Effective 4-5-05

PART Ed 310 DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE DAILY PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PROGRAM

Ed 310.01 Purpose. The purpose of this rule is to promote increased physical activity for all students K-12 and to offer guidelines to school boards on developing a written policy concerning developmentally appropriate daily physical activity. Physically active students come to school more ready to learn and are more likely to achieve their academic potential. Emphasis on physical activity in school children can help build lifetime health, mental health, and social well-being, and prevent adverse health consequences that include childhood obesity, cardiovascular disease, stroke, osteoporosis, and Type 2 Diabetes.

Ed 310.02 Definitions. Except where the context makes another meaning clear, the following words have the meaning indicated when used in Ed 310:

(a) “Body Mass Index” means a percentile, derived by using height and weight measurements, that gives a general indication of whether or not weight falls within a healthy range.

(b) “Childhood obesity” means the term used to describe children and teenagers ages 2-20 who are considered overweight because their body mass index as defined by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention is greater than or equal to the 95^th percentile.

(c) “Chronic inactivity” means an ongoing sedentary lifestyle.

(d) “Developmentally appropriate daily physical activity” means physical activity that is suitable for the cognitive age and individual characteristics of students.

(e) “Exercise” means bodily exertion to develop or maintain physical fitness in the form of strength, flexibility, and aerobic capacity.

(f) “Health risks” means factors that increase a person’s chance of suffering illness, injury, or premature death.

(g) “Other related health problems” means:

(1) Physical illnesses;

(2) Psychological illnesses; and

(3) Injuries.

(h) “Physical education” means the program of physical education in Ed 306.

Ed 310.03 Developmentally Appropriate Daily Physical Activity Policy.

(a) Each local school board shall adopt a written policy relative to developmentally appropriate physical activities and exercise. Each local school board shall recommend that all the public schools in the school district implement the policy. The policy shall be communicated to students, staff, and parents.

(b) The policy shall recommend that all students in elementary school through high school and suggests all staff at the schools participate in developmentally appropriate physical activity and exercise for a minimum of 30 to 60 minutes each day as a way to minimize the health risks created by chronic inactivity, childhood obesity, and other related health problems.

Ed 310.04 Components of Developmentally Appropriate Daily Physical Activity Policy.

(a) The developmentally appropriate daily physical activity policy shall include, but not limited to the following practices, which:

(1) Encourage parents and guardians to support their children’s participation in enjoyable physical activities, and recognize that parents and guardians act as role models for active lifestyles;

(2) Support special programs such as student and staff walking programs, family fitness events, and events that emphasize life-long physical activity;

(3) Integrate health and physical activity across the school curriculum;

(4) Encourage student-initiated activities that promote inclusive physical activity on a school-wide basis;

(5) Commit adequate resources that include program funding, personnel, safe equipment, and facilities;

(6) Provide professional development opportunities for all school staff that will assist them to effectively promote enjoyable and lifelong physical activity among youth, and that will assist school staff to recognize their influence as role models for active lifestyles;

(7) Establish relationships with community recreation and youth sports programs and agencies to coordinate and complement physical activity programs;

(8) Encourage physical activity recess periods; and

(9) Institute a tracking and evaluation method to ensure that all students are engaging in developmentally appropriate daily physical activity.

(b) The developmentally appropriate daily physical activity policy in Ed 310.04(a) shall be in addition to and shall not be a replacement for the physical education program requirement in Ed 306.

Appendix

Provision of the Proposed Rule	State or Federal Statute or Federal Regulation Implemented
Ed 310.01	RSA 189:11-a,V
Ed 310.02-04	RSA 189:11-a, VI