Physical Education Class Time: Very Few Idaho Schools Meet Recommendations

Background/Purpose: The National Association of Sport and Physical Education recommends elementary-aged students receive 150 minutes/week of physical education (PE) class time. Previous research has shown that approximately 20% of U.S. elementary schools meet the PE minutes/week recommendation. Research further suggests these trends differ based on geographic location. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence and distribution of Idaho public elementary schools meeting the PE minutes/week recommendation.

Method: A school staff member at all of the 347 regular Idaho public elementary schools (excluding charter and alternative schools) was contacted via telephone to obtain information about PE minutes/week. Data were obtained from 322 schools. School demographic information for 2010-11 was obtained from the National Center for Education Statistics. School practices were compared by race, school size, free and/or reduced-price lunch eligibility, and locale.

Analysis/Results: Only 2.8% of Idaho elementary schools are providing 150 minutes of PE/week. Furthermore, 89.7% of Idaho elementary schools are offering less than 90 minutes of PE/week. Elementary schools identified as rural and those with lower student enrollments were significantly more likely to offer at least 90 minutes/wk.

Conclusions: Policy change is needed in Idaho to increase PE minutes/week for elementary school children.