Congress To Consider PE Language In ESEA Overhaul

The Bellingham (WA) Herald (1/9, Hotakainen) reports that as cash-strapped districts across the country cut physical education spending, members of Congress are considering language "to intervene." The piece quotes WA9 Rep. Adam Smith (D) lamenting increased childhood obesity rates, noting that he "and a bipartisan group of 84 other House members want to include language" in proposed ESEA reauthorization legislation "that would pressure schools to offer more PE. Their idea is to force school officials to issue yearly reports on how much time students engage in physical activity, making it easier for the public to compare schools."