Physical Education in Schools

Members of the Task Force on Physical Education in NYC Schools

Many of New York City’s public schools are failing to provide students with New York State mandated requirements for physical education. With studies clearly showing that school-based physical education correlates with improved academic achievement, student health and overall well-being, WCC created a Task Force on Physical Education in NYC Public Schools. The Task Force explores the problem of insufficient physical education in our school system and develops policy, recommendations and advocacy on this critical issue.

The Task Force released its report, “Physical Education in New York City’s Public Schools: A Missing Ingredient for Academic Success,” in November 2010. It found serious noncompliance with state mandates and contained recommendations to ensure that NYC Public Schools meet Physical Education standards.

Go to our Task Force on Physical Education page for more information about current priorities and recent actions.

Physical Education News:

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  • Advocates Call for PE in Co-Located Schools April 20, 2012
    On April 19, Amy J. Schwartz, Chair of the WCC Physical Education in City Public Schools Task Force, testified before the New York City Council Education Committee on the subject of co-locations in New York City schools. An audit conducted by the New York City Comptroller in October, 2011 found that most elementary schools in [...]
  • WCC urges City Council to Support NYC Strategic Alliance for Health March 22, 2012
    Earlier this week, Amy Schwartz, Chair of the WCC’s Physical Education in City Public Schools Task Force, testified before the New York City Council in support of a small, but critically important program, the NYC Strategic Alliance for Health. Located within the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the Strategic Alliance for Health has [...]
  • WCC Advocates Air Concerns About Lack of P.E. in Interview January 26, 2012
    To illuminate the widespread lack of physical education (P.E.) in NYC schools, two representatives of the Women’s City Club of New York (WCC) taped an interview for the January 29, 2012 edition of “Getting Your Money’s Worth.” Amy J. Schwartz and Dr. Katherine S. Lobach, respectively Chair and member of the WCC Task Force on [...]
  • New York Times Publishes WCC Letter on Physical Education November 2, 2011
    In response to a recent New York Times article on physical education, the WCC submitted the following letter, published in the October 28, 2011 edition.  The WCC’s Task Force on Physical Fitness advocates for the inclusion of comprehensive physical education in New York’s schools due to the myriad benefits it provides to students. Exercise in [...]
  • WCC Applauds Comptroller’s Audit of Physical Education in Schools October 4, 2011
    Today, City Comptroller John C. Liu announced that an audit of the Department of Education (DOE) found that many elementary schools do not meet state guidelines for physical education (PE) and, that despite documenting high rates of obese and overweight students, the DOE has not filed a PE plan with the state since 1982. According [...]