The Department of Education announced the recipients of $78 million in Carol M. White Physical Education Program (PEP) grants. New PEP grants totaling $26.5 million will be distributed to more than 140 school districts and community based organizations across the country.
The balance of $51.5 million will be used to fund multi-year PEP grants awarded in 2007 and 2008. The average new PEP grant is $363,000. PEP funds are used to purchase fitness and sports equipment and to train and encourage innovation with teachers.
The $78 million is the highest funding level PEP has ever received and brings the total physical education funding provided via PEP to more than $550 million.
“Securing funding for PEP is one of SGMAs top legislative priorities every year,” said Tom Cove, President of SGMA. “Being able to drive $78 million into schools and communities to promote physical activity will make a real difference to our childrens health, while also providing important economic benefit to our industry.”
“This is a tremendous boost,” said SGMA Vice President Bill Sells. “As school budgets are squeezed by the economic downturn, this PEP funding will be critical to support innovative physical education programs around the country.”
“The message we bring to Congress through SGMAs National Health Through Fitness Day continues to resonate, namely that investments in fitness and sports promotion will provide solid, tangible returns through healthier, more productive students and citizens,” said Jim Baugh, SGMA Board member and founder of PE4Life. “Our industry and our education colleagues need to keep our legislators and policy makers behind this effort.”
