County students tend to get healthier as they get older,
according to the results of the 2002-03 California Physical Fitness
Report.
Still, only 30 percent of the county’s youth in grades five,
seven and nine are considered fit. Statewide, only 25 percent of
students tested in those three grades met that mark.
In the past, the report’s numbers have been disappointing to
educators, especially since the test’s requirements are not that
stiff.
County students tend to get healthier as they get older, according to the results of the 2002-03 California Physical Fitness Report.
Still, only 30 percent of the county’s youth in grades five, seven and nine are considered fit. Statewide, only 25 percent of students tested in those three grades met that mark.
In the past, the report’s numbers have been disappointing to educators, especially since the test’s requirements are not that stiff.
Joyce Medeiros, coordinator of the test for the Aromas-San Juan Unified School District, said the test is student-friendly.
“The tests are friendly for kids. They should be able to meet the minimum score,” Medeiros said.
The test for aerobic capacity required students to finish running a mile in 12 minutes, something most people can do walking, she said.
The fitness test assesses six major fitness areas – aerobic capacity (cardiovascular endurance), body composition (percent of body fat), abdominal strength and endurance, trunk strength and flexibility, upper body strength and endurance and overall flexibility.
“These results are discouraging and show that the fitness level of students in California public schools remains low,” said Jack O’Connell, superintendent of public instruction for the state. “The small percentage of students meeting minimum requirements for physical fitness is a major concern. Recent studies show there is compelling evidence that links physical fitness with academic achievement.”
Compared to the state, students in San Benito County did better in the six categories in ninth grade, but did worse in fifth grade. Seventh graders beat the state in four categories, but fell short in the other two.
Locally, the ASJUSD did well, with between 55.9 and 99 percent of students meeting the minimum requirement in at least one category.
“The reason our school district does better than the county is because we have P.E. for elementary students,” Medeiros said.
“Every day, we stretch, run, do push-ups and crunches. We’re (the P.E. teachers) like their personal trainers,” she said jokingly.
Students in grades kindergarten through five exercise four days a week for 35 minutes. Students in grades six through eight meet every day for 45 minutes.
“They come into the test feeling very confident,” Medeiros said.
The district had students meet the requirement, or score in the healthy fitness zone, in the 90th percentile in seven categories. None in the state and only one category in the county scored in the 90s.
Hollister School District students scored above the state in all categories. Highest was trunk extension with 93.8 percent of seventh graders in the healthy fitness zone. Lowest was body composition for fifth graders at 57.8 percent meeting the minimum.
Ninth graders at San Benito High School were in the 60th, 80th and 90th percentiles of meeting the requirements in the six categories.
Representatives from both districts could not be reached for comment.
Aerobic capacity has proven to be the most important fitness area of the six, according to the state, but it had the poorest showing. Only about half of the students across the three grades in the state and 60 percent of those in the county met the minimum standard.
Educators push for families to impart the importance to children of being healthy and active.
“The state wants families to help also by initiating family activity,” Medeiros said.
This is the fourth year for reporting physical fitness test results in California public schools, since the assessment was re-established by Assembly Bill 265. The law requires that school districts administer a physical fitness test, designated by the State Board of Education, to all fifth, seventh and ninth graders annually.
The 2003 physical fitness results are available at www.cde.ca.gov/statetests/pe/pe.html.