2016 Shape of the Nation

First compiled nearly 30 years ago, the latest status of physical education in this country was released today in Minneapolis, MN, at the SHAPE America National Convention & Expo, the largest gathering of physical educators in the country.

“The benefits of physical education ring clear as a school bell,” says Nancy Brown, American Heart Association CEO. “With effective physical education, we can keep kids’ hearts healthy and their minds in gear to do their best at school every day.”

The report highlights only a handful of states set any minimum amount of time for elementary (19) and middle school (15) students to participate in physical education. Shape of the Nation compiles data on the status of physical education requirements from every state and Washington, D.C., and provides a snapshot of how each state is meeting – or not meeting – the criteria of a high-quality physical education state policy. While only Oregon and the District of Columbia require the amount of time recommended by national experts at both elementary and middle school levels, this does not always equate to effective implementation in every school. More than half of states (62%) permit school districts or schools to allow students to substitute other activities for their required physical education credit, undermining the requirements above. Unfortunately, many states also allow physical activity to be withheld or used as a punishment. The vast majority of states only meet about half of the criteria and a few – including Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Kentucky, Nebraska, Nevada, Texas and Utah – need to pick up the pace on their state policies.

Each state profile in the report is a guidepost for states as they consider how to close the achievement gap and improve the health of students. The good news for states is that the recent passage of the federal education law, Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), includes physical education as part of a well-rounded education, meaning that school districts can use Title I, Title II and Title IV federal funding to improve their physical education programs. States must now address the whole child through their state education plans by offering students access to a well-rounded education, which should include robust physical education programs.

According to SHAPE America CEO E. Paul Roetert, “Students will benefit now that physical education is a subject included within the definition of a well-rounded education. Physical education teachers are uniquely qualified to ensure that all of America’s students develop the skills, knowledge and confidence to enjoy healthy, meaningful physical activity for a lifetime. Using the results of 2016 Shape of the Nation as an advocacy tool and the new ESSA funding opportunities for physical education, these educators are now poised to go directly to state decision makers to improve physical education policies and programs for all children.”

National guidelines recommend moderate to intense physical activity for children at least one hour a day. To help meet these, the American Heart Association and SHAPE America recommend states require elementary students receive 150 minutes per week and middle and high school students receive 225 minutes per week of instructional physical education.

While the guidelines are built on the need to develop lifelong healthy habits, there are a number of other benefits to being active for children. First, studies show that when kids participate in daily physical education, there is an immediate benefit to their ability to learn in other classes and achieve higher test scores. Not only does physical education, increase academic achievement and improved classroom behavior but the skills learned in physical education lay the foundation for a lifetime of fitness that our nation cannot afford to lose.

Both the American Heart Association and SHAPE America are leading efforts to help improve access to physical education in schools in every community across America. This week, SHAPE America is bringing together physical education teachers from across the nation to meet with experts and share best practices at its National Convention & Expo. The American Heart Association recently released a public service announcement on the importance of physical education to children’s overall success. You can learn more at www.ShapeAmerica.org/ShapeoftheNation and VoicesForHealthyKids.org/PE.

From the seemingly simple action of throwing a baseball to the more intricate action of hula hoops and jump ropes, physical education teaches our children critical movements and brings with it the sheer joy of making your first goal, basket or catch. This is no small moment in a society where the lack of physical activity is keeping our children from achieving their full potential as heart-healthy adults.

Voices for Healthy Kids® is a joint initiative of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) and the American Heart Association (AHA). The collaboration is working with communities across the nation to ensure that children have access to healthy food and physical activity where they live, learn and play. For more information, visit www.voicesforhealthykids.org.

SHAPE America – SHAPE America – Society of Health and Physical Educators is the nation’s largest membership organization of health and physical education professionals. Since its founding in 1885, the organization has defined excellence in physical education, and our National Standards for K-12 Physical Education serve as the foundation for well-designed physical education programs across the country. We provide programs, resources and advocacy to support health and physical educators at every level, from preschool to university graduate programs. SHAPE America has 50 state affiliates and is a founding partner of national initiatives such as the Presidential Youth Fitness Program, Let’s Move! Active Schools and the Jump Rope For Heart/Hoops For Heart programs. “50 Million Strong by 2029” is our commitment to empower all children to lead healthy and active lives through health and physical education programs. For more information, visit www.shapeamerica.org.