I recently read that in many school districts across California, it has been determined that classes such as marching band, JROTC, cheer, and others, no longer qualify for physical education credit as it is outlined by the National Association for Sport & Physical Education (NASPE). However, classes like marching band may better fulfill these standards than regular physical education courses.
It is absurd to believe that marching band does not fulfill every one of the six standards outlined by NASPE. According to the National Organization for Music Education (MENC), members of marching band participate in warm-up calisthenics, endurance training, and marching for miles. Not to mention that some students carry instruments weighing over twenty pounds!
Although I never played in the marching band, I have two older brothers who were heavily involved in the band. I used to watch them perform on the weekends, and in one Saturday they would perform a thirteen minute routine, and march several miles in a parade. Not to mention the numerous hours of practice they would have each week to prepare for these events. My older brothers would come home from practice, and events exhausted.
Not only does marching band give students the opportunity to participate in this high level of physical activity, it also allows for leadership. Both of my older brothers became section leaders and one was even given the role of assistant drum major. But even on top of all the hard work and dedication that marching band requires, there was still plenty of time for fun. These students become a family, and if you were to ask any student who participated in the program, they would more than likely tell you that marching band was the highlight of their high school career.
Now, thanks to NASPE, and the physical education teachers who are pushing to eliminate this, and other similar programs, from receiving PE credit, these programs are in jeopardy. However, there is now legislation in Sacramento that will allow these classes to continue to be substituted for PE credit. If passed, assembly bill AB351, co- authored by Assembly Members Mary Salas and Fiona Ma, will allow students enrolled in marching band, JROTC, cheer, and other similar courses to be exempt from taking physical education courses. Because these courses are academically challenging, physically demanding and provide important leadership skills, they should qualify for PE credit.
This bill has already been approved by the California Assembly Committee on Education, and is to be heard by the state assembly in the near future. The San Diego Unified School District grants its support for this bill, and I think that it is important for others to join in their support as well. If this bill does not pass, it is possible that these enriching activities may no longer be enjoyed by students. We all need to band together, to help this bill get passed, for the sake of these programs, and the students who participate in them.
http://www.aahperd.org/naspe/template.cfm?template=publications-nationalstandards.html
http://ab351.org/
http://www.menc.org/v/band/does-marching-band-physical-education
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I can't believe anyone would argue that these programs are less demanding than physical education. In fact, they're probably more so. High school gym classes do absolutely nothing to keep people in shape. I spent half of those classes sitting around doing nothing, and the other half trying to figure out how to do nothing. I probably stood for 45 minutes and ran for 5. Anyone can tell you that's not an effective fitness program. Plus, with things like marching band, you get to practice a useful skill at the same time. And for people who participate in marching band and cheer, it can be difficult to schedule things like PE into their already demanding lives.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't heard of that bill, but I have to say that I fully support it now. Education has already become too generic. The last thing our country needs is to limit students on what they can study and participate in. We need to help develop talent if we want our country to grow and keep up with the rest of the world.