Position Statements
SHAPE America’s position statements reflect the organization’s official stance on key issues affecting physical education, physical activity, and school-based health education — offering evidence-based guidance to inform policy and practice at the local, state, and national levels.
These statements are typically developed by members of SHAPE America’s program councils and/or task forces.
Recent Position Statements
New! Released: 2026
School-Based Intramurals and Youth Sport Programs
SHAPE America recommends that all schools offer before- and after-school physical activity programs that include sports programs (intramural and/or and interscholastic) as part of their Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program (CSPAP).
New! Released: 2026
Supporting the Implementation of School-Based Employee Wellness Programs
In this position statement, SHAPE America recommends and supports the planning, implementation and sustainability of school-based employee wellness policies and programs.
New! Released: 2026
Access to Physical Activity Opportunities Before and After the School Day
In this position statement, SHAPE America recommends that all schools provide before- and after-school physical activity opportunities as part of their Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program (CSPAP).
Released: 2023
Comprehensive School Physical Activity Programs: Opportunities and Access for All
In this position statement, SHAPE America recommends that all schools implement a Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program (CSPAP). A CSPAP provides educators, administrators, and schools with the guidance they need to promote equitable and inclusive academic, social-emotional, and physical development for all students.
Released: 2023
Code of Ethics for Health Educators, Physical Educators, and Wellness Professionals
In this position statement, SHAPE America outlines principles for health education, physical education, and wellness professionals to achieve and maintain high ethical standards of competency of knowledge, skills, and integrity of practice.
Older Position Statements
- Physical Activity Should Not Be Used as Punishment and/or Behavior Management (2021)
SHAPE America asserts the position that withholding physical activity (PA) and physical education (PE) as a form of punishment and/or behavior management is inappropriate. In addition, administering physical activity as punishment is inappropriate. - Sex Education Is a Critical Component of School Health Education (2021)
SHAPE America supports age- and developmentally appropriate sex education as a critical component for all K-12 students in the United States. Standards-based sex education should be skills-based and comprehensive in scope. It should use accurate information and be responsive and affirming to the culture, identities, and lived experiences of students, families, and the community. - Supporting the Implementation of School-Based Employee Wellness Programs (2018)
SHAPE America supports schools in planning, implementing and sustaining school-based employee wellness policies and programs. - Student Recruitment for Physical Education and Health Education Teacher Education Programs (2018)
There is a pressing need to address recruitment and admission challenges for physical education and health education teacher education (PETE/HETE) programs. Many PETE/HETE programs are struggling to recruit students and this has important implications for PETE/HETE’s contribution to the teacher pipeline, teaching quality, and K-12 student learning. - Health Education is a Critical Component of a Well-Rounded Education (2018)
SHAPE America’s position: SHAPE America believes that a preK-12 comprehensive skills-based health education program is a critical component of a student’s well-rounded education in order to support healthy and academically successful students. - Physical Education is Essential for All Students (2018)
- Eligibility Criteria for Adapted Physical Education Services (2018)
- Dodgeball Is Not an Appropriate Physical Education Activity (2017)
- Physical Education Is an Academic Subject (2017)
- Using the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child Model to Ensure Student Health and Success (2016)
- Before and After-School Physical Activity and Intramural Sport Programs (2013)
