PHOENIX -- The Arizona Department of Public Education is looking for public input on a plan to update the state's schools' health and physical education standards.
Arizona Schools Chief Tom Horne said Friday, "These standards haven't been revised since 1997.
"The revisions will improve health education and physical education in the state of Arizona," said Horne. "Studies show students who are healthy physically perform better academically. I value the public's input in this process."
Statewide committees of 18 health education professionals and 13 physical education specialists have been involved simultaneously in the development of the updated Health Education and Physical Education Standards.
These diverse committees are comprised of representatives from urban areas (e.g. Phoenix Metropolitan area) and rural areas (e.g. Navajo Nation), small and large districts, and charter schools. The committees include participants from higher education, district leadership, and classroom teachers (elementary, middle, and high school).
The revision committee considers these drafts to be a fair, rigorous, and cohesive sequence of study.
The committee also feels it will give students the opportunity to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to be lifelong healthy consumers.
The DRAFT Health Education and Physical Education Standards Articulated by Grade Span are posted on the ADE website
www.ade.az.gov , accompanied by a feedback survey for public comment.
The DRAFT Health Education and Physical Education Standards Articulated by Grade Span has also been sent to external experts for feedback focusing on the document's comprehensiveness, sequencing, and coherence.
Six Public Forums will be held across the state during the month of August at the following locations:
Arizona Department of Education on August 6 from 5-7 p.m. At Central Building - 2005 N. Central, Conference Room 100, Phoenix, AZ 85004.
Window Rock High School on August 10 from 5-7 p.m. At Window Rock Auditorium - N. Route #12, Fort Defiance, AZ 86504.
Coconino County Regional Accommodation School District on August 11 from 5-7 p.m. At Ponderosa High School (Commons Area), 2384 N. Steves Blvd., Flagstaff, AZ 86004
Arizona Department of Education on August 24 from 5-7 p.m. At Central Building - 2005 N. Central, Phoenix, AZ 85004
State Government Complex on August 25 from 5-7 p.m. At 400 W. Congress (North Building Room 158), Tucson, AZ 85701
Yuma School District One on August 26 from 5-7 p.m. At 450 W. Sixth St (Board Room), Yuma, AZ 85364
