Pleasant Valley High School has always called for “total effort” in both academics and athletics. This phrase has become a familiar guideline in Pleasant Valley’s strive for excellence. Students have been conditioned to the idea that hard work will always pay off. However, in the fall of 2016, there have been new curriculum changes for physical education classes. Students have noticed differences in grading and even in the atmosphere of the gyms and the weight room. In gym class, participants are no longer graded on attendance or effort, they are graded on leadership and inclusion. Senior Alex McLean believes this takes away from the idea of gym class, saying, “They’re wasting time with making us learn other people’s names. We should be focused on physical well-being.” Other sources have commented on the importance of gym class compared to other classes. Junior Collin Smith recalls an encounter in PE, “I asked to be excused so I could study for my AP Physics test, but my teacher told me if I left, I’d be counted as skipping. I had no choice but to stay in gym class. My teacher told me that gym was more important than AP Physics.” This new way of teaching presents a false dichotomy to the students: come to class and get a good grade or postpone class and be punished. Realistically, physical education classes can be made up, as proven by earlier years. Because of the new curriculum in gym class, students may face detriment in their other classes.

PE department head Jane Wheeler is not worried about the fate of her students. “As much as the kids are having a hard time, there is benefit in the long run,” Wheeler says, adding, “There’s been hesitation because of fear of bad grades.” According to both Wheeler and head weighlifting coach Ryan Arnold, the PE departments are heading to the national standard. Other schools and states are following similar criteria. Student athletes in the weight room are also struggling under the weight of the new curriculum. Grades are now based upon technique and “coachability.” While this new change has been accepted by some, Arnold noticed a difference in his older students’ attitudes, saying, “Seniors and juniors may not understand it because it’s new, but it is good for them. To be able to see each athlete’s goals and help reach them is our endgame.” Some students are not so optimistic. Senior Austin Collins remarks, “You get graded before you even do it. If Arnold thinks you’re doing something wrong, you’re doing something wrong.” Other athletes believe the grading scale is too harsh, saying they should not be graded on ability or technique. “I don’t necessarily think it’s fair because if you’re giving 100% effort, you shouldn’t be marked down for that,” says senior Emily Nutt. Whether or not the new standards will benefit students is, at the moment, a topic of controversy. With the coming school year the curriculum may shape the future of physical education or prove ineffective for students.