Provide access to and opportunities for high-quality, comprehensive physical activity programs, anchored by physical education, in Pre-kindergarten through grade 12 educational settings. Ensure that the programs are physically active, inclusive, safe, and developmentally and culturally appropriate.
TACTICS
- Advocate for increased federal funding of programs such as the Carol White Physical Education for Progress (PEP) grant program.
- Include in funding criteria the development of state-of-the-art, comprehensive physical activity demonstration programs and pilot projects, and effective evaluation of those programs.
- Include a preference for adoption of physical education (PE) and physical activity (PA) programs demonstrated to provide high amounts of physical activity.
- Widely disseminate successful demonstration and pilot programs and those with practice-based evidence. Work with states to identify areas of great need, prioritizing funding efforts toward lower-resourced communities.
- Provide adequate funding for research that advances this strategy and all other education sector strategies.
- Require pre-service and continuing education for physical education and elementary classroom teachers to deliver high-quality physical education and physical activity programs.
- Provide continuing education classes and seminars for all teachers on state-of-the-art physical activities for children that provide information on adapting activities for children with disabilities, in classrooms and physical education settings.
- Encourage higher education institutions to train future teachers and school personnel on the importance of physical activity to academic achievement and success for students from Pre-kindergarten through grade 12.
