Save:
Marching Band
JROTC
CA Cadet Corps
Drill Team
Cheer/Dance Team
Color Guard
Interscholastic Athletics
Scroll down and click on links:Don't miss this link to the latest article on arts education in the Los Angeles Times!
1. Los Angeles Enrollment Drops: Two years ago the Los Angeles Unified School District stopped allowing PE credit for marching band. This file from LAUSD shows the dramatic drop in enrollment that followed in only two years time and the devastating impact it had on its entire marching band program. It is one of the reasons AB 351 is so important.
2. San Diego FITNESSGRAMS: The San Diego Unified School District studied the FITNESSGRAMS of its 9th grade class in 2008 and discovered that marching band students outperformed their peers by 18%. Looking at those exact same students in the 7th grade, SDUSD learned that they were already more physically fit and were the ONLY group to increase their physical fitness 7th months after entering high school...at all. You can see those studies below:
7th and 9th Grade FITNESSGRAMS
3. State Standards for PE: Take a look at state standards in PE across the country.
4. Indiana State University Study: Posted on YouTube, ESPN ran a story on a study by an Indiana State University physical education professor on the physical fitness of students in Drum Corps International. Write down the statistics as you watch the video. It's amazing!
5. Brunel University Study: Cited in the Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology in February, 2009, this study shows a 15% increase in endurance when walking on a treadmill in synchronous rhythm with music. Try doing it while blowing air through a 40 pound tuba!
6. Cornell University Study: This study's position is that they could find no evidence of correlation between increased physical education courses and a decrease in childhood obesity. In fact, for sedentary individuals, more physical education courses may be counterproductive.
7. Ayala High School Pedometers: This one is just plain fun. After watching the video, From the 50 Yard Line, students at Ayala High School in Chino Hills, California strapped a pedometer on one of their own to see how far he marched in one season. You'll be amazed! You can also follow the link under the "Video to Use" button to purchase From the 50 Yard Line, which includes footage of Fairfax High School marching band program in Los Angeles.
8. Texas Graduation Requirements: In 88% of states, students can earn either a PE credit or an exemption by participating in AB 351 programs. That's just common sense. In some states there is no PE requirement at all. Just for the record, this is what graduation requirements look like in Texas.