Imperial County students are less fit, on average, than their peers across California, according to state physical fitness test results released Wednesday.
The state physical fitness test assesses fifth-, seventh- and ninth-grade students in six categories — aerobic capacity, body composition, abdominal strength, trunk extension strength, upper body strength and flexibility.
Those that meet minimum fitness levels are classified in the “healthy fitness zone.” Students that don’t achieve a score in the fitness zone are classified “needs improvement” or “needs improvement – high risk.”
With a few exceptions, Imperial County students trail their counterparts in the state in almost all categories.
For instance, 63 percent of fifth-grade students in California are in the fitness zone for their aerobic capacity, with 28.6 percent needing improvement and 8.4 percent needing improvement – high risk.
In Imperial County, 50 percent of fifth-grade students are in the fitness zone for their aerobic capacity, with 39.3 percent needing improvement while 10.7 percent need improvement – high risk.
Statewide, 53.2 percent of fifth-grade students have a body composition in the fitness zone, with 13.1 percent needing improvement and 33.7 percent classified needs improvement – high risk.
On the other hand, 48.3 percent of fifth-grade students in Imperial County have a body composition in the fitness zone, with 14.7 percent classified “needs improvement” and 37 percent classified “needs improvement – high risk.”
There are some bright spots.
Seventh-grade students in Imperial County slightly outpaced the state average in trunk extension strength, with 89.4 percent in the fitness zone, versus the state average of 89.3 percent.
Local seventh- and ninth-grade students scored slightly above the state average in flexibility.
Statewide, 80.6 percent of seventh grade students and 84.7 percent of ninth grade students are in the fitness zone.
Locally, 80.7 percent of seventh grade students and 85.8 percent of ninth grade students are in the fitness zone.
“The scores tell schools how fit according to state standards their kids are,” said Jessica Salgado, assistant principal at T. L. Waggoner Elementary School in Imperial.
Salgado had an opportunity to assess students for the statewide test when she taught a fifth-grade class last year.
Children are tested over a two-month period beginning in March, she said. But, preparation for the test begins much earlier.
For instance, fourth-grade teachers help their students build their aerobic capacity by having them run during the physical education period, Salgado said. While they may run just half a mile, it pays off.
“We see amazing gains in aerobic capacity,” Salgado said. “Our fourth-grade teachers do a great job in preparing them.”
But why do Imperial County students achieve physical fitness scores below the state average?
“Obesity rates for young children are very high,” said Ron Garcia, superintendent of the Brawley Elementary School District.
Access to quality health care is also an issue locally, he said.
The Brawley Elementary School District is tackling the issue at a fundamental level.
“We’ve established a sound nutrition program,” Garcia said. “The food we provide to students on a daily basis has a good taste and is very healthy.”
Additionally, the Brawley Elementary School District has instituted a physical education program for students in kindergarten through sixth grade that focuses on movement rather than skills, he said.
“We started last year. We’re developing assessment tools. We want to see improvements in all areas. We want our kids to be fit,” Garcia said.
See www.ivpressonline.com[1] for complete test results.
Staff Writer Antoine Abou-Diwan can be reached at 760-337-3454 or aabou-diwan@ivpressonline.com[2]
Staff Writer Antoine Abou-Diwan can be reached at 760-337-3454 or aabou-diwan@ivpressonline.com
References
- ^ www.ivpressonline.com (www.ivpressonline.com)
- ^ aabou-diwan@ivpressonline.com (www.ivpressonline.com)
No comments :
Post a Comment