Morning Bell: Gym Class — Now, For Nerds

Flickr / State Library of New South Wales

Physical education champions in Australia, c. 1930

Gym Class Isn’t Just Fun and Games Anymore – “Spurred by an intensifying focus on student test scores in math and English as well as a desire to incorporate more health and fitness information, more school districts are pushing physical education teachers to move beyond soccer, kickball and tennis to include reading, writing and arithmetic as well.” The New York Times

Anti-bullying bills approved by committee – “House Bill 1423 requires every school district to create a bullying policy, train staff to recognize it and track and report data on bullying incidents.” Indy Star

Lots of implications for new CREDO study – On charter schools, a topic we’ve covered in some depth recently: “It’s interesting that the study showed good charters can be identified more quickly than might be assumed, within a year or two perhaps. The conventional wisdom is that charters need time to develop.” Get On The Bus

Schools check enrollment during spring count day – “This February count will likely be the first used in a new school funding formula in the state’s next fiscal year. Concerns linger among local school officials about what this second count date could mean.” Lafayette Journal & Courier

Petition wants students excused to attend fairs – “Concerns about shortened summer vacations have prompted Indiana fair organizers to push for protections for students who miss school to attend agricultural events.” Richmond Palladium-Item