Education Law

What really works to increase student achievement

In this age of education reform, schools are constantly pressured to improve test scores and increase other measures of student achievement.  In theory, these goals are considered very important, because the more the child knows, the better he or she will be able to succeed in life.  However, sometimes what schools do to address these goals produce an opposite outcome.

What does BoardBuzz mean by that?  Case in point:  Many schools have cut physical education and recess in hopes of having more ?classroom time? so that kids can learn more.  That seems logical, doesn?t it?  In order to increase academic achievement, you need to have more time with students in the classroom, teaching the subjects they will be tested for, right?

As a matter of fact, it is not that simple.  Some school leaders have found that such approaches are ineffective and counter-productive.  They have learned that youth need recess and physical activity in order to be more attentive and productive in class, and to be healthier to take on the challenge of doing well in school.  And now there is clear data supporting this conclusion.

BoardBuzz took a look at a new document released by the CDC on April 14, 2010 that compiles a thorough review of the research on the association between school-based physical activity and academic performance.  The review includes indicators of cognitive skills and attitudes such as attention/concentration, memory and mood; academic behaviors such as on-task behavior and attendance; and academic achievement such as grades and test scores.

The document shows that there is substantial evidence that physical activity can help improve academic achievement and have an impact on cognitive skills, attitudes and academic behavior.  Given these findings, the document recommends that schools increase the amount of time spent in physical education and/or increase the quality of their physical education program.  In addition, schools should have recess, classroom-based physical activity, as well as extracurricular physical activities.

Go figure, sometimes what seems illogical is, in fact, logical.  So BoardBuzz is happy that a lot more people are starting to see that increasing and not cutting physical activity is essential for student success ? even the first lady!

Full post as published by BoardBuzz: NSBA's Daily Weblog on April 16, 2010 (boomark / email).