High school students in the Warren County School District could soon be seeing a change in their physical education instruction.
Board President Arthur Stewart explained at Monday's meeting of the Curriculum, Instruction and Technology Committee that the nature of the classes would be modified "so they encompass more life-long learning experiences" and promote activities to be performed at various ages.
Additionally, students would utilize devices like heart rate monitors and earn a final grade based on their own improvement.
"There is a difference in how they want to assess students," explained Amanda Hetrick, director of secondary education for the district.
The change, based on standards through the Pennsylvania Department of Education, would also not allow the district to require that physical education be an optional course. Instead, it would be mandatory.
Currently, the district has a policy that enables students to earn physical education credit for participating in the marching band or on an athletic team for one season, which would need to be modified or removed. The committee also discussed the possibility of not offering credit for the classes, which would be taught on two-year cycles.
To accommodate the curriculum, according to Hetrick, the district would be required to hire three additional physical education instructors.
"We've got a cart before the horse idea," said Stewart. "Not knowing yet what the policy would look like, and we don't have the financial implications worked out."
Board member Kim Angove agreed, saying, "We don't have everything worked out yet."
The committee agreed to forward the updated curriculum to the full board for approval, but will continue to discuss the potential policy and financial implications of the instruction.
The next meeting of the Curriculum, Instruction and Technology Committee will be 7 p.m. Jan. 25 at the Warren County Career Center.