PE and Arts in the Schools

by David Safier

Good for the legislature. It moved a bill out of the House K-12 Committee that says schools can’t cut PE and the arts to make room for the increased requirements in math and science. (AZ House panel OKs PE and arts school bill)

For once I agree with state School Superintendent Tom Horne, who is behind the legislation.

Except . . . wait a minute! Schools that aren’t currently offering PE and the Arts still don’t have to offer them.

But at least those already offering the programs can’t cut them.

Except . . . schools already offering the programs can cut them if they can demonstrate to the Department of Ed they can’t afford to continue.

And a student doesn’t have to take PE if a parent can certify the child gets physical activity outside of school.

In other words, the legislation does . . . absolutely nothing. It’s the rough equivalent of a nonbinding resolution supporting Mother’s Day. But it gives Tom Horne a chance to show his arty, sensitive side, so when he runs for [fill in the blank], he can say he’s tough on standards but loves all that other stuff too. Legislators can do the same.

Why does the legislature waste its time with this kind of crap?

Which begs the question, why am I wasting your time on this kind of crap? My answer is, I consider it part of the job description to let you know when the legislature is wasting its time on this kind of crap.