How Advocacy at the State Level Can How Advocacy at the State Level Can Help the Local LevelHelp the Local Level

Terry Jones

Senior Consultant for Health and Physical Education

Colorado Department of Education

Ways To Advocate at the State LevelWays To Advocate at the State Level

• Build bridges before you need them!

Where Do the Bridges Lead?Where Do the Bridges Lead?

• State Infrastructure– Prevention Leadership Council (PLC)– Interagency School Health Team (ISHT)

• School Policy and Indicators Workgroup (SPI)

• Colorado Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (COAHPERD)

• Denver Metro Health and Wellness Commission

• Colorado Physical Activity and Nutrition Workgroup (COPAN)

• Colorado Action For Healthy Kids

• Colorado Children's Campaign

• Prevention Initiatives (PI)

• How do you advocate for physical education and health in your state?

1. Promoting program excellence1. Promoting program excellence

• Do you have a quality PE program- how do you know?

• Analyze your program– NASPE STARS– Alliance for a Healthier Generation

2. DEVELOP COMMUNICATION2. DEVELOP COMMUNICATION

• EDUCATE ADMINISTRATORS– Share documents and position statements with

principal and school board

– Provide information about QPE and national physical education standards

• Educate students– Convey that you as the teacher value physical

education– Encourage kids to get their parents to value

physical education and physical activity– Develop an understanding of the differences

between physical education and physical activity

• Educate parents– Share information about state and national

physical education standards and time recommendations

– Encourage them to support physical education in their children’s school

– Recognize their role in keeping children physically active 60 minutes a day

– Inform them regularly about physical education’s contribution to their students complete education

• Educate the public– A large percentage of you community does not

have students enrolled in school; you need their support

– Develop relationships with a variety of organizations in your community with children’s health issues as their focus

– Seek local champions for children's causes

• What are some strategies that you use to empower teachers to be advocates at the local level?

Terry Jones

Colorado Department of Education

Jones_t@cde.state.co.us

303-866-6835