Nutrition Bill Passed

Almost 5 years in the making, the child nutrition bill called Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act came to pass in the House of Representatives and is heading to the President who will sign it immediately. It will require that the USDA updates the national standards to get soda and junk food out of school vending machines, a la carte, and school stores.  

The child nutrition bill also includes important provisions to increase funding and technical support to improve the nutritional quality of school meals, strengthen local school wellness policies, make it easier for qualified children to receive free school meals, extend after-school meals to more at-risk children, and provide funding for farm-to-school programs.

Opponents criticized it as government's interference with freedom of choice and control over the complete food chain. It is tough to argue against hungry students but some of my fondest memories are the pies and toffees I obtained from the school store with hard-earned pocket money. P & J sandwiches only went so far on the taste buds scale!

Obscure in this marvelous piece of legislation is a report from the Chronicle in Sacramento that the California Appeals Court ruled that parents can take their children's public school to court to force educators to provide the minimum amount of physical education required by law! California's education code requires elementary schools to offer 200 minutes of PE every 10 days and 400 minutes in middle or high schools - not including lunch or recess. A small study found that more than half the schools failed to provide the required minutes of PE. Oops!

Finally the court gave teeth to 'feel-good' legislation. Combine this with recent legislation from Texas that discarded the 'opt-out' clauses for participation in PE, I dare say that momentum is building to the day that PE takes it's rightful place in the core curriculum.
Michael Cordier

Impact of Sleep on Learning and Weight

UCLA researchers found that children who don't get enough sleep might wind up with an overweight body. Looking at sleep patterns of 1,900 children between the ages of 1 and 13, they found that children maintaining less than 10 hours of sleep a night had an 80% more probability of being obese. The study furthermore found that naps during the day did not offset the effect. The believe is that a lack of nighttime sleep throws off key hormones that affect weight and metabolism.

So how much sleep is needed per 24 hours?
Birth - 2 months: 12 - 18 hours
3 - 11 months: 14 - 15 hours
1 - 3 years: 12 - 14 hours
3 - 5 years: 10 - 11 hours
10 - 17 years: 8.5 to 9.5 hours
Adults: 7 - 9 hours
Insufficient sleep is also associated with chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and depression. The promotion of regular sleep is referred to as 'sleep hygiene'. Here are some simple sleep hygiene tips:

• Go to bed at the same time each night, and rise at the same time each morning.
• Sleep in a quiet, dark, and relaxing environment, which is neither too hot nor too cold.
• Make your bed comfortable and use it only for sleeping and not for other activities, such as reading, watching TV, or listening to music.
• Remove all TVs, computers, and other "gadgets" from the bedroom.
• Avoid physical activity within a few hours of bedtime.
• Avoid large meals before bedtime.

Michael Cordier

Dance and Core Academics

In an April 2011 speech, Secretary of Education, Arnie Duncan made the point that "for decades, arts education has been treated as though it was the novice teacher at school - the last hired and the first fired when times get tough". He was echoing a sentiment of many prominent educators who have championed the inclusion and/or expansion of arts in schools. Dance in particular has suffered as the smallest of the four art forms.

But that is changing. EdWeek reported on an elementary school in Maryland where students execute dance movements to simulate the elements of photosynthesis, including water, sunlight, carbon dioxide, and chlorophyll. They leaned, reached, and flowed with surprising grace. Want to bet that the retention and understanding of this lesson is much higher?

And that is the point. Cross curriculum or mutual learning takes place when core subjects are matched with rhythm and movement. GeoMotion, a company based in Orlando, FL, has developed a mat with numbers on it. By following the numbers and directional ques, students integrate math and other core subjects while working out. Their 'Meaningful Movement' program is based on integrated learning and it makes sense - it addresses all the levels of optimal learning to include:

• Rhythmical / Musical
• Visual / Spatial
• Body / Kinesthetic
• Auditory / Verbal
• Mathematical / Logical
• Interpersonal
• Intrapersonal

Very few teaching tools can claim the inclusive approach to learning. Does this mean that every teacher must be a dancer as well? Obviously not - but why not? The research sited on this blog in the past confirms over and over that cardiovascular activities increases learning without decreasing test scores if time is taken away from 'regular' classes.

A survey taken in 2000 indicated that only 14% of schools offered any form of dance (excluding PE activities).  Now 36 states offer K-12 teaching credentials in dance. The growth is spurted mainly through PE programs and is increasingly taught as an art form or exercise form. Purists maintain that the art of dance uses movement to create meaning about the human experience and is far more that just art or exercise. Irrespective, dance and other forms of art programs provides a variety of academic and social benefits to students. It seems a powerful way to to promote critical thinking and creativity amongst other skills.

It's time to put on those tapping shoes!
Michael Cordier

Hot Topics for November!

Now that everyone has weighted in on bullying - from People Magazine to the White House -  I am still confused by the definition of bullying. Is it physical contact, verbal abuse, false third-party stories or all of the above? The physical connotation I get. High school freshman year flash-backs confirm that on. Belittling and 'talk-down' is clear as well. But when someone writes something nasty about another on FaceBook and the ego suffers a bit, is it bullying? It certainly is when the ego is crashed to the point of suicide as recently happened. But where does one draw the line? There will always be someone louder, bigger, and meaner around - irrespective of age and circumstance. Its called 'life' and the nature of humankind. Should we then try to legalize morality to protect perceptions if actions cannot be defined?

Then there was the midterm elections and a dramatic shift in the political balance that could have a huge influence on education in the future. The National Education Association spent $40 million dollars to campaign for candidates from the Democratic Party. But the chairmanship for the committee dealing with educational affairs will be replaced by a Republican due to the House majority. Suddenly the Race to the Top program is in jeopardy, the reauthorization of the 'No Child Left Behind' can change again, and decentralization of education is back on the burner. All I know is that a strong opposition is healthy in any democracy, irrespective the ruling party.

Did you hear about predictions that online learning will overtake traditional classrooms in the next decade? The Los Angeles Times reports that there is no substitute for in-person classroom teaching but that type of education will become the minority by 2020.  Hopefully education leaders will not use it as an excuse to properly maintain real-life buildings!

In Scotland, primary schools are piloting philosophy to improve students' critical thinking and listening skills. Students are engaged in discussions on topics such as society, leadership, and which is better: being strong or being clever. Teachers report that "they have seen clear changes in their listening, in the way they express themselves and how they think". Seems like Plato and Aristotle had it right all this time. Who would have thought?
Michael Cordier

World issues on Education

Education headlines in America report on funding issues, political shifting, integration issues, charter school dominance, and union entitlements amongst still-declining budgets. These are noble issues to discuss but pales in comparison with happenings around the world. Perspective is sometimes necessary to understand how well students and teachers have in America.

In South Africa a recent study reported that as much as 70% of SA's public schools are dysfunctional. This is an education sector in crisis. Politicians long for a general society that were united on education issues as manifested at the end of Apartheid era. The South African Democratic Teachers Union declared that South Africa was running out of time  to improve the system that impacts the lives of 12 million students attending public schools.

The Philipines is trying to meet a shortfall of 70,000 classrooms while legislation is proposed to add two more years of basic education that will require another 55,000 classrooms. Imagine not having an option of even a dilapidated building to host students.

Sweden led the charge to inspire other countries to adopt the 'free schools' model that was developed two decades ago. Ten percent of the government funded schools are run by religious groups and several have been cited for misconduct. Turns out that at least one school received money from a group that is also funding the Taliban and al-Quida. And we thought the Tea Party was radical.

In Kenia a need was raised for major changes in Kenyan schools. A standardized test used to determine whether children should progress from eight grade to high school was dropped or changed. The government's response was that reforms ' must not be rushed'. In New Zealand teachers delayed a strike to continue bargaining for better benefits. Sounds familiar? As recently as last year Hawaii teachers opted to teach four days a week rather than take a small pay cut to teach a full week - costing Hawaii students almost 40 less days of school.

Students do not have a vote, cannot dictate policy, cannot enforce best practices or build classrooms. Adults are in charge and maybe, just maybe the wise can take a page from the young ones who so desperately want to learn.
Michael Cordier

Higher Education for Me?

It would be easy to report on a wonderful 5-acre urban garden project in Arlington, VA where inner city students get the experience to plant, care and grow vegetables in 19 plots as part of their community service work. Where one high school senior commented that she did not know that sweet potatoes grew underground until the garden project.

 

Equally noteworthy is the hard-core fitness program developed by PE teacher, Orlandus Thomas at Comer Preparatory School, a charter school in Chicago. There, music fills the air and students never stops from moving - except when they participate in a cooking class or have discussions about healthy nutrition.

 

But what caught the attention is a Canadian report this week concluding that many young students set their sights on university or college much earlier than believed - before they arrive in Grade 9! The Toronto Globe & Mail reports that  research shows that almost half of low-income students make their decision about post-secondary education before they even set foot in high school, regardless of the financial burden. 

 

As the USA and other countries try to curb drop-out rates amongst high schoolers, education agencies should be challenged to rethink their approach as attitudes about higher education is just as important as access to it. It seems that a strategy needs to be developed at elementary and middle school levels to encourage adolescents and teens to start choosing career paths with the possibility of attending college or university.

 

 In the study of 10,000 low-income secondary students it was found that for every teen influenced by parents or culture to obtain post-secondary education, others receive little input. Furthermore, it’s these late deciders who are much more likely to leave university or college without graduating.

 

Neither mom or dad attended university the household I grew up. Since I could remember there was no option for any of the kids. We were raised with the notion that we will go to university. We all did. The thought of the consequences if we did not weight far too heavy! Thank Mom. Thanks Dad.

Michael Cordier

Nutrition and Legislation

In the past we have reported that the government is not capable of telling parents what their children can or cannot eat, but can legislate what can be served in public institutions supported by tax dollars such as schools. The government can demand healthier burgers, limited or no sugary sodas, low-fat milk, wholewheat bread and so forth when they pay for it. In fact, health advocates have sought for more than ten years now to get legislation passed to such effect and made major overtures to major food and beverage companies to support this cause. Finally everyone is on the same page but there is one caveat: better food choices cost more and who is going to pay for it?

First Lady Michelle Obama has lobbied aggressively for the proposed Child Nutrition Bill as part of her "Let's Move" program. She installed a fresh vegetable garden at the White House and addressed the Senate and House on this issue. She 'made an extensive outreach' to the Speaker of the House to rally support for the Child Nutrition Bill but to no avail.

One hundred and six Democrats could not stomach the thought that money from the Food Stamps fund be taken to pay for part of the $4.5 billion cost of the Child Nutrition Bill and voted against the bill. As a result, the bill is back to the drawing board. Obviously legislators have being eyeing large pots of money for different usages.

Even if the bill is approved after the elections it is only the first step in revamping school lunches. No clear guidelines exist to determine what kinds of foods could be sold or what ingredients may be limited. The Agriculture Department will decide that. It is fair to say that we need to get ready for a real food fight!
Michael Cordier

PE and Concussions

Looking at my nephew recently it dawned on me how much taller and bigger today's teenagers and young men appear to be compared to my youth. Seems like they started hitting the weight room at a much younger age or they are consuming some strange substance containing growth hormones!

So it was fascinating to read in the media that the number of sports-related concussions reported by young athletes is on the rise, prompting awareness campaigns from athletic- and medical groups to set minimum standards for concussion management not unlike steps taken recently by the National Football League. Even politicians are getting into the fray as the House Education and Labor Committee is planning to introduce legislation in this regard.

A study published in September in the medical journal, Pediatrics, noted that visits to the emergency room for concussions for children ages 8 to 19 had doubled from 1997 to 2007. In came despite a decrease in participation in organized sport. Furthermore, the U.S. Government Accountability Office released a report on concussion in high school sports that said there was no mechanism to track overall estimate of occurrence, but the injuries may be under reported because of athletes not wanting to be removed from games (EdWeek, Sept, 2010).

This 'macho' image is understandable amongst teenagers but unacceptable from coaches. One cannot simply shake off a hard knock, or 'walk it off' as some coaches prefer to handle it. A coach can't be everywhere, can observe all parts of a play, or prevent students from hitting harder. But they can intervene immediately when having any doubts and that is where awareness education should be focused.

How does this relate to PE? Any PE professional will tell you that a proper PE program teaches anatomy and physiology in addition to practical applications: how to roll, fall, run, kick, dive, tackle, and so on. Practical skills to be applied anywhere and in any sport. Somehow this fact escapes the legislators, medical professionals,  and week-end coaches. It is one of the reasons that there are over 500 middle and high schools with the emphasis on sports in the U.K. called Sports Colleges: to produce better prepared sportsmen and women at club and national levels - and prevent injuries where possible.

As for my nephew, he beats me in arm wrestling. I am OK with it. Chess is a different matter.
Michael Cordier

3 million TX Students Can't Be Wrong

Recently the results of the Texas Youth Fitness Study was announced. It provided an in-depth analysis and evaluation of data collected through state-mandated health-related fitness testing of all public school children in Texas, from grades 3 through 12. James Martin and Scott Morrow from the University of North Texas co-authored the document and presents key findings and issues associated with fitness in Texas.

Key points include:

• Higher physical fitness test achievement is related to higher state academic test scores and higher attendance, fewer negative school incidents and overall school quality, as indicated by the state ranking system (exemplary, recognized, acceptable, or unacceptable);
• Teachers work hard to conduct important and quality testing and do a good job of testing despite often challenging school settings;
• Teachers share their positive and negative experiences and provide ways to improve testing in challenging school settings and for large-scale testing across a state;
• Reliability and validity of large-scale testing is good; and suggestions for testing in challenging school settings and in large-scale testing for regional, state, and national settings are provided.

The study funded by the Robert Woods Johnson Foundation was coordinated by the Cooper Institute. The study's focused on the relation between fitness test achievement and academic achievement; the reliability and validity of fitness testing with large samples; teacher interviews regarding large-scale fitness testing; psychosocial variables related to cardiorespiratory fitness and body mass index, and school and teacher characteristics associated with fitness test achievement.

Clearly, the proof of the pudding is in the eating and any doubts about the impact of physical activity on academic performance can be put to bed. Student behavior modification as a result of physical activity was an interesting component. Obviously, healthy students as a whole perform better and behave better. If 3 million Texas students can't be wrong, why are physical education not a bigger part of every school, every day?
Michael Cordier

Our Priorities Backward?

Over the years billions of dollars have been spent on ELL programs in schools and rightly so. These programs help students who have a different home language than English to get up to speeed in regular schooling. In addition, billions are spent on Title 1 programs to provide day care, after school programs, and school meals to students from under-priviledged communities. This spending is equally neccesary to improve scholastic performance and create safe environments for children to function properly. Add to that the discretionary spending of $5 billion dollars by the Secretary of Education in the Race to the Top money (to improve schools, student assessment, and teacher development), and it is clear that education speding is doing well.

Obviously a lot of tax payer money goes to the upliftment of our student population so it is with trepedation to learn about federal funding for gifted education being on the verge of elimination. Christina Samuels from Education Week reports that the ONLY funding at federal level for gifted education (Jacob Javits Gifted  and Talented Education Act) might be cut. If it was to the amount of billions one could emphasize with such a decision but it is a measly $7.5 million - a drop in the education-spending bucket. To blame the current administration will not be fair as the program was repeatedly dropped during the previous administration.

Two issues comes to mind:
1) How can we afford not to support the one segment of our student population that will guarantee academic performance;
2) Why is the amount so small to develop the gifted in our society who has the best potential to become leaders in any field they choose?

It is unimaginable that China or India place such a small premium on their best and brightest. It is equally unimaginable to assume that gifted students will excell without any help. But the most scary part is the fact that there is no federal mandate to provide gifted education. This means local districts dictates the services provided and a lot of the Javits program money goes to teacher training to accommodate gifted students in some shape or form.

I was not a gifted student but I grew up with a few. One committed suicide in our junior year because he hated school and was bored out of his mind. The system failed him. How many others with such potential has suffered as well?
Michael Cordier