San Benito County students are about as physically fit as their
peers throughout the state, fitness test results show but area
educators believe more needs to be done to make sure all students
are in shape.
Hollister – San Benito County students are about as physically fit as their peers throughout the state, fitness test results show but area educators believe more needs to be done to make sure all students are in shape.
The results of the 2004-2005 California Physical Fitness Test reveal that all California students need to shed some weight, run faster and increase upper body and abdominal strength – and San Benito County students are no different.
Each year, California’s fifth, seventh and ninth-graders must complete a fitness test that assesses students’ physical fitness in six areas including cardiovascular endurance, body composition or percentage of body fat, abdominal strength, trunk strength and flexibility, upper body strength and overall flexibility.
The most recent results show that in San Benito County, 24 percent of fifth graders, 28 percent of seventh graders and 33 percent of ninth graders met all six standards. All are down slightly compared to last year. By comparison, of the 1.3 million students tested in California, only 25 percent of fifth-graders, 29 percent of seventh graders and 27 percent of ninth-graders met all six standards.
Educators recognize that being fit is more important today than ever before and are striving to increase scores, San Benito High School Superintendent Jean Burns Slater said. Slater believes the slight drop means schools need to continue to strive to meet state standards.
“We have to stay vigilant – our whole society is more sedentary so we have to get our youth fit,” she said. “And our Physical Education department is working really hard to get those children in shape.”
The high school’s Physical Education department is in the process revamping its curriculum in order to make sure it matches state standards. The department will submit its revised curriculum to the district’s Board of Trustees in December for approval, Slater said. High school students are required to take two years of Physical Education and middle school students take Physical Education classes ever year.
During the classes, students play sports such as soccer, baseball, basketball and football, SBHS senior Stefany James said. Students also learn the basics of weight training and other fitness activities. James believes students have ample time to exercise during the day and have the opportunity to get in shape.
“There is plenty of time, you have 100 minute every other day to exercise,” she said. “And during class you stay pretty active the whole time.”
Boosting scores across the county will not be easy, but local educators are up to the challenge, San Benito County Superintendent of Schools Tim Foley said Tuesday.
“A sound mind and a sound body is always the goal we strive for,” he said. “I recognize the challenge presented by budget cuts – academics has to be our No. 1 priority, but we need to give these youngsters a lot of input about healthy living.”
Foley believes county schools should look into partnering with outside agencies such as the YMCA to improve students physical fitness and provide additional opportunities for them to get involved in active lifestyles. Foley also suggested that improving school nutrition, something many district officials are looking into, would lead to better test scores.
Despite the slight drop, test scores indicate that San Benito County is moving in the right direction at all grade levels and keeping pace with schools statewide, SBHS Physical Education Department Chairman Randy Logue said.
“I think that fitness is being pushed and we are on the right track to perform better on these tests,” he said. “The junior high teachers are doing a good job preparing students for the test and we have a great staff at the high school.”
On the mile run, considered the most essential test by state education officials since recent research ties good aerobic capacity to fewer health problems, San Benito County students are performing better than their peers. Statewide, 56 percent of students across all three grades met the cardiovascular goal compared to 59 in San Benito County.
“The mile is the hardest test,” Logue said. “But, if you can meet six out of six (standards) you are in pretty good shape.”
Although San Benito High School is working hard to improve scores, Logue believes there is room for improvement. Logue believes the high school’s facilities are outdated. He said new physical education facilities, such as a weight room and all-weather track, would help improve scores.
“We would be able to train better if we had better facilities,” he said.
Like others, Logue believes physical fitness is one of the cornerstones of a well-rounded education.
“Brain functioning and learning are tied directly to fitness and overall health,” he said. “If you’re lethargic it’s hard to be positively motivated.”
Brett Rowland covers education for the Free Lance. He can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 330 or [email protected].
