Strengthen physical education, especially at elementary schools
Although Oakland is largely viewed as a football and basketball town, youth told us they are very interested in trying other sports. However, children lack sustainable ways to keep playing these new sports to establish healthy habits for life. In our analysis, the most promising opportunity to improve the city’s state of play for youth is using Oakland schools as hubs to align systems, services and providers through the community school model. California's 2022-23 state school budget allocates more than $1 billion to partnerships with community schools in underserved areas. Most Oakland students spend the start of the school day through early evening on campus through the community school model, which integrates academics, health and social services, youth and community development, and community engagement. Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) operates 54 community schools led by community school managers to coordinate programs and services to meet the holistic needs of youth, families and the school community. 52 Here are four strategies that can leverage the community school model to give youth more sustainable sports options, plus the sectors that can help make it happen.
Only half of OUSD’s elementary schools reported in 2018-19 having a credentialed PE teacher on staff. PE teachers are getting burned out and many lack the training or professional development to produce effective curriculum. Funding and supporting credentialed PE teachers, especially in elementary schools, will build a strong foundation of fundamental physical literacy skills, instill a commitment to wellness, and introduce more sports.
CITY-LEVEL AGENCIES Audit the current state of PE
There’s a general lack of understanding within the OUSD administration of what deficiencies need to be addressed. OUSD could take New York City’s lead in this space. New York City invested $100 million to improve PE across its public schools, 53 plus $385 million in capital funding to upgrade schools’ PE spaces. 54
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PROJECT PLAY — AN INITIATIVE OF THE ASPEN INSTITUTE
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