It's the Law!

Texas Law

SB 19, effective September 1, 2007, addressed many aspects of school health. It authorized the State Board of Education to adopt rules mandating daily physical activity for students in grades K-6,

It is required that every school system:

1. have a School Health Advisory Council,

2. with a clearly defined membership,

3. and broadened the scope of the council's responsibilities to all school health issues.

It directed the Texas Education Agency to make available a coordinated school health curriculum and requires every school system to be trained in its implementation by September 1, 2007.

Coordinated School Health Program
1) Each school district must have in place a coordinated school health program implemented by 2007.
2) The Texas Education Agency will make available a selection of coordinated school health programs that meet specific criteria.
3) The ruling, which took effect in 2001; must coordinate physical activity, health education, nutrition services, and parental involvement for students in elementary schools.

What is required by law?

State Board of Education (SBOE) ruling made the legislation actual policy.
There are four key components in the TEA Code:

• All school districts must have a SHAC

• Elementary schools must provide 30 minutes per day or 135 minutes a week of TEKS based structured physical activity

• By July 2006 school districts must have a Wellness Policy ( FFA Local )

• By September 2007 elementary schools must implement a coordinated school health curriculum ( KISD chose The Great Body Shop for its Coordinated School Health Curriculum. It is state-approved.)

The following links, provided by the Texas Department of State Health Services, provide information on state legislation and tools and tips to chart a course to a healthier Texas.

Texas Department of State Health Services

Texas Legislation

National Law

National Law also requires that scool districts address student wellness and nutrition. In the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004, the U.S. Congress established a new requirement that all school districts with a federally-funded school meals program develop and implement wellness policies that address nutrition and physical activity by the start of the 2006-2007 school year [ Section 204 ]. In response to requests for guidance on developing such policies, the National Alliance for Nutrition and Activity (NANA, www.nanacoalition.org ) convened a work group of more than 50 health, physical activity, nutrition, and education professionals from a variety of national and state organizations to develop a set of model policies for local school districts.