Physical Activity in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)

NCPPA is making the inclusion of physical activity a legislative priority as Congress works for the next version of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The current incarnation of the act is better known as the No Child Left Behind Act. As Congress begins to craft a new version of the Act, NCPPA will be working hard to include physical activity, including but not limited to physical education in a variety of sections of the Act. Two bills have already been introduced that would add more physical activity to the existing language however there will be much more activity when Congress begins to actively work on Education. Check back here frequently for updates as work begins.

• H.R.1589-Sanchez (CA-D)- Amends the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act within the ESEA - This bill expands the allowable grant activities to include (should a local entity decide its appropriate) activities that foster safe zones of passage of children to and from school on bike and on foot . It also adds the following language to the Mentoring Program Grant goals: Encourage maintenance of health-related physical fitness and regular physical activity.

View the Bill Language

• Fitness Integrated with Teaching Kids Act (FIT Kids) - S634-Harkin (D-IA); HR1585-Kind (D-WI) - The bill amends the No Child Left Behind Act to ensure that kids learn how to be responsible for their health and that they are active during the school day.

Download a FIT Kids Fact Sheet

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