Texas
Statewide promotion of increased recess during the school day and additional professional development related to physical education and physical activity reaches over 3.6 million students.
The Texas Department of State Health Services (Texas DSHS) improved physical education and physical activity in schools through two projects. The first project is based on the LiiNK ProjectExternal led by a researcher at Texas Christian University that aligns with components of Comprehensive School Physical Activity Programs, promoting recess and increased physical activity during the school day (four recesses per day totaling 60 minutes) and staff development for quality physical education. Texas DSHS, along with partners such as the Texas Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, helped reinforce messaging about the importance of recess and promote the research behind the LiiNK Project statewide.
The second project involves coordination with the Education Service Center, Region 2, to increase professional development and technical assistance to staff from eight high-needs school districts within the Coastal Bend (Corpus Christi) area.
Impact
Early data findings among schools in the Dallas/Fort Worth metro area implementing the LiiNK protocol show improvements in student behaviors (e.g., listening skills, time on task) and better reading and math scores. Statewide promotion of this program reaches an estimated 3.6 million students.
About 11,300 students benefitted from the professional development and technical assistance received in their school districts as a result of the second project.
