PE Teachers Often Absent on Elementary School Level

Tonya Papanikolas Reporting Educators across the country are worried that kids aren't getting enough physical fitness. A national report came out earlier this week saying PE is a low priority in many schools. It's a big concern in Utah as well.

Kids in elementary school may be getting a lot of their activity on the playground at recess instead of P.E. classes. Most grade schools don't have P.E. teachers. Regular teachers can teach the kids physical education, but the state says many of them don't feel equipped to do that.

We found some Kaysville Junior High kids playing a little flag football during P.E. Educators say the class is an important part of teaching kids to be physically active.

Aelia Alvarez, Kaysville Junior High P.E. Teacher: "I think it's getting harder for kids to just go out and play."

Statistics prove more kids are becoming inactive and overweight. Among youth six to 19 years old, 16-percent are overweight. That's more than 9-million kids across the country. And a third of high schoolers do not regularly engage in vigorous physical activity.

Doug Peterson, Kaysville Junior High P.E. Teacher: "Computer, Internet and video games takes up so much of their life."

To compound the problem, state officials say as schools strive to meet intense academic standards with programs like "No Child Left Behind", schools are de-emphasizing P.E.

Mel Olson, BYU Coaching Education Program: "School districts have a tendency to try to get more math and more science in their school. And physical education, in some cases, has been eliminated from the formula."

It's a very noticeable trend in grade schools. In Utah, the state estimates only 10-15 out of 40 districts employ certified PE teachers in elementary schools.

Keith Henschen, Exercise & Sports Science Professor, U of U: "It starts at junior high, and it should be starting at the elementary because our kids don't know how to play."

P.E. teachers at the junior high level say that's true for an increasing amount of students.

Aelia Alvarez: "It's like their first time where they've had to really run a certain distance, it's their first time throwing and catching."

As P.E. teachers try to reach these kids, they impart to students why staying fit is so important.

Michael King, 8th Grader: "If you start young, then you make it a part of every day."

P.E. teachers tell us they encourage kids to find something active they love to do, like dancing, swimming, hiking, even skateboarding, because then they're more likely to develop healthy habits.

And for those kids who aren't active, they say they just need to start slower and work their way up.

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