Studies have long shown that students perform better when they are physically fit. A new study released Friday makes that point specifically about Delaware students.
The research, developed by a partnership between the Delaware Department of Education (DDOE) and Nemours Health and Prevention Services (NPHS) shows students in Delaware schools who are physically active and fit perform significantly better in both mathematics and reading. The study also finds that Delaware students who are less fit not only score lower academically, but also tend toward more disciplinary problems like absenteeism and suspensions.
“First and foremost, this is the first time we’ve had Delaware data on this and that’s important to Delaware residents and Delaware educators to have home-grown data.” said Dave Nichols of NPHS.
The NHPS/DDOE study analyzed physical fitness and educational records of more than 80,000 students for the 2008-09 and 2009-10 school years. Educational data came from scores reported in the Delaware Student Testing Program (DSTP), and physical fitness was measured and recorded through an assessment program known as FitnessGram.
Nichols points at that while the study shows little variation between Delaware students and the national norms, this research goes a step further by ranking student performance on an individual level. He says other states lump results together by school, but the NPHS/DDOE collaboration offers a statewide student snapshot.
“We controlled for race and ethnicity, family income, sex and school district.” said NPHS researcher Robin Brennan, “That gives us a clearer picture of the performance of the students on an individual level.”
The study makes a recommendation that students at the elementary school level get 150 minutes a week of physical activity.
“When students get outside, when they exercise, they do better in school and in life,” said Governor Jack Markell (D) during the announcement of the study’s results at Pulaski Elementary School in Wilmington. Gov. Markell told students assembled in the school’s gym that parents and teachers can help young people make better choices, but in the end their physical fitness, and academic performance are the result of the choices they make.
Study of Delaware kids reinforces link between fitness and student performance
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According to John Ray, a physical education specialist for the state’s Department of Education, there are no statewide requirements outlining how much activity schools must provide. But, he points out that the 150 minute benchmark is a standard recommendation from DDOE. That 150 minutes of physical activity a week breaks down to 30 minutes a day.
“One hundred fifty minutes of gym class may be unrealistic,” says Ray, “but creative curriculum, like one class that exercised while doing a spelling lesson can help fill the bill. There are a lot of different ideas out there, because kids like to move.”
“We all know the connection between physical activity and high achievement.” said State Representative Terry Schooley. As chair of the House Education Committee she expects it may be difficult to create a statewide mandate for in-school fitness programs in light of the amount of time being devoted to Race to the Top efforts.
Gov. Markell, however, is clearer in his message. He believes the responsibility for a student’s physical fitness and scholastic excellence falls on the parents and the child, as well as the schools. Markell also suggests it’s best for the individual districts to set their own standards, and he’d like to see them use the study’s recommendations as a guideline.
