December Update

Here we are into the final push for your data collection. Remember that you will need to get me all of the data --  not only the MVPA data but also the fitness testing results -- from your students by the end of January. You should be well into your collection efforts at this point.

Just as an update, the DoEd is accepting new applications for PEP this year. The deadline they have published for application submission is in late May, so there is still plenty of time for you to get me the name and number of districts you would like to suggest that we work with. Please let me know soon so I can get them added to my list soon. I am about half-way to filling it up.

I am taking the family down to Dallas during the week of Christmas, so I will be reachable only via phone. If you have any questions for me during the Holiday Break, please let me know and I will be happy to help you as I will have my laptop with me.

Happy Holidays Everyone!

Too long between posts...excuses, excuses

Alright, it is hard to admit, but it was entirely too long between my last post and this one. The dog ate my homework, my gym shorts, and my car keys. No really, this post is all about the excuses your students give you and how you can motivate them with simple contests and strategies. Believe it or not, simple, crazy promotions will often lead students to perform a desired behavior.

For PEP projects, it seems the Student Activity Level tracking (MVPA) that is required by the DoEd is the most difficult. I have seen some electronic solutions as well as solutions that require simple paper and a pencil. Whatever your budget and level of motivation, getting your students to recall and record that data is the challenge here.

Let me remind you of the five simple strategies we advocate to help motivate your PE students to complete a desired task:

1. Make sure the behavior is easily measured. If you students are required to spend hours a week recording and reporting data, it won't happen. If you as the teacher or Project Director are required to spend hours a week compiling data, yep, you guessed it, your data will be raw for weeks. And you know what they say about raw data -- it starts to stink after a while.
2. Group competition instead of individual competition. Make any competitions you conduct based on group performance instead of individual performance. Embed individual performance within the competition.
3. Set clear criteria. Your students have to know how they are being judged. Without this information, they will undoubtedly throw in the towel before the end of the competition.
4. Reward positive behavior. Enough said.
5. Constantly remind and promote. Your students will need gentle and clear reminders of the expected outcomes. Make sure they know deadlines and are clear on what they are required to submit.

This post may seem like a rehash of the previous information and to a certain extent it is. But this topic is one of the most difficult issues that confront PE instructors. So tell me this -- what have you used in the past to motivate your students? What has been successful and what has failed?

President's Challenge Fitness is Fun

One great resource that is published each month by the people at the President's Challenge is the newletter titled Fitness is Fun. If you would like to access this free resource, click HERE. This information is a great all-around resource that can give you ideas of what other professionals in the field of PE are doing to make improvments in their program.

I Have So Much to Do...

I just finished giving a day of training to one of the clients that we have and one topic kept coming up – teacher schedules. I know how busy the average or, in this case, the above average teacher is. Put on top of that the fact that you as your district Project Director have to manage the grant implementation and evaluation. What is the average superhero Project Director to do? Sacrifice weekends and holidays to enter data? Stay up night to be able to meet the deadlines that you have committed to?

I think I may have the answer. What you need to do is sit down and decide where you are in the process and what you need to do to complete your implementation and subsequently, your evaluation. Then bite off what you can. Remember that the one requirement you have with the DoEd is to submit your MVPA data. The rest of the implementation can wait.

I know this goes contrary to what you have been told. However, you can only do so much. You need to make sure you prioritize your task list and complete selected items on time. More than likely your grant is a three year implementation, so put portions of the implementation off until the second or third year. Determine that you would classify as “non-essential” and make those activities wait.

If you need help, you can also contact other Project Directors in your area. If you don’t have the time or the budget to pay them, contact me and I will either give you a hand myself or put you in contact with someone else who can. You should make sure you lean on the expertise of other people who can help you lighten your load.

PEP Implementation Is Hard

Let's face it, districts that have received the PEP grant will tell you that the grant development process was tough, but the implementation portion is actually more difficult. Between the reporting process required by the Department of Education and the difficulty of working with the many vendors that approach you, it will absolutely consume your time. That is why we are putting this blog together.

Advanced Fitness Solutions (AFS) has worked with districts across the country to develop their grant package, implement the package once it is awarded, and assist in the evaluation of the resulting changes. We have been in business since 2001 and have helped more than 75 districts through the process. Our company has worked with some of the largest and smallest districts around -- our skill set covers any size of district.

We suggest you subscribe to this blog as we will regularly post tips to help you on your path. This blog will feature insight on things like dealing with vendors, scheduling staff devleopment sessions, curriculum and equipment suggestions, and evaluation assistance. This is a free resource and there is no quid pro quo expected. So, enjoy what we present!

If you would like some assistance in any of the areas listed, please email or call us and we will be happy to help you work through some of the challenges.