Purpose

Although physical activity is vital for lifelong health and learning, large numbers of American students are overweight and engage in little physical activity. Physical education programs can contribute to developing the habits needed for healthy learning. Physical activity improves muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, and cardiovascular endurance, as well as serves as a vehicle that helps children establish self-esteem and strive for achievable, personal goals.

The 2001 Surgeon General's Call to Action to Prevent and Decrease Overweight and Obesity recommended in its "Priorities for Action" that: "Individuals and groups across all settings must work in concert to ensure daily, quality physical education in all school grades."Still, only one state (Illinois) mandates daily physical education, and 29 percent of K-12 students nationwide do not attend physical education.

The Carol M. White Physical Education Program awards grants and contracts to initiate, expand and improve physical education programs for all kindergarten through 12th-grade students.

How It Works

Grants are awarded to school districts and community-based organizations to pay the federal share of costs of initiating, expanding and improving physical education programs for kindergarten through 12th-grade students. Grants may be used to provide equipment and support for students so that they may participate actively in physical education activities. Funds also may be used to provide support for staff and teacher training.

Key Requirements

Grantees must initiate, expand, or improve physical education programs in order to make progress toward state standards for physical education.

How Performance Is Measured

Grantees are required to submit an annual report to the U.S. Department of Education that describes the activities undertaken, and the progress that is made toward meeting state physical education standards.