FIT MIND, BODY LINKED STATE STUDY TIES MENTAL, PHYSICAL ACUITY.

Byline: Naush Boghossian Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - Kids who are physically fit perform better academically, according to a state study released Tuesday.

The California Department of Education examined the relationship between the spring 2001 physical-fitness test and the Stanford Achievement Test results of more than 1 million students in reading and mathematics, and found a correlation between fitness and student achievement.

In the Santa Clarita Valley, where the students far surpassed the state averages last year in both tests, school officials say they have always put an emphasis on physical education because they believe it is an integral part of student achievement.

``If the kids aren't physically fit, they really can't fully participate in academic programs,'' said Joan Lucid, assistant superintendent for the Saugus Union School District.

The Los Angeles County Office of Education will push for greater support for physical-fitness and nutrition programs for its schools, based on the study's results, including making local schools pay attention to their physical-education programs.

``Districts have been penny-wise by making assumptions that they have to put physical-education programs on the back-burner in order to concentrate on reading and math,'' said Steve Horowitz, a spokesman for the Los Angeles County Office of Education. ``When evidence is showing that strong physical-fitness programs in fact advance reading and math, if you want good reading scores you have to do more push-ups.''

But in the valley, educators say they know that to have well-rounded children, they need to make exercise a priority.

``We want to educate the whole child, and that includes physical fitness,'' said Kathy Wright, assistant superintendent of instruction for the Sulphur Springs School District, which tries to support and increase physical-education programs.

Almost all Sulphur Springs district schools have a track and a program in which kids keep count of how many laps they run or walk during the week, with an incentive for the students who do the most laps.

``In elementary school, we're educating the whole child and making sure they have the skills that will help them in school, including the physical aspects and the academic,'' Wright said. ``We want to make sure the students are as well-rounded as possible.''

In addition to the schools' physical-education programs, local educators credit substantial parent involvement as one of the main reasons for their kids' academic success.

``Because we have parents who really believe that their children need to be involved in numerous kinds of physical activity, it all works together,'' Lucid said. ``I don't think there's any one factor. Everything contributes, and when you put it all together, the whole is more than the parts.''

Local children also benefit from a wide variety of choices for physical activity in the valley.

``Some communities don't have that kind of sports network out there,'' said Ernie Jackson, coordinator of special programs, evaluation and testing at the Newhall School District. ``We're fortunate that we have that and that there are so many opportunities for kids out there.''

If additional funding were available, local school officials said, they would like to hire trained physical-education teachers for the elementary school classes.

``I would like to see if we're able to have more funding for physical-education folks out there to work with our students,'' Lucid said. ``Currently we use instructional assistants, and they have done a fabulous job, but there is also a need for more training for them and for our teachers. But the funding is just not there for it.''