In a victory for physical education funding, the full U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee has followed the recommendation of the Labor, Health and Education Subcommittee and included $78.8 million in funding for the Carol M. White Physical Education Program (PEP) for the 2012-2013 school year. SGMA said this is good news given the current budget environment and the uncertainty of PEP funding in the House of Representatives.
The House Education and Labor Committee proposed elimination of PEP citing duplication on PE in other 'physical activity' programs. The House Appropriations Committee has yet to take up Education funding.
“The quality physical education provided with the PEP grant is critical to the physical well-being, academic achievement and social development of young people. Without dedicated PE funding, schools will not have the resources necessary to train teachers and purchase equipment needed for quality PE,” said Bill Sells, SGMA's vice president of government relations. “The Senate's inclusion of PEP funding is a huge victory for the physical education community and a crucial step forward in securing 2012-2013 PE funds. SGMA is committed to ensuring PEP continues to receive federal support.”
The next step in the funding process will be the U.S. House of Representatives Education budget. In recent years, the Senate and the House have approved similar funding levels for PEP and compromised on the final funding figure.
