PEP (Progress for Physical Education) is a 400 million dollar bill that was passed last year by the legislature. 5 million was appropriated for the 2001-2002 school year to be sent out to schools in grant form to work toward the improvement of physical education programs. We received 297 thousand to help shift our program from a traditional pe program to a fitness and health based program. We were one of 18 awards that were given from over 500 applicants.

"Fit for the Future-Success For All Students Through A Fitness And Health Based Program Model" expands an exemplary coordinated fitness and health program model currently being implemented in the Spokane Public Schools to enable all students to be successful in meeting minimum health and fitness standards.

In the last four years, significant progress has been made in the Spokane Public Schools in the restructuring of the fitness and health curriculum and alignment with the state fitness and health essential academic learning requirements (EALRS). Following an initial program review, an overarching goal was developed: to provide a comprehensive, developmentally appropriate, integrated fitness and health program implemented equally for all students in helping them move toward a self-directed wellness lifestyle. This was a fundamental shift in philosophy and focus, from a skill-based curriculum to a fitness and health-based curriculum. Initial data is supporting the effectiveness of the change.

Fit for the Future curriculum, designed for grades 1 through 10, has already demonstrated dramatic results in the pilot schools. It has progressed toward authentic system change but requires support for full and timely implementation. Quickly expanding the complete model to all schools, annually evaluating the program and effectively enhancing program components will result in a program that shows promise of being a vital curriculum and instructional design for the State of Washington.

The intended outcomes provide performance feedback that will be used to effectively evaluate the Fit for the Future curriculum. Data analysis will assess curriculum effectiveness, staff satisfaction, student fitness growth and progress toward being intrinsically motivated to live a healthy active lifestyle.