STUDENTS LACKING PHYSICAL FITNESS.

Byline: Sue Doyle Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - California students will have to spend more time running track and doing sit-ups before they'll ever make significant leaps in their overall physical fitness, according to test results released Monday from the state Department of Education.

About one in four California students from elementary school through high schools are considered physically fit, according to the state's 2005 Physical Fitness Test.

Given in spring, the required test challenged about 1.3 million students in fifth, seventh and ninth grades on six fitness standards, including cardiovascular endurance, such as running a mile, abdominal and upper-body strength and flexibility. Body fat also was tested.

About 25 percent of the state's fifth graders, 29 percent in seventh grade and 27 percent of high school freshmen passed in all six areas.

Scores were an improvement from last year by about three to four percent.

Calling results unacceptable, Jack O'Connell, state superintendent for the Department of Education, said too many students fail to reach minimal levels of physical fitness. He wants teachers to talk to parents about physical fitness and said it should be considered family activity.

``A silent epidemic of obesity and poor nutrition is endangering our children's health and their ability to learn,'' O'Connell said. ``This physical fitness test is just one more reminder that we need to rededicate our commitment to turn this trend around.''

State law requires 200 minutes of physical activity every 10 days for students in elementary schools and 400 minutes for those in middle and in high schools. Physical education is the only subject in school with a mandated number of minutes for activity.

But in many districts, having gym teachers on staff is nothing more than a pipe dream. Budgets have long cut them off the staff list. Physical education has since fallen in the laps of many classroom teachers.

At the same time gym class, along with as music and fine arts, can get pushed aside as teachers strive to keep up with other state and federal academic testing, such as the Academic Performance Index and No Child Left Behind.

``Between standards and budget issues, these things are the first to go,'' said Beverly Silsbee, superintendent of Castaic Union Elementary School District.

At the district, classroom teachers instruct physical education for kindergarten through fifth grades. About 29 percent of those fifth grade students passed all six fitness standards - a 10 percent decrease from last year.

But physical education teachers each day instruct students in sixth through eighth grades at the district. About 41 percent of the seventh graders tested passed all of the state's standards - a 22 percent increase in one year.

Locally, students at Newhall Elementary School District scored the highest overall and made the biggest improvement from last year.

About 48 percent of students in the elementary school district achieved all state fitness standards, a 13 percent increase in one year. Children also improved by about 10 percent in their aerobic capabilities.

Results for Saugus Union Elementary School District students fluctuated from last year with about 3 percent fewer students passing all six standards. But at the same time, about 5 percent more children scored higher on their aerobic capacities.

The district recently implemented a new physical education program with a $450 million federal grant received last year. It pays for new materials and training for all teachers and administrators.

At some schools in the district, classroom teachers double as gym teachers. In other cases, schools have physical education specialists. It all depends on the school and its budget, said Joan Lucid, assistant superintendent of instruction.

Lucid said the grant, that's facilitating new programs for different grade levels, has made the district more alert to students' physical education needs.

``It increased an awareness level and that's what you're always trying to do,'' she said.

Sue Doyle,[phone]

sue.doyle(at)dailynews.com