From K-12Leads & Youth Service Markets Report
Outsourcing “Gym” As “Healthy Lifestyle Education"

Announcement: Supplemental Resources for Physical Education Due September 20 (Aug 13) Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) Office of Healthy Schools

Their Description: In recognition of the childhood obesity epidemic... the 2007 Mississippi Legislature passed the MS Healthy Students Act to require public schools to provide increased amounts of physical activity and education instruction for K-12 students.... MDE is identifying eligible supplemental resource providers (SRP) for districts to ensure consistency and effectiveness within the state.... These supplemental resources will be available... beginning with the 2007-08 school year....

Supplemental resources will include (curriculum, training, equipment) to provide physical activity to all children and to teach them the skills and knowledge needed to establish and sustain an active lifestyle....
 
All programs/services selected must possess the following characteristics:

• Aligned with state standards for Physical Education;
• Aligned with the 2006 MS Frameworks for Physical Education;
• Sequentially planned;
• Age appropriate;
• Effectiveness;
• Monitoring of student progress;
• Sound financial and organizational capacity; and
• Resource for Local School Wellness Policy....

An eligible applicant is defined as a non-profit entity, a for-profit entity, educational entity, or governmental entity....

A Review Committee authorized by the MDE will evaluate proposals using the selection criteria indicated below.... To be included on the approved list of Mississippi Supplemental Resource Providers, a proposal must score a minimum of 85 points.... Maximum points for each criteria are as follows:

• Evidence of Effectiveness - 20    
• Aligned with State Academic Standards... - 30
• Monitoring of Student Progress - 20
• Financial and Organizational Capacity - 5
• Cost -    25....

The proposal will be evaluated based on the extent to which you are able to clearly and specifically show your program’s evidence of effectiveness to at least two or more of the indicators listed below.... If yours is a newly developed program.... [w]e will weigh heavily the indicators in Part B.... 

1. Provide evidence that your program is sequentially, developmentally appropriate and has a positive impact on students’ ability to develop the knowledge, motor skills, self-management skills, social skills, attitudes and confidence needed to adopt and maintain physical activity throughout their lives (Cite available research studies).

2. Provide letters of reference from previous clients (schools, districts, students, teachers, etc.) offering testimonial information on the positive impact of your program....

3. Provide additional evidence of improved outcomes, such as student attendance, retention/promotion rates, graduation rates, and/or student behavior/discipline...

Our Thoughts: From the May 23, 2005 issue of New Education Economy®:

States and districts are beginning to address obesity in their guidelines for meals and vending services. There are business opportunities for firms with healthier products and menus. But if obesity affects standardized test scores, there is some argument for teachers to integrate healthy lifestyle habits into teaching and learning - including by example, and therefore some interest in program developers with helpful materials.

That time is here, now.  Also see Tennessee’s Coordinated School Health Partnerships’ announcement. ••••