05/08/2026
It starts with a high quality physical education program!!
NEW: Statement from SHAPE America
As the nation’s leading authority on health and physical education, representing more than 200,000 educators, SHAPE America has played a central role in shaping physical education and youth fitness in preK-12 schools for decades. From early national fitness initiatives to our leadership with the President’s Challenge and the Presidential Youth Fitness Program, SHAPE America has helped guide the evolution of how schools approach fitness education and assessment — moving from performance-based models toward practices that prioritize student health, learning, and lifelong physical activity.
We recognize the renewed national focus on youth fitness, including the reinstatement of the Presidential Fitness Test and the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition, as an important opportunity. To be effective, these efforts must be grounded in robust support for high-quality physical education. Fitness education and assessment should be intentionally integrated into a comprehensive, standards-based physical education program — one that is developmentally appropriate, designed to support every student, and informed by scientific evidence.
The SHAPE America National Physical Education Standards, quality physical education instruction, meaningful fitness education, and the appropriate use of assessment empower young people to understand their health, set personal goals, and engage in lifelong physical activity. Elevating and supporting physical education programs nationwide is critical to achieving these outcomes.
SHAPE America continues to support states, school districts, and educators in this work. Through our evidence-based resources, professional development, and our health-related fitness education program (Physical Best), we provide the tools and guidance needed to effectively integrate fitness education and assessment into physical education in ways that are meaningful, standards-aligned, and sustainable for all students. We welcome the opportunity to work with federal and state policy makers, school district leaders, teachers, and parents around these efforts to ensure all children are prepared to lead healthy, physically active lives.
Read more: https://shapeamerica.org/pressroom/2026/announcement-statement-from-shape-america.aspx
