Land of the Rising Pulse: A Social Ecological Perspective of Physical Activity Opportunities for Schoolchildren in Japan

2014 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 304-325 ◽  
Author(s):  
Collin Andrew Webster ◽  
Naoki Suzuki
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Public Schools ◽  
The United States ◽  
Ecological Perspective ◽  
Daily Routines ◽  
School Based ◽  
Social Ecological ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
American Schools ◽  
Japanese Schools

The uptake of policies and recommendations to promote physical activity (PA) in American schools has been slow. It can be useful to investigate international contexts where school-based PA promotion has had more success and consider whether facilitative factors have transferability to American schools. This study employed a social ecological perspective to examine the school-based PA opportunities for Grade 2 students in Japan and the factors influencing these opportunities. Observations in five public schools, relevant documents, and interviews with teachers, principals, and district and ministry officials were analyzed using constant comparison. Findings showed multiple PA opportunities existed in daily routines and throughout the year. Government policy had a downstream influence on all lower levels of the education system. Many of the PA opportunities Japanese schools provided align with American recommendations, but different educational priorities between Japan and the United States might make implementing these opportunities more challenging in American schools.

scholarly journals Educator perspectives on factors influencing children’s school-based physical activity

2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 931-940 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew S Domville ◽  
Paula M Watson ◽  
Dave J Richardson ◽  
Lee E F Graves
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Driving Force ◽  
Barriers And Facilitators ◽  
Organizational Level ◽  
Ecological Approach ◽  
Institutional Barriers ◽  
Intrapersonal Factors ◽  
School Based ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Interpersonal Level

Summary Formative research is an important first step in the design and development of children’s school-based physical activity (PA) interventions. Exploration of educator [headteacher and physical education (PE)-co-ordinator] perceptions toward the promotion of school-based PA, including PE delivery has however been limited. This study took a socio-ecological approach to explore the barriers and facilitators of children’s school-based PA from the perspective of school educators. Interviews were conducted with headteachers (n = 4), PE-co-ordinators (n = 4) and a deputy headteacher (n = 1) and data thematically analysed using Nvivo software (version 10). Findings suggested that, at an organizational level headteachers were the predominant driving force in the promotion of PA opportunities, yet institutional barriers including low priority for PA and PE were perceived to negate delivery. At an interpersonal level, strategies to increase the delivery of school-based PA were developed, however poor teacher-coach relationships and significant others reduced PA promotion opportunities. Child PA was further negated through intrapersonal factors, including lack of PE-specific teacher training and varying teacher interest in PA and sport. To increase primary school children’s school-based PA, barriers and facilitators at the organizational, interpersonal and intrapersonal level must be considered and targeted and researchers and schools should work in partnership to develop future interventions.

Green Schools: Strengthening Our Economy by Investing in Our Children

2009 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 255-257
Author(s):  
John M. Weekes
Keyword(s):  
Public Schools ◽  
Teacher Turnover ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
The United States ◽  
School Design ◽  
Percent Reduction ◽  
Green Schools ◽  
History Of ◽  
American Schools ◽  
Student Absenteeism

An architect looks at the history of school design and construction in the United States, which by 2008 had approximately 97,000 public schools holding 54.3 million students and five million teachers. About 73 percent of the schools were built prior to 1969. A study has shown that Green Schools can produce a 30–50 percent reduction in energy use, 35 percent reduction in carbon dioxide, a 40 percent reduction in water use, and cut 70 percent in solid waste. Further, student absenteeism and teacher turnover were reduced and productivity increased three percent. If all American schools were Green, the country would save nearly $1 trillion in the next 10 years.

scholarly journals The Use of Telehealth in School-Based Health Centers

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 2333794X1988419 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hayley Love ◽  
Nirmita Panchal ◽  
John Schlitt ◽  
Caroline Behr ◽  
Samira Soleimanpour
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Public Schools ◽  
Health Care Access ◽  
Access To Health Care ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
The United States ◽  
Health Centers ◽  
School Based ◽  
School Based Health Centers

Telehealth is a growing model of delivering health care. School-based health centers (SBHCs) provide access to health care for youth in schools and increasingly use telehealth in care delivery. This article examines the recent growth of telehealth use in SBHCs, and characteristics of SBHCs using telehealth, including provider types, operational characteristics, and schools and students served. The percentage of SBHCs using telehealth grew from 7% in 2007-2008 to 19% in 2016-2017. Over 1 million students in over 1800 public schools have access to an SBHC using telehealth, which represents 2% of students and nearly 2% of public schools in the United States. These SBHCs are primarily in rural communities and sponsored by hospitals. This growing model presents an opportunity to expand health care access to youth, particularly in underserved areas in the United States and globally. Further research is needed to fully describe how telehealth programs are implemented in school settings and their potential impacts.

scholarly journals Understanding the Minority Voice in a Pluralistic Society: The Case of Islamic Schools

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-76
Author(s):  
Leila H. Shatara ◽  
Maysaa Barakat ◽  
Mounir Bourkiza
Keyword(s):  
Public Schools ◽  
Charter Schools ◽  
School System ◽  
The United States ◽  
Muslim Students ◽  
Pluralistic Society ◽  
Islamic Schools ◽  
Faith Based ◽  
School Based ◽  
Racial Lines

With a growing number of faith-based private schools, charter schools, and public schools divided along ethnic and racial lines, the school system in the United States is becoming more segregated. This study aims to examine the reasons some Muslim parents choose Islamic schools over other school options and aspires to inform district and school-based administrators of what could be done to make public schools more responsive to the needs of Muslim students.

Promoting School Students’ Physical Activity: A Social Ecological Perspective

2012 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 92-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tao Zhang ◽  
Melinda A. Solmon ◽  
Zan Gao ◽  
Maria Kosma
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Ecological Perspective ◽  
School Students ◽  
Social Ecological

scholarly journals The Future of School Social Work Practice: Current Trends and Opportunities

10.18060/89 ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 167-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cynthia Franklin
Keyword(s):  
Public Schools ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Standardized Testing ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
School Social Work ◽  
The United States ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
High Stakes ◽  
School Based ◽  
The Future

This article discusses the information on school social work practice in the United States and summarizes recent trends and their implications for the future of school social work. The number of school social workers and current infrastructure available for the development of school social work practice is reviewed. Five sociocultural trends are summarized that are affecting public schools as well as important school-based practice trends such as standardized testing, and high stakes accountability measures. The emerging practice trend of evidence-based practices is discussed in light of its standards and implications for school-based practice. Finally, essential knowledge for strengthening practice competencies to meet the future challenges of school-based practice is highlight.

scholarly journals An examination of equal access in athletic programs throughout public high schools in the United States

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 99
Author(s):  
Rebecca R. Buchanan ◽  
Eleanor F. Odenheimer ◽  
Tanya R. Prewitt-White
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Public Schools ◽  
Public School ◽  
School Setting ◽  
The United States ◽  
Equal Access ◽  
Afterschool Programs ◽  
Educational Mission ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Global Competitiveness

The mission of the U.S. Department of Education is “to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access” (www.ed.gov).  As an extension of U.S. public education institutions, secondary afterschool programs involving physical activity are theoretically designed to enhance and support the educational mission of public schools.  Yet, due to the hyper-commodification of youth sports, “equal access” in sport and physical activity is becoming increasingly limited to parameters grounded in highly competitive environments reflecting broader sport trends in society.  An interesting paradox emerges in public school settings where the importance of physical activity for adolescents is also emphasized.  However, in reality, the majority of public tax dollars funding extracurricular opportunities to be physically active are only for those who are highly competitive, physically literate and have the financial means to assist in the funding of their sport experiences.  There are also issues related to gender in terms of who is being served.  Therefore, it is importance to examine how public resources relating to physical activity and health are being unequally allocated in the public school setting. 

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