical fitness assessment of public school students,” state Education Commissioner Robert Scott said in a statement. “Today’s research results show that improving our children’s physical fitness can have positive results not only for the children, but also for the schools as well.” Read more in the Dallas Morning News.
The Midland Independent School District decided in 2005 to develop their own program to fight student obesity. With funding from an NCLB PEP grant, Gwen Smith, the PEP Grant Coordinator for the district, purchased a Califone PowerPro™ (PA919A) system through Troxell Communications (an authorized Califone dealer), for each of its 24 elementary schools. Read more about the case study.
