New Research Explores Physical Education in America

The Community Guide endorses school-based physical education (PE) as a proven method to boost physical activity among young people. Despite this, there is concern that exposure to PE has significantly diminished among U.S. students over the past ten years. Limited funding, a focus on core academic subjects, and various other challenges have been suggested as reasons for this perceived decline. However, there is a lack of comprehensive studies to validate these concerns, leading to unanswered questions such as: • Has PE attendance decreased among U.S. students in recent decades? • What policies and practices exist to ensure quality PE? To address these questions, the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition assigned the National Physical Activity Plan Alliance (NPAPA) to evaluate the available evidence and compile their conclusions. The primary aim was to better understand PE exposure trends to shape national recommendations and strategies. NPAPA initiated a collaboration with experts from the federal government, industry, and academia. The team reviewed national data to assess shifts in PE attendance and current PE policies and practices. Their work resulted in a comprehensive report and two scholarly articles, with a summary of findings below. Key Findings: The study found that the proportion of U.S. high school students attending PE classes remained unchanged from 1991 to 2015. Contrary to popular belief, PE attendance among these students has not significantly declined. Additionally, half of the high school students did not participate in PE classes throughout the 24 years examined. This consistency was observed across the total sample and subgroups categorized by gender and race/ethnicity. Although daily PE attendance dropped by 16% from 1991 to 1995, it stabilized through 2015. Regarding policies for quality physical education, only 0.2% of the surveyed schools implemented all seven essential components of PE. Over 65% of schools adopted 2-4 of these key policies. The implementation varied by region, urban/rural status, and school level. Moreover, the data highlights that minority students have been disproportionately affected by PE program cuts over the last two decades. Recommendations Based on Key Findings: • Prioritize efforts to enhance surveillance data collection on PE attendance trends among elementary and middle school students. • Formulate policies that ensure better PE access for all students, promoting greater physical activity among youth. • Implement policies and programs that emphasize PE to maximize its health benefits. • Use findings to focus on professional development and provide technical support for PE practitioners. The Education sector of the NPAP offers strategies and approaches based on evidence to help ensure high-quality PE for all students. Further details and links to the manuscripts are available on the NPAPA website: http://physicalactivityplan.org/projects/physicaleducation.html.