Body oil, tank tops, and NCLB

Richard Simmons was on Letterman last night, and after taking some customary ribbing about his oil-n-spangles uniform, called for adding physical education as an optional multiple measure in NCLB reauthorization.

Well, okay, he wasn’t that wonky. He stood on a chair and led the studio audience in a chant of “P.E. in schools! That’s the Golden Rule!”

Maybe this is what the reauthorization debate needs instead of another policy paper —  more sequins and jumping up and down. Like a lot of subjects, P.E. is getting squeezed out of schools to make time for more test prep, we’re facing a childhood obesity epidemic that won’t be solved by swapping water for soda in school vending machines, and the late night talk show has become the go-to political launch pad.

Simmons’ web site has more on his effort to get P.E. included in the reauthorization, with links to advocacy letters you can send to Kennedy and Miller. You’ll have to provide your own spangles. 

Explore posts in the same categories: narrowing of the curriculum, reauthorization