Iowa school giving students PE credits for helping elderly, people with disabilities do yard work

DUBUQUE, Iowa (WTHR) — An alternative school in eastern Iowa is changing the standard when it comes to students' physical education credits.

While some students across the nation have earned PE credits with extracurricular activities like athletics and marching band, the Alternative Learning Center is giving students the option to do something else: yard work.

The Alternative Learning Center is a school for high school juniors and seniors who are at risk of dropping out of school. The school offers courses outside the traditional high school setting.

Part of the school's curriculum is choosing activities to count toward PE credits, according to KWWL. This year, some students are helping people in the community who cannot do yard work themselves.

Teacher Tim Hitzler said he and his students will be raking leaves, pulling weeds, cutting grass, and any other tasks that might need to be completed. He said he wanted to add the yard work as an option for the end-of-the-year activities because it helps both the students and the community.