Case Studies – 50 Million Strong

Throughout the country, SHAPE America members are leading effective health education, physical education and physical activity programs that make a difference! Share these examples of best practices with school administrators, parents and legislators.

Tennessee K-4 Students’ Daily Dose of Physical Education Teaches Fitness Skills for a Lifetime

Nearly 35 percent of Tennessee adults are considered obese, which ranks it sixth in the U.S., according to a national study released in August 2017. Up 21 percent since 2000, the obesity rate also brings many related health issues.
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With Nowhere to Go but up, Louisiana PE Advocates Tip the Scales in Their Favor

With Louisiana’s alarmingly high rates of childhood and adult obesity, ensuring funding for HPE programs in Louisiana schools should be easy. However, as one SHAPE America member found out, it’s not that simple.
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Minnesota Health and PE Advocates Make Valuable Strides Through Statewide Outreach

How do you turn state education officials into allies and advocates for your cause? “Seize every opportunity to reach out to decision makers and present your case.”
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‘Many Voices Send a Loud Message’ to Ensure Physical Education Funding for GA Students

Although the ESSA sanctioned health and physical education as part of a well-rounded education, the burden of prioritizing how funds are spent and what schools are held accountable for now rests in the hands of states and school districts.
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Jumping to Make Impactful Heart-Healthy Connections Through Gamification, Technology and Personalized Learning

No matter the lesson or activity, every educator knows there will always be varying levels of interest — and their job is to motivate all students to actively learn and participate.
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Elective PE Classes Draw a Capacity Crowd in NM

Childhood obesity is a problem that weighs heavily on New Mexico — literally. More than 25 percent of the state’s kindergarten students are overweight or obese — higher than the 17 percent national average, according to the New Mexico Department of Health.
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Seniors and 7th Graders Learn That ‘Moving Through the Ages’ Nets Unforeseen Benefits

For the seventh graders, Moving Through the Ages provided a valuable perspective they might never have gained. Through this intergenerational experience, they could become aware that staying and keeping fit is a lifelong journey.
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‘Fit Kids Fit Future’ Teaches Key Movements for Life

What percentage of children and adults can do a push-up, chin-up, lunge, air squat, or touch their toes? The number might surprise you, says Tammy Alcott, SHAPE America member and recently retired physical education (PE) teacher from Waterville Junior-Senior High School in Waterville, NY.
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Luther College’s ‘Project ResPEct’ Fosters Beneficial Collaborations Between HPE Undergrads and Alumni

As undergraduates, future health and physical education teachers seldom have an opportunity to work closely with local alumni who can mentor them and provide hands-on experience as they explore and develop their own unique teaching style.
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S.C. ‘FIGHT Club’ Members Lose Pounds and Gain Fitness, Fun and Camaraderie

If high school students want to be active after school, their only choice is usually athletics — but many simply aren’t comfortable participating in sports with their highly skilled peers. “Overweight students may have had particularly bad experiences in PE and grapple with a variety of emotional, social and physical issues.
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Students in Baton Rouge Elementary School Get a “Jump” Start on Learning

Richardson used the techniques at her former teaching job to alleviate students’ mental fatigue during annual, four-hour achievement tests. When school-wide test scores rose a full point that first year and another four points by the third year, the administration was convinced that Richardson was on to something.
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Classroom Breakfasts and Fun Workouts Prepare Helena, MT Elementary Students for a Healthy, Productive School Day

Rossiter Elementary School Nurse found herself overwhelmed by the number of students coming into her office after the morning bell rang. They complained of stomachaches and headaches, but had no fever. “Are you hungry?” she asked them.
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Lights, Camera, Action! Video-Game Technology Gives Fitness a High-Tech Boost at Ohio Elementary School

When schools want to create innovative physical education and health initiatives, finding funding can be a challenge — and when they find it, they face the daunting decision of how best to spend it.
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Wellness Unites Students, Employees at Richmond, VA’s Collegiate School

It may sound like a utopian ideal, but at the independent K-12 Collegiate School in Richmond, VA, the “wellness bug” that caught on more than 12 years ago has positively infected the entire 1,600-student, 425-staff school community.
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Hear How It’s Done: Kentucky Health and PE Teachers Mobilize to Get a Seat at the ESSA Table

With the passage of the ESSA in late 2015, health and physical education are now rightly considered critical components of a student’s well-rounded education — but there are no guarantees that funding will funnel to health and physical education or that these programs will be prioritized without aggressive and strategic action.
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Changing School Cultures Through Unified Physical Education

Through adapted physical education classes, students with special needs have the opportunity to safely and successfully participate in physical education, and learn fitness and wellness skills. However, for students with visual and hearing impairments, autism, or other disabilities, inclusion remains a challenge.
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Let the Games Begin: Recess at Thomasville Primary School Makes Every Student a Winner

A wellness team headed by Healthy Eating Active Living Coordinator (HEAL) Alyson Shoaf embarked on radical recess reform, beginning with grant-supported training from Playworks on recess. Major changes required full teacher engagement and the enthusiastic support of the administration.
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Just Add Water: ‘Anchors Away’ Program Transforms Miami-Dade Students With Disabilities

Miami-Dade Public Schools PE teacher Annie Perez was seeking something that would inspire and motivate students with disabilities. “Children with disabilities are often overlooked outside of the traditional school setting.
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2016

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Program Proves More Recess Improves Academic Performance and Behavior

HEALTH EDUCATION

Milwaukee Schools Team Up With United Way and Community to Reduce Teen Pregnancy by 56%

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