Schools
Governor Vetoes Physical Education Bill
The bill would require students from Kindergarten to eighth grade to participate in 150 minutes of physical education each week.
Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell vetoed a bill this week which, if passed, would required all Kindergarten through eighth grade students in public schools to spend 2.5 hours in gym class each week.The bill requires that schedule to be in place by 2014.
School districts and teachers throughout the state opposed the unfunded mandate. If approved, it would require local school districts to provide its funding.
“In my Inaugural Address I stated very clearly that Washington does not always know better than Richmond, and equally, that Richmond does not always know better than Fairfax or Galax,” McDonnell said in a press release. “I have long opposed significant unfunded mandates passed from one level of government to another. Thus, I cannot in good conscience sign this legislation.”
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The bill also requires local school boards to create a similar program for high school students, however a date for implementation was not mentioned.
“While the objective of this legislation is laudable, the proposed means of accomplishment is problematic,” the governor said. “In addition, the mandated time for physical education would exceed the time dedicated to any other subject.”
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The reforms to physical education were just a part of the bill's overall objective. It also called for the creation of a Standards of Learning (SOL) objective to become the core of the state's educational program. The bill described the SOL as tools designed to “ensure the development of the skills that are necessary for success in school and for preparation for life in the years beyond.” Minimally, schools in the Commonwealth would have to adhere to SOL objectives in English, math, science, history and social sciences. The bill would have required local school boards to implement a program of instruction for all grade levels.
Additionally, the bill called for local school boards to develop and implement programs to help prevent low-performing students from dropping out, as well as intervention and remediation programs for students having significant academic trouble.
Some other provisions mentioned in the bill include:
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The implementation of career and technical education programs in grades all grades that give students knowledge of all types of employment opportunities including apprenticeships, entrepreneurship and small business ownerships.
Early identification of students with disabilities and enrollment of said students in appropriate instructional programs.
Early identification of gifted students and enrolling them in appropriately differentiated instructional programs.
The identification of students with limited English proficiency and enrolling them in the appropriate programs.
The early identification, diagnosis and assistance for students with reading and math problems and providing them with instructional strategies to help their development.
The incorporation of art, music and physical education as part of the instructional program at the elementary school level.
A student services program for all students at all grade levels.
The General Assembly will consider the governor's veto when they reconvene in April.