Top Ten List for Students

Top Ten Reasons why the PE Requirement Should be Abolished

(in no particular order)

1. The program is outdated. This is not common of modern curriculum in higher education Core Degree Requirements.  Several decades ago when PE curriculum were added as required courses, the average age of college students was lower than what it is now.  Times have changed and our curriculum should reflect the needs of our current demographics' educational needs.
   
2. There are no clear goals or outcomes to the program that are measurable due to a lack of criteria set forward by the department (PE) itself.
   
3. There are no online class opportunities. As a result, distance learning and non-traditional students are burdened with making arrangements to facilitate this requirement if they are to earn a degree that is transferrable anywhere.
4. It could be reducing our enrollment. Students who are deciding which college to choose might be uneasy about a PE requirement. Most schools do not have one. Lower enrollment numbers (and subsequently FTE’s or full time enrollment students) mean that the school has less money to operate and less money in Student fees to be spent on Student activities that the Students choose.
5. Many of the courses do not assess Student’s work accurately. Some of the most popular classes are an easy 4.0. There are numerous accounts of individuals getting a 4.0 in weight training for showing up. Or maybe they get excessive extra credit points for easy work. Whatever the reason for the easy grades, they don’t serve Students well. Any college that you transfer to is going to take into serious consideration your 4.0 in weight training or tennis. It may pull your GPA up slightly for your tenure at Shoreline, but many schools “wipe the slate clean” meaning that you get your transfer credits but your GPA starts over at that college. In that case, Shoreline Students have inflated GPA’s compared to schools who do not require a PE credit. That’s the only potential benefit. There are also several really great courses in the department, such as Archery. In these courses, we see fair assessment and active engagement of our students who enroll. We see high expectations set for Students and we see those Students excel. Our hope is that the College will evaluate the courses and “weed out” the ones that are ineffective or lacking clear, obtainable goals and retain the programs that benefit our Students.
6. The costs. On the table that is attached, you will see several different layers of hidden costs. If you do not have a gym membership (or you use the SCC gym, as you should) then you should omit these costs. However, many individuals do have gym memberships out of preference and this preference should be respected by the school. (see attached Typical Costs of the PE Credits)
7. Your time. How much is an hour worth?(see attached Typical Costs of the PE Credits)
   
8. Convenience. Have you had trouble deciding when you would schedule a PE class? Maybe you don’t feel comfortable working out in between classes. Maybe you work out in the morning. Maybe you go to work right after class and you don’t have time to clean up. Whatever the inconvenience, put a price on it. It is something you are giving up if you’ve taken (plan to take) a PE credit.
   
9. Preferential Treatment. Undoubtedly, every department head would tell you that their department offers the most important, relevant courses. However, if these department want a specific requirement added for their department, they must outline clear goals and objectives. When the PE requirement was tacked on, it was exempt. This is unfair to every other department.
   
10. We have the right to choose whether or not we want to take a PE class in college.