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Olivia Benson

Mr. Butler

Literacy

February 12, 2018

Gym for your GPA

There is an ongoing debate on getting graded for gym class. Most people believe it

shouldn't because the athletic skill isn't needed in future life. Which is entirely a false accusation.

Keeping fit and knowing how to do so is important to live long and healthy.

There is no doubt that gym class should be part of your GPA. Those who believe

otherwise say that most kids can’t do it because they aren't athletic enough. That's a

understandable concern however most schools only use the amount of effort you put in as your

grade. For example, “We want kids to learn about their own personal fitness…”.(AMOS)This

shows that they want to make the kids know about fitness and not push them into an unhealthy

lifestyle, and that only effort counts. This shows that most schools in America push their students

to do well in gym and put in effort to learn about their own health. In addition: “We want kids to

learn about their motor skills, a first grader can learn how to...throwing a ball for instance”.

(AMOS) However most students don't put in the necessary effort to learn, so they’ll barely pass.

When most kids complain to their parents about their grade and will lie about the amount of

effort then parents will gain anger and blame the schools teachers when in reality it's the kids

fault. In conclusion gym is an easy thing to pass if you put in the correct amount of effort.

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There is no doubt that gym class should be on par with our academic learnings. Those
who believe it shouldn't be on the same level of grading say that it's harder to do gym if you’re

on the heavier side. That's an understandable concern, however for some students at a younger

age wish to get in shape and do it correctly.. For example. “Should physical education be on par

with other academic subjects? Certainly, but only when our content and evaluation is practices

are on par!”(JOPERD 9) This shows that more trusting parents or teachers can agree with this

statement. In some cases gym is even said to help younger heavier kids get back into shape. In

addition: “Evidence suggests that increasing physical activity and physical fitness may improve

academic performances”.(KOHL)This shows that gym class can help you improve on your basic

math, writing, and science skills. Which also suggests that it can remove some stress off kids that

are drowning in stress. To sum it up gym being on par with the academic studies can help

improve your grade in core subjects.

There is no doubt gym class could count towards something in your GPA. Those who

believe that it shouldn't say that teachers grade unfairly, biased on who is better per say. That is a

understandable concern however, most gym teachers gave their grade based on the students

eagerness to learn. For example, “Her gym class grade reflected her willingness to try,

preparation for class, and good behavior.”(CICERO). However even with all of this information

some teachers are still biased on athletic abilities. More and more people believe how biased the

adults are towards grades when in reality, it's the all kids fault. “Against using physical tests,

student versus student, to grade a student”(AMOS)This shows that if someone is having a bad

day and don't do

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the required amount of laps or push ups that it won't kill their grades as long as the
students still shows effort. With the new program called S.H.A.P.E students are getting written

tests to show effort other than the standard student vs. student. For all the reasons above gym

class should count for your grade as all you have to do is try.

With all the above reasons it should be hard to still disagree with this, schools just having

gym class for no grade. It would be partly useless otherwise. If all you need is effort it shouldn't

be hard to pass with flying colors and stars.

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Works Cited

Amos, Denise Smith. “Phys Ed Debate: Grade Students on What They Know or What They Can
 Do?” The Florida Times, The Florida Times-Union, 17 Apr. 2015,

www.jacksonville.com/news/metro/2015-04-17/story/phys-ed-debate-grade-students-what-

they-know-or-what-they-can-do.

Cicero, Karen. “How Should Gym Class Be Graded?” Parents, Parents, 28 July 2015,

www.parents.com/blogs/parents-perspective/2013/08/15/health/how-should-gym-class-be-

graded/.

JOPERD: the Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance. American Alliance for

Health, Physical Education.

Kohl, Harold W., and Iii. “Physical Activity, Fitness, and Physical Education: Effects on

Academic Performance.” Educating the Student Body: Taking Physical Activity and

Physical Education to School., U.S. National Library of Medicine, 30 Oct. 2013,

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK201501.

“Should a Student's Grade in Gym Affect His Overall Grade (GPA/Grade Point Average)?”

Debate.org, www.debate.org/opinions/should-a-students-grade-in-gym-affect-his-overall-

grade-gpa-grade-point-average.