Current Events
No Room To Play Update: NYC DOE is Breaking the Law by Not Providing Physical Education Programs
New York City children have no room to exercise. Schools that have gyms throw 50+ children in at a time, to stand around, throw a ball (IF there are any), or do nothing. Stare at people. Many children hate gym time so much that they volunteer to clean the bathrooms rather than go. This is against the law, but the NYC Department of Education is not doing anything about it, City Council is.
Fitness Classes Fall Short in Many Schools, Panel Says By ASHLEI N. STEVENS, NY TIMES, June 22, 2004 New York City is failing to provide regular physical education classes in many of its elementary, middle and high schools, in violation of state law, according to a report released yesterday by the City Council's Education Committee. A 2001 survey found that 41 percent of elementary schools and 23 percent of high schools did not provide regular physical education classes, the report says. It also states that 55 percent of elementary schools either have no playgrounds or cannot use them while 62 percent of middle and high schools do not have a weight room. "I think we're shortchanging kids who have a variety of talents, whether it's in the arts or music or in athletics," said Eva S. Moskowitz, the chairwoman of the committee, who said her panel had worked for the last six months compiling information on the lack of sports and physical education. Officials agreed that many schools lacked adequate facilities, teachers and programs, though they could not provide exact numbers. "For years in this system, we've neglected fitness and physical education," said Lester W. Young Jr., senior executive for youth development and school-community services at the Department of Education. "It's taken a back seat to the other curriculums." He said the schools needed more space and facilities, as well as trained staff. According to the report, the Department of Education has proposed spending an additional $338 million in capital funds for physical education in its five-year plan beginning in 2005, up from the $3.1 million now allotted in the 2000-04 plan. Ms. Moskowitz said the increase would be a step forward but significantly below the $992 million the City Council estimated that it would take to update facilities in its own 2003 report on the subject. Ms. Moskowitz's report also recommended reducing the size of physical education classes, which often have as many as 50 students each. It also calls for offering tax breaks to organizations that lend recreational space to the schools. |