EPEC Honored with National Award

February 28, 2002

ATLANTA - The Exemplary Physical Education Curriculum (EPEC) was awarded yesterday for outstanding achievements in its field. The award was presented to Glenna DeJong, Ph.D., Vice President of Educational Programs and Candance Kokinakis, Ph.D, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, at the National Conference on Chronic Disease Prevention and Control, co-sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.

The award, for Achievement in Prevention Research and Research Translation in Chronic Disease, is given for outstanding contributions that have influenced theory, conceptual frameworks, methods, program practices or approaches to evaluation in chronic disease.

"I am proud of EPEC's achievements, as it is being recognized nationally as a quality physical education program that can positively impact the lives of millions of children," said DeJong.

"We are extremely proud that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recognized Michigan's efforts to improve the health of its children," said Michigan Department of Community Health Director, James K. Haveman, Jr.  "The Governor's Council on Physical Fitness, Health and Sports has done an outstanding job working with schools to improve physical education."

EPEC, a program of the Michigan Governor's Council on Physical Fitness, Health and Sports, is a physical education curriculum that provides students with the fitness levels, motor skills, activity-related knowledge and personal/social characteristics they need to be active for life. The goal of EPEC is to shift the emphasis of physical education away from merely keeping children "busy, happy and good," toward instruction based on clearly stated outcomes.

Presently, more than 2,000 teachers have been trained in EPEC, representing over 60% of Michigan school districts; and teachers from 23 other states have purchased the EPEC curriculum. Materials are available for Grades K-5, and 6-8; and additional middle and high school materials are being introduced beginning last November with the Volleyball Lifetime Activity module. The next secondary module, Golf, will be available in the spring.

For more information about EPEC, call toll free (877) 4MI-EPEC, or visit www.michiganfitness.org.