Houston ISD Teams up with U.S. Soccer Foundation to Bring Soccer into School for 29,000 Students

More than 29,000 students across Houston Independent School District will have a new soccer specific unit as part of their health and physical education classes in the coming months thanks to a new collaboration between the district and the U.S. Soccer Foundation.

Last week, 67 physical educators from 72 schools across the district participated in a half-day Soccer for Success School Curriculum training as part of a professional development day. The Soccer for Success School Curriculum provides a turnkey way for educators to teach the fundamentals of soccer while integrating activities that empower students to establish life-long healthy habits and improve their physical and health literacy.

The half-day training prepared educators to successfully implement the curriculum and to achieve positive outcomes for their students through both classroom and soccer sessions. Educators left with increased soccer expertise to bring back to their students and 1,200 soccer balls were distributed to schools represented at the training.

“The training was very impactful for our teachers and we know that impact will carry over to our students,” said Felicia Ceaser-White, K-12 Health and Physical Education Curriculum Coordinator, Houston Independent School District. “Our teachers now have additional soccer expertise. The lessons in the curriculum will help us engage our students in a way that they will not only grow their soccer skills, but other skills as well. And the donation of the 1,200 soccer balls will equip our schools and help us implement the curriculum.”

“The physical educators in Houston ISD are passionate about their students and their programs. Teaching physical education isn’t about rolling out the ball. It’s about providing students the opportunity to develop skills that can be utilized outside of the school day,” said Lisa Perry, Director, Soccer for Success at the U.S. Soccer Foundation.

She continued, “Teachers who participate in professional development acquire a deeper understanding and skill set and that translates into quality instruction for students. The teachers came ready to learn and participated fully, just like they expect their students to do. The teachers’ excitement about soccer was evident today and that enthusiasm will be carried into their classrooms when they teach soccer to their students.”

In addition to Houston ISD, NYC Public Schools, the School District of Philadelphia, Yakima School District (WA), Richland 1 School District (SC), and Cleveland Metropolitan School District are among other school districts who are using the Soccer for Success School Curriculum.

The Soccer for Success School Curriculum is designed for grades K-8 curriculum and is aligned to SHAPE America’s National Physical Education Standards. The curriculum can be used by physical and health educators or classroom teachers. It includes five grade levels with 10 lesson plans per grade level. The curriculum is evidence-informed and developed by Physical Education experts, the U.S. Soccer Foundation, and US Youth Soccer.

About the U.S. Soccer Foundation

The U.S. Soccer Foundation’s programs are the national model for sports-based youth development in underserved communities. Since its founding in 1994, the Foundation has established programs proven to help children embrace an active and healthy lifestyle while nurturing their personal growth beyond sports. Its cost-effective, high-impact initiatives offer safe environments where kids and communities thrive. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the U.S. Soccer Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization. For more information visit www.ussoccerfoundation.org or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.