Success Stories – 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.

MD’s Anne Arundel County Schools Celebrate New Unified PE and Dance Courses

As a large school system, Maryland’s Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS) has always looked for ways to provide a world-class curriculum to all students. Part of the county school system’s strategic plan includes efforts to reach a vision where “all means ALL.”
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VA’s Alexandria City Public Schools Launches New Health/PE Initiatives Using ESSA Funds

In 2015, Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) became one of the first school divisions in Virginia to adopt a health and wellness goal as part of its strategic plan. The goal states: ACPS will promote efforts to enable students to be healthy and ready to learn.
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In-Service Days Inspire Louisiana PE Teachers to Up Their Game

While many schools recognize the importance of quality in-service training to keep teachers abreast of new instructional methods, technological advances, and changes in laws and standards, this type of professional development is far from a “given” — especially in the field of physical education.
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Mock ‘Trials’ and ‘Accidents’ Teach IL Middle Schoolers Hands-On Health Know-How — and a Lot More

As educators have learned, it can’t be assumed that parents will necessarily model healthy behaviors — or give their children the tools to cope with stress, anger and hurt. In addition, parents may be unaware of current fads that are unhealthy, or even dangerous, and might be uncomfortable discussing certain topics.
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Weightlifting Nurtures Strength, Patience and Character in Colorado Students

Many parents are eager to nurture their child’s athleticism by enrolling them at a young age in a competitive sports league or program. As the stakes get higher, the pressure to win and be the best can lead to emotional burnout and injuries that can plague them for a lifetime. Some may give up on sports and exercise altogether.
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Individual Attention and District-Wide ‘PE Culture’ Keeps New York Students Moving Through Life

The nature of physical education creates a unique grading challenge for teachers who want to foster a lifelong love of physical activity. Should passing grades be awarded simply for showing up, participating and not misbehaving — or should knowledge, performance and mastery serve as the major criteria?
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CT Elementary Students to Learn ‘G.R.E.A.T’ Decision-Making Skills for Health and Personal Safety

As Time magazine pointed out in a past issue devoted to health, “The road to wellness begins in childhood and twists and turns over time.” But where do children learn the tools for navigating this winding road and its unseen pitfalls?
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“To Belay or Not to Belay?” Is Never a Question in New Jersey Adventure Ed Program

By the time many students graduate from New Jersey’s Millburn High School, they can attribute much of their growth, self-confidence,and critical life skills to “tests” that are far from conventional — like traversing a shaky cable suspended 30 feet above the ground.
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When Zombies Appear, Fitness Comes to Life at Maryland Middle School

Is technology the enemy of physical activity and fitness for today’s students — or a valuable tool in getting them to embrace it? Bob Russell, physical education and health teacher believes technology, when used properly, may hold the key to changing young people’s exercise behaviors for the better.
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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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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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2017

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

HEALTH EDUCATION