The Legislature hereby finds and declares that the physical fitness and motor development of children in the public elementary schools is of equal importance to that of other elements of the curriculum.

The Legislature further finds that, in order to improve the level of physical education in the elementary grades, the Superintendent of Public Instruction shall, through the regular budget process, employ an elementary physical education specialist to develop model curriculum standards in physical education for grades 1 to 8, inclusive, provide technical assistance to teachers, and assist school districts in the development of their physical education programs.