There has been a longstanding debate about whether grades in physical education (PE) classes, also known as gym classes, should be included in a student's grade point average (GPA). Some argue that PE is an important part of a student's overall education and therefore should be included in the GPA, while others argue that PE is a non-academic subject and therefore should not be included in the GPA. In this essay, I will explore both sides of the argument and provide my own perspective on the matter.
On the one hand, proponents of including PE grades in the GPA argue that physical education is a crucial aspect of a student's overall education. Physical activity has been shown to have numerous benefits for both physical and mental health, and PE classes provide students with the opportunity to engage in regular physical activity and develop lifelong healthy habits. In addition, PE classes often teach students important skills such as teamwork, sportsmanship, and leadership, which are valuable in both academic and non-academic settings. Therefore, including PE grades in the GPA could be seen as a way to recognize the importance of physical education and the valuable skills and experiences it provides to students.
On the other hand, opponents of including PE grades in the GPA argue that physical education is a non-academic subject and therefore should not be included in the GPA. Unlike subjects such as math, science, and English, PE does not involve the acquisition of knowledge or skills that are directly relevant to a student's future academic or career goals. Furthermore, grades in PE classes are often based on subjective criteria such as effort, participation, and sportsmanship, which may not accurately reflect a student's overall academic ability or potential. As a result, some argue that including PE grades in the GPA could be unfair to students who may excel academically but struggle in PE, or vice versa.
In my opinion, gym grades should not be included in a student's GPA. While I agree that physical education is an important part of a student's overall education, I believe that it is fundamentally different from academic subjects and should be evaluated separately. Instead of including PE grades in the GPA, schools could consider other ways to recognize the value of physical education, such as awarding special certificates or honors for students who excel in PE.
In conclusion, the question of whether gym grades should be included in a student's GPA is a complex and multifaceted one, with valid arguments on both sides. While physical education is an important aspect of a student's education, I believe that it is a non-academic subject and should be evaluated separately from academic subjects.
