Healthy and Active Schools

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) identifies school health and physical education (HPE) as part of a student's well-rounded education, giving all HPE teachers an opportunity to elevate their program and gain support from their school and local community.

SHAPE America can help you build an effective HPE program
that prepares all students to lead healthy and active lives.

Check out these helpful tools for K-12 teachers including special resources for early childhood and adapted physical education and physical activity.

New for You!

Here's How You Can Get Started

Evaluate your program and instruction

Understand the Essential Components of Physical Education
Follow the National Standards and introduce them to your students
Learn more about Appropriate Practices in School-Based Health Education as well as Physical Education
Integrate new activity ideas using SHAPE America's standards-based resources and grade-level activity calendars

Commit yourself to lifelong learning

Take advantage of professional development opportunities for health and physical education teachers
Learn from free professional development featuring webinars relevant to health and physical educators
Take advantage of SHAPE America's Unplugged and ToyTalk series

Communicate your passion about the profession

Lead your school's efforts to incorporate at least 60 minutes of daily physical activity before, during and after school for all students
Join or renew your membership in SHAPE America
Use SHAPE America advocacy resources to garner local, state and national legislative support for health and physical education