GOVERNOR CRIST SIGNS BILL TO REQUIRE PHYSICAL EDUCATION FOR STUDENTS IN GRADES K-5
May 17, 2007
Contact:
ERIN ISAAC
(850) 488-5394
DAVIE – Governor Charlie Crist today signed legislation that will ensure that public-school elementary students receive at least 150 minutes of physical education each week, or an average of 30 minutes each day. The goal is to help young students have good experiences with physical activity so they will choose a lifelong active lifestyle. Sponsors of House Bill 967 were Representative Will Weatherford (R-Wesley Chapel) and Senator Lee Constatine (R-Altamonte Springs).
“Every child should have physical activity every day because it will help increase the chances of a choosing a healthy lifestyle in years to come” Governor Crist said. “With childhood obesity on the rise, it is critical that we find ways to help children adopt healthy habits.”
The bill signing ceremony was held at the Miami Dolphins Training Facility in Davie. Governor Crist was joined at the ceremony by Miami Dolphins owner H. Wayne Huizenga and Dwight Stephenson, former Miami Dolphins center, 1980-87, and 1998 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee.
“There is no better place than Florida to enjoy a healthy lifestyle,” said Governor Crist. “We should be pro-active and committed to helping each other live healthier lives. Together we can shift the focus of health care in Florida from treating chronic diseases to preventing them.”
To ensure that physical educators have access to research regarding the most innovative teaching strategies, the bill requires the Florida Department of Education to review and revise the Sunshine State Standards regarding physical education to reflect state-of-the-art practices.
“Florida has the unique potential to become a national leader in health and physical fitness due to our beautiful climate and abundance of award-winning beaches, state parks, and greenways and trails,” said Governor Crist. “By utilizing these natural resources and developing partnerships among government, business, community organizations, and private citizens, we can accomplish the goal of improved physical fitness and health for all Floridians.”
The bill defines physical education as instruction that improves strength, agility, flexibility, movement, stamina, teamwork, fair play, and nutrition, and includes dance. The law goes into effect upon the Governor’s signature.
Earlier this month, Governor Crist appointed 20 members to the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness, created by Executive Order 07-52, to ensure the swift implementation of the bill as well as to develop a state plan of action to promote physical fitness and nutrition for all Floridians. The goal is to reduce the number of Floridians who suffer from chronic diseases resulting from obesity within the next 10 years.