Advocacy Resources

Advocacy Resources for Physical Education

Unfortunately quality physical education is not happening everywhere. While some of this is due to ineffective teaching practices, we believe the large bulk of responsibility lies with inappropriate education policies (ie. contact hours, class sizes, etc.) and lack of support (ie. professional development opportunities, facilities, etc.). Use the resources on this page, and our other advocacy pages, to help advocate for a quality physical education program.

Stone Soup Fable (from our No Excuses Documentary)

SPARK Advocacy Webinar

Advocacy Guidelines

Be proactive rather than reactive. If you wait until your program needs advocacy, it may be too late.
Start with easy advocacy strategies such using a school bulletin board and building a support team.
Have a prepared "elevator speech"; you never know when when an opportunity will present itself.
Share what you do with parents (example 1 and example 2) and participate in Take Your Parent to PE Week.
Communicate to stakeholders via school functions, class website, newsletters, presentations, videos, social media, etc.
Collaborate with class teachers and involve their content in your classes (examples).
Get local support via petitions and invite the community to your classes.
Write blog posts and post advocacy comments on online articles related to physical education.
Respond to state and national legislation initiatives.
Provide testimony at local, state, and national forums (ie. SPEAK Out! Day).
Involve people who fight for social justice (articles on PE and social justice).
Remember that advocacy is a long term

advocacy Resources for Physical Education

Advocacy Advice

5 Ways to Change How Other Teachers View Physical Education

Using Evidence to Advocate for High Quality Physical Education

Advocacy Resources and Toolkits

Advocacy Letters (COVID)

RESOURCES TO SHARE WITH PARENTS

Articles

Websites

Campaigns to Increase Opportunities for Physical Activity

LAWSUITS REGARDING MANDATED PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Advocacy Infographics from supportrealteachers.org

Exercise and Learning

Advocacy Brochure

Advocacy Figure 1

Advocacy Figure 2

Quality Physical Education

Physical Education and Politics

Waivers for PE?

Standards Based Physical Education

Physical Education Standards Infographic

advocacy infographics FROM Other WEBSITES

National Standards for K-12 Physical Education

8 Minion Reasons Why PE is Important

Why Schools Need a Powerful P.E. Policy

Physical Activity for 5 – 18 Years

The Effect of Budget Cuts on P.E.

Healthy, Active Living Lives Here

I Believe in Quality Phys.Ed

Unfit to Serve

What is Physical Literacy?

Physical Literacy

Physical Education vs Physical Activity

High School Students Find Value in Health and Physical Education

Why is it Important to be Active Everyday

P.A. Builds a Healthy & Strong America

The Many Rewards of Physical Activity

Your Brain on Exercise

ADDITIONAL INFOGRAPHIC Collections

RESOURCES FOR NEWSLETTERS, ADVOCACY VIDEOS, AND WEBSITES

It is important for physical education teachers to inform parents and administrators about the great things they are doing in their classes. Share what you do in your class, why it is important, and how they can support your efforts at home. These advocacy efforts can help garner support for your program from parents and administration if budget cuts become a threat.

Example Video Using MySimpleShow

RESOURCES FOR PRESENTING TO A SCHOOL BOARD

Tailor presentations to the stakeholders you are addressing and collaborate with other education professionals.
Show evidence of student learning through personal case studies, assessments, and student testimonials.
Share local, state, and national guidelines and recommendations; organizational position statements on physical education; and research studies that support physical education (see our page The Importance of Physical Education and What Does Quality Physical Education Look Like for these resources).
Be prepared for possible arguments that may be made for not following physical education guidelines and recommendations (ie. course substitutions/waivers).