The Relationship Between Academic Achievement and Healthy School Transformations in Urban Elementary Schools

• In Event: Exploring Issues of Marginalization, Resources, and Transformative Pedagogies in Physical Education

Abstract

The relationship between physical activity and academic achievement has received much attention given the recent push to increase children’s physical activity (PA) levels through Comprehensive School Physical Activity Programs (CSPAP) initiatives. In this study we followed 214 urban elementary students through an 8-month healthy school transformation that included both CSPAP and nutrition programming. It was found that program implementation was a significant predictor of students’ reading comprehension rate of improvement, while students’ aerobic fitness level, time two PA level, and level of program implementation were all significant contributors to students’ rat of improvement in math. The importance of understanding healthy school transformations and their relationship with academic achievement in reading and math in urban elementary schools is discussed.

Authors

• Erin Elizabeth Centeio, Wayne State University

• Cheryl Leigh Somers, Wayne State University

• Noel Kulik, Wayne State University

• Alex C. Garn, University of Newcastle

• Bo Shen, Wayne State University

• Jeffrey Martin, Wayne State University

• Mariane M. Fahlman, Wayne State University

• Nathan A. Mccaughtry, Wayne State University