Administrator Support for Health and Physical Education
The pandemic illuminated the need for schools to consider students’ physical, mental, and social-emotional health above all else — and an important part of the solution must be health and physical education.
School administrators — including principals, district-level administrators and superintendents — provide vital leadership in the schools and communities they serve. We encourage administrators to take advantage of funding opportunities to develop and expand programs that improve the physical, mental and emotional health of their students.
Administrator Series
The SHAPE America Administrator Series highlights administrators from around the country who understand the critical link between health and education — and who have created school environments that prioritize student health and wellness.
Featured Administrators
Scott Taylor
Principal, Park Brook Elementary School (MN)
Why Our Elementary School Keeps Its Focus on Fitness: A Principal’s Perspective
Ashley Krause
Associate Superintendent, Farmington R7 School District (MO)
How Our School District Used the WSCC Model to Promote Health and Wellness
Administrator Blog Posts
Movement Matters: 5 Ways Physical Activity Improves Student Behavior
– Kaitlyn Falk, Erie’s Public Schools (PA)
5 Simple Ways Principals Can Prioritize Health and Wellness This School Year
– Jennifer Perilla, Tyler Elementary School (VA)
How to Prioritize Health and Physical Education
Establish and adopt policies, standards and guidelines
- Support the development of a Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program (CSPAP)
- Use the new SHAPE America National Physical Education Standards and National Health Education Standards in your school
- Download legislation talking points, policy guidance and guidelines which can be used to develop and evaluate health, physical education and recess policies at the state, school district or school level.
Evaluate and elevate existing programs
- Use the Administrator’s Observation Checklist for Indicators of Effective Physical Education Instruction
- Familiarize yourself with current best practices for physical education using SHAPE America’s PE Now infographic
- Understand the Essential Components of Physical Education (new edition coming fall 2025!).
- Learn more about Appropriate Practices in School-Based Health Education
- Learn more about Inclusive Practices in Health Education
- Clarify what makes a well-qualified health and physical education teacher
Support your HPE program with strong staff and strong initiatives
- Provide professional development opportunities for your health and physical education teachers
New National Standards Are Here!
Learn more about the new SHAPE America National Physical Education Standards and National Health Education Standards.
Leading Healthy Schools
This free professional development program, created in partnership with the CDC Healthy Schools branch, will equip school and district administrators with the knowledge and skills to lead healthy schools. Register for the inaugural cohort by August 28.
It’s Time to Prioritize Health & Physical Education
Physical Education and Physical Activity; Kids Need Both
Using the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child Model to Ensure Student Success
Benefits of Physical Education & Physical Activity
Professional Learning & Events
SHAPE America offers a wide range of standards-based webinars, workshops and other professional development options for individual educators, as well as group training for schools and districts.
View All Resources
