A question that has been prominent in schools is should playing a sport count as a PE credit? Students and teachers have wondered if this would ever happen or be allowed. Student athletes have argued that playing a sport should excuse you from taking a physical education class because of the time, effort, and skill, playing a sport takes. Others believe playing a sport does not get you exempted from a required class that everyone needs to take to graduate.
Senior Kiera Gravely believes that playing a sport should count as a PE credit because it will allow athletes to catch up on school work.
“Students take time extended past their school hours to do a physical activity most of the time more difficult than a PE class.” Gravely said. “Not taking a PE class will get them more focused on their grades and have the ability to learn more.”
Similarly, sophomore Gabie Klaven would like playing a sport to count, which would let her take classes that she is more passionate about.
“It will give me an opportunity to take another class in place of it that I am more interested in, which will help me in the future,” Klaven said.
Despite Klaven wanting a sport to count as a credit, she doesn’t think it is challenging to have PE and a sport in a day. Klaven understands the importance of getting a sufficient amount of exercise every day.
“I feel it is important to get physical activity every day because it can keep you healthy and in shape, but I don’t think having both of them in the same day is a lot,” Klaven said. “I just think it would benefit my education and academics more if I didn’t take a PE class.”
English teacher Libby Reed wished she had the option in high school to play a sport instead of taking a PE class. Despite not being interested in playing sports during high school, Reed would have been more motivated to try something new.
“If I had the option to play a sport to get out of PE I definitely would have,” Reed said. “This would encourage more people to play a sport and can help you find your people.”
Similarly, Gravely believes having a sport count as a credit will help kids find their interests and explore topics they genuinely care about, instead of needing to take a class because it is required.
“Playing a sport of their choosing can seem better since they can do it with their friends or find something they have interest in, rather than a generalized catch-all PE class,” Gravely said.
In contrast, Reed understands the concerns with being exempt from a PE class when playing a sport. Yet, she believes this could also be beneficial to some PE teachers.
“This could mean fewer PE teachers needed and staffing issues,” Reed said. “But could allow PE teachers to teach more specialized classes that they are more interested in and enjoy.”
Furthermore, Reed believes it will help with school spirit and involvement, in hopes to inspire kids to try new things.
“Even if they don’t stick with it, it encourages kids to try to do something that they don’t necessarily gravitate to,” Reed said. “There are also sports that are more individual or team based, so it can help people find what they like and be a part of the school.”
