Field Trips & Obesity

Two headlines caught the eye recently: one opined on the demise of field trips because of budget shortages and the second related to pending legislation in Nevada that will require child care providers to take annual training about childhood obesity.

While the argument could be made that given a choice to cut a teacher or cut field trips, the choice is easy we should perhaps consider the original thought behind field trips. It was implemented to get students out of the classroom to experience real-life scenarios. To visit a museum, a drama, a science center, a zoo, a musical, a 911 call center, a firehouse, a ecological project and all the interesting things that many students will never see, hear, taste, or smell in their entire life times. An old Chinese proverb says, "A thousand miles traveled is better than 10,000 words read". Field trips should not be an either/or choice. It is too important for overall student development.

Encouraging is a bill from Senator Valerie Weiner, D-Las Vegas, that  requires training each year for child care providers in nutrition and fitness. The argument is made that these providers play a larger role in the child's health and development as 36% of children entering kindergarten in Nevada are overweight. I cannot agree more with this legislation and hope that the Nevada Senate passes it.
Michael Cordier

New CDC Report on Obesity

I did not see any coverage in the national media of a new report by the CDC on obesity in youth and adults. The CDC does not release anything unless all findings are well researched and documented. They do not release reports on the same topics often, ensuring research to take it's course. It is therefore pertinent to quote this report verbatim. Details can be found at the following link and highlights are my attributes to focus on the severity: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6002a2.htm?s_cid=mm6002a2_x

"In the United States, childhood obesity affects approximately 12.5 million children and teens (17% of that population). Changes in obesity prevalence from the 1960s show a rapid increase in the 1980s and 1990s, when obesity prevalence among children and teens tripled, from nearly 5% to approximately 15%. During the past 10 years, the rapid increase in obesity has slowed and might have leveled. However, among the heaviest boys, a significant increase in obesity has been observed, with the heaviest getting even heavier. Moreover, substantial racial/ethnic disparities exist, with Hispanic boys and non-Hispanic black girls disproportionately affected by obesity. Also, older children and teens are more likely to be obese compared with preschoolers.


In the short term, obesity in children can lead to psychosocial problems and to cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, high cholesterol, and abnormal glucose tolerance or diabetes. In one study, 70% of obese children had at least one additional cardiovascular risk factor, and 30% had two or more. Although the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in teens is very low, a recent report estimated that 15% of new diabetes cases among children and adolescents are type 2 diabetes. In the 1980s, type 2 diabetes in teens was virtually unheard of.


The prevalence of obesity among U.S. adults (34%) is twice that observed in children and translates into nearly 73 million adult men and women. On average, U.S. adults weigh 24 pounds more than they did in 1960, and they are at increased risk for health conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers. Although obesity prevalence has remained mostly flat in the past 10 years, the costs associated with obesity have increased substantially during the same period. One study estimated that approximately 9% of all medical costs in 2008 were obesity-related and amounted to $147 billion, compared with $78.5 billion 10 years before".


The report continues to discuss interventions that have taken place and make suggestions for other pro-active steps. It also shares some visuals to bring the message home:



You are encouraged to read the full report to understand the push from all angles to get kids healthier and fitter. It is of strategic and national interest.
Michael Cordier

What Happens at the End of Stimulus Money?

Michele McNeil posted (Politics K-12 - EdWeek 1/20/11) an interesting blog about funding in states and how much money is left from various stimulus funds. The table below includes Race to the Top funds in states such as Delaware and Tennessee while energy-rich states shows a strong reserve due to a constant income from those sources (Wyoming, Texas, and Alaska). But some states are running out of money fast and it will dratically impact education (Iowa, Arizona, and California). As reported last week, the California governor has already taken steps to redesign the Education Department. Iowa plans to cut all state funding for pre-school for four-year olds. The prediction is that more of these measures will follow around the country.

Leadership Roles in Education

It is true that any organization is only as good as it's leaders for planning, directing, and motivating workers to achieve goals and objectives. In a district or state education setting, many leadership positions are politically motivated appointees. There are the obvious problems with this practice such as payback or favors to certain groups or individuals, but the biggest issue is the expansion of a bureaucracy with more bosses than workers.

Recently the newly elected California Governor Jerry Brown (D) aannounced that he is eliminating the secretary of education post, saving $1.9 million a year. The savings is an indication of the amount of money attached to such an office. Think of staff, perks, office etc. and it adds up quickly but the next natural thought should be how many of these positions exist in state departments across the country.

In the case of California, the position of secretary of education was created in 1990 when conflict existed between a governor and an elected superintendent of public instruction from different parties. Talk about inflated egos! This was a constant power play between an elected official and an appointed official and the latter never gained much clout. In fact, during the seven-year tenure of the previous Governor Schwarzenegger, five secretaries of education revolved through the office. Sounds like a few 'buddies' built strong resumes this way!

Talking of leadership, school boards members are also under scrutiny where more than 90% are elected through school board elections and fewer than 10% are appointed. The issue here is the quality of people serving on schools boards to guide policy and oversee elementary and secondary education. School board members range from PhD's to folks who have not completed high school. EdWeek (1/12/11) asks if there should be a qualification process to serve on a school board? Seats are taken with virtually no preparation for the tasks that await them. Should there be ongoing training for school board members or can schools be managed without the current 13,809 school boards?

The idea of local governance is part of democracy as perceived by the public at large. It is fair to assume that school boards will be around forever but some form of preparation or training makes sense because the process of quality education is complex and vital.
Michael Cordier

New Year, New Congress

It seems so 'last year' when the buzz was all about standards-based teaching and teacher pay for performance. The RTT (Race to the Top) funding frenzy petered out like the flame of a burned-out candle. Some winning states even returned the money stating that the cost to make the changes required in the grant would cost more than the funds received. Unions got the message that mediocre was not good enough and silently made changes before legislation was forced on them. Fire brand advocates of the Secretary of Education seems to have disappeared into the bowls of bureaucracy where they emerged from two years ago.

The New Year's education headlines seems to be returning to the core of education: what is best for the student. Hallelujah! Washington State reports a proposal to create a single Education Department in lieu of multi-departmental units managing their education process. New York is appointing business professionals as school principals, and California is experimenting with year-round alternative schools with individualized instruction. Kentucky offers bonuses for student success in AP math and science.

The focus on the core subjects so dominant in the NCLB legislation is also receiving a new look. The debate has started about high school curricula being changed to better suit college entry and success, rather than measuring standards-based content. Environmental Education is being considered as a subject and ethnic-studies course are being debated.

The other 'big thing' in 2011 is the emergence of technology use in and outside of the classroom in the education process. Electronic readers, social media, cell phone apps and electronic blackboards are the rage on websites. Also enjoying a high profile is the streamlining and fine-tuning of virtual education. How to ensure social interaction, strong assessments, and applicable content - all online.

Looks like the New Year is all about saving money or do without money. When money s not in the equation the focus is on students and that is a good thing.
Michael Cordier

New Year's Resolutions

Christmas, like other family holidays, is characterized by good food and better company. It is therefore very common to start the New Year with resolutions that include eating healthier and losing weight. In short, exercise more.

This is a good time to look at exercise holistically, not to become a world athlete but to simply be happier and more productive. Join the 44% of Americans who will make resolutions for 2011in a few days and be sure to add more physical activity to that list. We all know the benefits of exercise to the waistline and to our hearts, but what other benefits will result from a brisk walk, cycle, or Wii Fitness?

For one, older people cut the risk of general dementia in half and their risk of Alzheimer's by 60% with regular exercise. It has been proven that one of the best ways to cope with stress and anxieties of life is through regular physical activity. Many experts say that exercise is a 'happiness booster'. Duke University found exercise to be generally as effective as drugs for treating depression.

These are preventative attributes but what about the role of exercise on mental development? This forum has posted numerous studies showing that exercise has positive influences on concentration, memory, and classroom behavior amongst students. We also reported on the fact that kids just moving around enhance intelligence, creativity and planning skills. Finally, large group studies shows a direct correlation between increased exercise and academic performance on standardized test scores.

We don't need a lot of exercise, just regularly. Join me to stay at it throughout 2011. See you on the road.
Michael Cordier

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