Register now for 2027 SPEAK Out! Day.
Join UsOrder SPEAK Out! Day apparel by December 5.
Browse HPE MerchSubmit travel scholarship application by January 5.
Apply NowSPEAK Out! Day
February 23-24, 2027
SHAPE America’s annual advocacy event for health and physical education.
For more than a decade, SHAPE America has worked to build relationships on Capitol Hill and establish a strong voice for our profession, which has led to more federal support and funding for health and physical education programs.
Why were we able to achieve these successes? Because our voices are stronger together.
We hope you’ll join us on February 23-24 for SPEAK Out! Day 2027! If you have any questions, please contact Carly Wright at cwright@shapeamerica.org.
You Can Be an HPE Advocate
You don’t need any experience to participate in SPEAK Out! Day! Here’s what you’ll experience during the two-day event:
- Professional advocacy training, with tools to make you a stronger advocate;
- Face-to-face meetings with members of Congress and/or their staff;
- The chance to have a direct impact on education policy.
By showing up and speaking out together, educators like you can help secure increased federal funding for health and physical education programs.
Join Us in D.C.
2027 Preliminary Agenda
Prep Session
Tuesday, February 23, 2027
1:30-5:30 p.m. ET
During the prep session, you will receive training on the state of play in Congress, as well as meeting talking points and recent funding decisions impacting education. This training is critical in ensuring you are prepared to represent SHAPE America in your meetings with members of Congress.
Capitol Hill Meetings
Wednesday, February 24, 2027
8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET
- 8 a.m.: Bus departs for Capitol Hill
- 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Meetings with Congress
- 3:30 p.m.: Bus departs Capitol Hill for airport and hotel
SPEAK Out! Day Travel Scholarships
SHAPE America offers a limited number of grants to offset travel costs to attend 2027 SPEAK Out! Day. Current SHAPE America membership is required, and submission does not guarantee funding.
All applications are due by midnight ET on January 5, 2027. Award recipients will be selected by SHAPE America and notified personally by January 14, 2027.
Apply Now
New SPEAK Out! Day Apparel
Now you can show off your passion for the profession while supporting HPE advocacy efforts! All profits from sales of our limited-edition 2027 SPEAK Out! Day merchandise go toward funding SPEAK Out! Day travel scholarships.
All purchases must be made by Saturday, December 5.
Browse HPE MerchThanks to Our
SPEAK Out! Day Sponsors
Frequently Asked Questions for SPEAK Out! Day
You do not. But, chances are, you already have some type of advocacy experience, and maybe you don’t even know it! Have you discussed why health & PE are important with your students, colleagues, or school administrators? You’re an advocate! SHAPE America will provide advocacy training for all SPEAK Out! Day participants.
Please do not register for SPEAK Out! Day unless you are sure you are able to participate. As Congressional meetings are scheduled, it’s incredibly important to know who is able to participate in these meetings with members of Congress and Congressional staff. We don’t want to have any “no shows” for Congressional meetings as that could reflect poorly on SHAPE America. If you register and later discover you cannot attend, please just let Carly Wright know as soon as possible at cwright@shapeamerica.org.
In order to streamline the appointment-making process and coordinate the overall schedule, SHAPE America will be making the appointments with legislators. You will be notified of your appointment schedule at the prep session on Tuesday, February 10. If you do have a personal relationship with one of your legislators, please just reach out to SHAPE America directly to coordinate a plan for scheduling your meetings.
Yes, both the prep webinar and prep session are mandatory for all SPEAK Out! Day attendees. During the prep webinar you will receive training on Congressional meeting logistics and the meeting scheduling process for this year. During the prep session you will receive training on the state of play in Congress, meeting talking points, and responses to potential pushback you could receive during your meetings. This training is critical in ensuring you are prepared to represent SHAPE America in your meetings with members of Congress.
Advocate for HPE Using Social Media
Social media is a powerful and necessary tool in our fight for #MoreTitleIV funding, and the perfect time to advocate via social media is right now.
- Use these sample social media messages to encourage colleagues, family, and friends to join your efforts to “speak out” for school health and physical education.
- Tag your lawmaker in your social media posts before, during, and after your meetings. Remember to send a message out within 24 hours.
- Official hashtags to use include #SHAPEAdvocacy, #SpeakOutDay, and #MoreTitleIV!
Tweet to Family & Friends
When posting, be sure to use #MoreTitleIV and other HPE hashtags of your choice, such as #Physed, #HealthEd, #SHAPEPhysEd, #SHAPEHealthEd.
Here are some sample messages to use:
- Health and PE are where students learn how to stay healthy and active. Let’s ask lawmakers to continue funding TitleIV, Part A under ESSA! #MoreTitleIV http://bit.ly/2BQ83ee
- When students are active and healthy they do better in school & in life! Join me in advocating for #MoreTitleIV funds for health and PE! http://bit.ly/2BQ83ee
- Tell #Congress, we need #MoreTitleIV! Fund ESSA to the authorized amount http://bit.ly/2BQ83ee
- A well-rounded education includes #healthed & #physed. Let’s ensure these programs get the funding they deserve! #SHAPEAdvocacy http://bit.ly/2nXAsFb
- Help me ensure resources that can help students who are struggling with stress, trauma and other mental health issues get proper funding #MoreTitleIV http://bit.ly/2nXAsFb
- It’s time to prioritize health & physical education, students’ well-being depends on it! #SHAPEAdvocacy http://bit.ly/2BQ83ee
Tweet Directly to Your Congressional Representatives
When posting, be sure to use #SPEAKOutDay and#MoreTitleIV.
Here are some sample messages to use:
- Great meeting you (fill in your lawmaker’s handle), excited we can give schools the funding access they need to provide a well-rounded education! #MoreTitleIV
- (fill in your lawmaker’s handle) Kids need to have opportunities to lead active, healthy lives. It starts with effective #HPE in schools. Support #MoreTitleIV
- Got to visit with (fill in your lawmaker’s handle) and share my story of how #HPE directly impact students. Please continue to support #MoreTitleIV
Click here for a list of members of Congress’ Twitter handles
More Tweetable Ideas
- Tweet about your local and national advocacy opportunities, including feedback from lawmakers and any other stakeholder meetings including PTA, school board and local government.
- Continue to share stories of local impact throughout the school year on social media and tag your lawmakers when possible.
- Connect and directly engage with your representatives throughout the coming weeks!
