MEQUON-THIENSVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF EDUCATION

Transcription

1 MEQUON-THIENSVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF EDUCATION EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Subject: Action to Approve High School Physical Education Credit Waiver Option Attachments: DPI Considerations Regarding PE Requirement Change November 19, 2012 School Board Executive Summary October 29, 2012 PE Waiver Administrative Memo Strategic Goal: N/A Category: X Action Date for Consideration: December 17, 2012 Objective: N/A Background: Creating a physical education waiver policy in alignment with state statutes changes was discussed at the November 2012 School Board meeting (executive summary attached). The change at the state level pertaining to physical education has provided the Mequon-Thiensville School Board with the opportunity to allow students to apply participation in an organized physical activity towards their physical education requirement. Specifically, the section reads: A school board may allow a pupil who participates in sports or in another organized physical activity, as determined by the school board, to complete an additional 0.5 credit in English, social studies, mathematics, science, or health education in lieu of 0.5 credit in physical education. (Act 105) The following administrative recommendation was made to further School Board discussion in November: The School Board should utilize its authority granted by this change in physical education credits. The recommendation is to create an option for a limited number of students (60 sophomores or juniors) in the school year to use WIAA sports in lieu of a.50 physical education credit to take an additional English, social studies, math, or science class. Details of this recommendation can be found in the October 29, 2012 memo (attached). Follow Up From November 2012 School Board Discussion: A series of questions were developed as a result of the November School Board discussion. Some questions reflected the DPI Considerations Document (attached). The responses to the questions generated at the November 19 School Board are below. The potential risks associated with the topics presented in the questions are also included in this response to assist in the School Board decision making. 1

2 Responses to Questions Posed at November School Board Meeting 1. What are the implications if the pilot program option presented at the November meeting is not limited to sixty students? There is a level of risk associated with not limiting the number of students in a pilot. If more students than sixty choose the option presented, there could be significant changes in staffing in physical education, English, social studies, science, and mathematics. For example, more than sixty students could mean the loss of current physical education staff in a pilot situation that might be deemed not worthy of continuing beyond In other words, changes in staffing might be temporary and result in the disruptions in the physical education staffing K-12. If the pilot does proceed as limited to sixty students and interest through student registration exceeds sixty, the sixty students for the pilot would be chosen from the juniors first then sophomores. If this approach does not assist in reaching the maximum of sixty, a lottery system would need to take place. This necessary approach may lead to frustration by students and parents. This could be compounded when some students then choose later to not complete the process. 2. Are there inequities for students who don t meet the requirement to participate in a sport or other organized physical activity? The statute only addresses the ability of the school board to offer this option to students in a sports or in another organized physical activity. DPI cautions in their guidance documents that discriminatory practices must be avoided. For example, sports at the high school are currently selective in whom they include on the team (i.e. cut sports). This could further complicate the issue of inequity. A potential risk or unexpected consequence of moving forward with a waiver could lead to an impact on the district s approach to the participant selection in sports. 3. Is the pilot proposed in November 2012 an onerous task that puts a burden on coaches and school counselors? While the activities and athletic director and high school counseling coordinator do not feel this would be a challenge administratively, there are some requirements or results of the waiver that could be time consuming for all involved. For example, students would need to provide proof of activity enrollment at the time of registration. Students must understand the expectations at the beginning of the process. If a student does not follow through, meetings with the counselor and student would be needed to address a change in the student s plan for graduation requirements. A potential concern that would place new expectations on coaches would be question regarding students finishing in the season in good standing. Questions regarding good standing for individual students could lead to additional administrative and coach meetings. 4. Is there enough time to make this happen for the school year? A final decision must be made by the School Board by December 2012 in order to make proper registration procedures. 2

3 5. What are some of the other comparable school districts doing? The following information was collected regarding the four Wisconsin school districts MTSD benchmark. It is important to note that no Act 105 Policy has been enacted in these four school districts (two school districts have considered it already and two school districts are preparing to consider). District Current Status Regarding PE Arrowhead High School Act 105 Policy consideration last year (no policy enacted) Summer physical education (over 400 students) offered Offer zero hour physical education Brookfield East and Act 105 Policy consideration last year (no policy enacted) Central High Schools Summer physical education offered Offer zero hour physical education Nicolet High School No current Act 105 Policy (board committee discussion stage) Accept BYU online PE course (at student s expense) No online or summer physical education (discussion stage) Whitefish Bay High No current Act 105 Policy (administrative level discussion stage) School No online or summer physical education Offer zero hour physical education December Administrative Recommendation of Options to the School Board: As a result of feedback from the November School Board meeting, the following options for the School Board are recommended at this time. These options are based upon review of the feedback including the information shared earlier in this report. In addition, the district mission, vision, and guiding principles are important in this decision-making process. All options presented are time sensitive and need to be acted on at the December School Board meeting. School Board Options Available in December 2012 for the School Year: Option #1: Take no action at this time on Act 105. Option #2: Proceed with the pilot model for sophomores and juniors as presented at the November School Board meeting. Note: The administration does not recommend proceeding with the pilot model without a limit of sixty students due to the potential risks referenced in this report (i.e. staffing, equity, conflicts, etc.) Option #3: Do not act on the Physical Education wavier allowed through the ACT 105 legislation; Offer an alternative Physical Education credit obtainment option through the creation of a zero hour physical education course. Option #4: Enact the Act 105 Physical Education pilot with a cap of 60 students AND enact the zero hour Physical Education option. Future options for consideration for the school year have been discussed administratively and with staff. These possibilities (including some preliminary risks) include: Offer a pilot summer physical education course beginning in summer Offer an online physical education course in the future to meet the needs of students desiring more options, students involved in a sport or other physical activity that desire physical 3

4 education credit, and students desiring a more independent option outside traditional classroom setting. Recommendation The administrative recommendation is to enact the Act 105 Physical Education pilot with a cap of 60 students AND enact the zero hour Physical Education option (Option #4 from above). Action Steps Timeline Responsible Leadership First School Board Discussion on PE Waiver November 2012 Dimmitt Potential School Board Action on PE Waiver (see options above) December 2012 Dimmitt Submitted By: Eric Dimmitt, Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment Board of Education Action: Approve Reject Research/Report Back 4

5 WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC 610 INSTRUCTION Tony Evers, PhD, State Superintendent Considerations Regarding the Physical Education Requirement Change Option Resulting from 2011 Wisconsin Act Wisconsin Act 105 modified many aspects of education law. Regarding physical education, a new section of Wis. Stat. sec was created and became effective December 9, It reads as follows: (1) (e) A school board may allow a pupil who participates in sports or in another organized physical activity, as determined by the school board, to complete an additional 0.5 credit in English, social studies, mathematics, science, or health education in lieu of 0.5 credit in physical education. This provision is optional and up to each school board to determine whether or not to adopt it. If this provision is adopted, what types of sports or other forms of physical activity, and under what conditions, will the board permit a pupil to complete 0.5 credit in options other than physical education? The decisions regarding whether or not to implement this provision, and if so, how, raise many questions. Factors to consider in making these decisions include the following: 1. What will be lost for students as a result of decreasing physical education requirements? Physical education helps students learn knowledge and skills that apply to many lifetime activities and are often missing from participation in specific sports. For more information, please refer to state and local physical education standards. 2. If the board adopts a provision allowing alternatives to physical education, how will this provision be implemented equitably for all students, including those with limited physical ability and those with disabilities? School boards should ensure that district policy includes a statement of non-discrimination. If not in the policy specific to this matter, is there a non-discrimination policy that applies to all school policies? (References: Wis. Stats , Wis. Admin Code., PI 9.03, Title IV of the Civil Rights Act (1964), Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.) Note: No person may be denied admission to any public school or be denied participation in, be denied the benefits of or be discriminated against in any curricular, extracurricular, pupil services, recreational or other program or activity because of the person's sex, race, religion, national origin, ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, sexual orientation or physical, mental, emotional or learning disability. 3. How will the district protect itself from discrimination concerns and complaints, especially for activities that are limited to few students? PO Box 7841, Madison, WI South Webster Street, Madison, WI (608) (800) toll free (608) fax (608) tdd dpi.wi.gov

6 4. Will only school-based activities be allowed or will community-based activities be permitted? If the latter, what additional requirements will be needed to assure documentation of participation and completion? 5. Will allowable activities be limited to those supervised by licensed educators? If not, will any other limitations be placed on the type of supervision? 6. Will the activity require approval in advance or after completion? 7. Will only certain types of physical activity be acceptable alternatives, or will any type? What minimum type or amount of physical skill development is needed in an acceptable alternative? Is any level of sport participation acceptable or will alternatives be limited to the varsity level sports? 8. Will a minimum amount of time be established for an alternate activity? If so, how will that be determined? Given that sports and other activities vary widely in their lengths, what minimum length is appropriate? For example, a golf team season may be six to seven weeks, while a varsity basketball season is typically 18 weeks. 9. How will the district document completion of an activity? What new systems or records will be required? Who will be responsible for these, and what time will be allocated for creating and maintaining such records? 10.If the student is injured during the activity and does not complete it, how will this affect the approval of the alternative? 11.If the student breaks a code of conduct or is otherwise disciplined and does not complete the alternative activity, how will this affect the approval of the alternative? 12. Must the student participate in the alternative activity in the same year in which the physical education course would have occurred? 13. If the activity is scheduled for the student's senior year and is not completed, how will this affect the approval of the alternative?

7 MEQUON-THIENSVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF EDUCATION EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Subject: Discussion of Physical Education Credit Waiver Attachments: PE Waiver Administrative Memo Strategic Goal: N/A Category: X Discussion Date for Consideration: November 19, 2012 Objective: N/A Background The change at the state level pertaining to physical education has provided the Mequon-Thiensville School Board with the option of allowing students to apply participation in an organized physical activity towards their physical education requirement. Specifically, the section reads: A school board may allow a pupil who participates in sports or in another organized physical activity, as determined by the school board, to complete an additional 0.5 credit in English, social studies, mathematics, science, or health education in lieu of 0.5 credit in physical education. (Act 105) Purpose The information presented in this executive summary is designed to provide information for the School Board to consider on this topic. Following the November 2012 School Board discussion, further research or information needed will be provided to the School Board. An opportunity of the School Board to offer options around state statute requirements for credit is rarely available or up for discussion and decision making. From a perspective that supports a shared leadership and operational decision-making model, a group of individuals (the high school administration, physical education department, counseling department, and C.I.A. director) developed a recommendation for consideration. The following are some key considerations as part of this discussion: Any option will need to be approved early in 2013 in order for students to plan course selections and administration to make staffing determinations. It is important to note that other districts may not take any action for the school year. During the process, administrators and teachers discussed the option for activities sponsored by organizations other than the school district (for example, club teams) along with non-wiaa sports. Due to the variance in these programs, it was deemed not appropriate to offer in this first year. This gives more time to study non-wiaa activties This approach of limiting to 60 students would allow the high school administration to judge interest in this type of option for future years and manage enrollment/class size in those content areas (English, science, social studies, and math) that could be affected by the increased enrollment due to students taking the alternative courses.

8 This model would be monitored and measured through enrollment trend analysis and feedback collected by those involved in the model (students, counselors, and physical education teachers). A decision to continue and refine the option would be made and recommended to the School Board for the school year. The following administrative recommendation has been made to guide the School Board discussion: The School Board should utilize its authority granted by this change in physical education credits. The recommendation is to create an option for a limited number of students (60 sophomores or juniors) in the school year to use WIAA sports in lieu of a.50 physical education credit to take an additional English, social studies, math, or science class. The memo presented to Dr. Means provides further background and details about this recommendation. The November 19 meeting will be an opportunity to discuss this recommendation, identify any further research needed, suggest changes and select next steps. Action Steps Timeline Responsible Leadership First School Board Discussion on PE Waiver November 2012 Eric Dimmitt Potential School Board Discussion on PE Waiver December 2012 Eric Dimmitt (if necessary to report back and provide further information/discussion) Potential School Board Action on PE Waiver January 2012 Eric Dimmitt Submitted By: Eric Dimmitt Board of Education Action: Approve Reject Research/Report Back

9 MEMORANDUM November 6, 2012 MEQUON-THIENSVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT 5000 W. Mequon Road Mequon, WI (262) Demond A. Means, Ed.D., Superintendent Hughes George,Ph.D., Director of Pupil Services Eric J. Dimmitt, Ph.D., Director of Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment Gail M. Grieger, Director of Business Services TO: FROM: SUBJECT: CC: Demond Means Eric J. Dimmitt Physical Education Requirement Alternative Dan Benson, Brett Bowers, Hughes George, Ryan Mangan and Jill McElroy The change in education law pertaining to physical education has provided the Mequon-Thiensville School Board with the option of allowing students to apply participation in an organized physical activity towards their physical education requirement. Specifically, the section reads: A school board may allow a pupil who participates in sports or in another organized physical activity, as determined by the school board, to complete an additional 0.5 credit in English, social studies, mathematics, science, or health education in lieu of 0.5 credit in physical education. (Act 105) A number of options were weighed as a result of this change available to the School District. Discussions were held among the high school PE department members, administration, and the Athletic Director. Some of the options considered but not included in this recommendation were: Not taking any action (the approach of some other local districts) Offering the option for activities sponsored by organizations other than the school district (for example, club teams) Offering a summer school alternative or upper classmen health class alternative for those students who are interested in a new alternative for the current status. After careful consideration, I recommend the School Board utilize its authority granted by this change in physical education credits. The recommendation is to create an option for a limited number of students (60 sophomores or juniors) in the school year to use identified WIAA sports in lieu of a.50 physical education credit to take an additional English, social studies, math, or science class. This option will need to by January 2013 in order for students to plan courses selection and administration to make staffing determinations.

10 Rationale: This approach of using only school sponsored WIAA activities (see attached list) and limiting to 60 students would allow the high school administration to judge interest in this type of option and manage enrollment in those other areas that would be affected by the increased enrollment due to students taking the alternative courses. Measurement: This model would be monitored and measured through enrollment trend analysis and feedback collected by those involved in the model (students, counselors, and physical education teachers). A decision to continue and refine the option would be made and recommended for the school year. The first 60 students would be invited to try this new option because they met the following pre-requisites: Sophomore or junior standing for the school year Completion of Physical Education 9 Have previously completed in good standing a WIAA Activity (see attached list) as a freshman or sophomore A form that includes the following elements will be used to record the student s achievement of the other elements required. In order to earn this.50 physical education credit waiver through this option, the student must: Have 90+ hours of active participation in a Homestead High School-sponsored WIAA sport (coach of the WIAA sports signs form). Complete FitnessGram testing by a Homestead High School physical education teacher (physical education teacher signs form). Complete the activity log throughout the course of the season or session (coach of WIAA sport signs form) Write a two to four page reflection paper at the end of the season or session sent to student s school counselor (counselor signs form). Enroll in a.5 credit of math, science, social studies, or English course beyond the graduation requirements at some point during the high school career. Course must be designated by the end of the junior year. Other expectations: If a student is injured during the course of an activity and is unable to participate, the student needs to provide a signed doctor s excuse attesting to the injury and inability to participate. This should be turned in with the student s time log and reflection. If the injury prohibits the student from completing the 90+ required hours of the activity, then the activity will NOT count towards the physical education requirement. If a student is suspended due to a code of conduct violation or other reason (for example, academic or behavioral reasons), the student s participation hours will not be applied to the physical education requirement. This is true even if the student participates in 90+ hours of the activity outside of the suspension. If a student quits the activity before the end of the activity s season or session, the participation hours will not be applied to the physical education requirement. This is true even if the student participates in 90+ hours of the activity before quitting. If a student does not make the team, the student is responsible for alerting the guidance counselor. The student and parent will need to sign a form indicating they plan to utilize the option provided by the School Board. If interested, the student will need to have all completed/signed documentation turned into the School Counseling Office prior to registration for the student s senior year. The deadline for the school year is February 1, 2013.