The Scenario

The Governor of California just announced that, due to budget constraints, Physical Education will no longer be offered in K-12 schools in California. Recess is still allowed and athletic programs will still be funded. All K-12 Physical Education teachers will have the option to resign, retire, or be retrained as a classroom teacher.

In response to the Governor’s announcement, there has been a dramatic nationwide pushback from university PETE students, physical education teachers, classroom teachers, parents, and even K-12 students. Both SHAPE and CAHPERD are politically active and have emailed members with an opportunity to join the fight to advocate for high-quality, standards-based Physical Education in schools. In fact, they are pushing for additional funding to have a credentialed Physical Education teacher in every elementary, middle, and High School and for every student to engage in Physical Education class every day of the week.

As a university PETE student, you have decided to join the fight and do all you can to advocate for our profession and for the lifelong wellness of children and adolescents. You plan to either write a letter to send to parents, staff, and administrators in your school community, OR make an advocacy video to post on social media and send to your state legislator.

Criteria for your Advocacy Video or Letter

In whichever advocacy strategy you choose (video or letter), please include the following (doesn’t have to be in this order) as part of your overall argument.

 State the official purpose of Physical Education as described by SHAPE

 Note the health benefits of lifetime physical activity and cite at least one research study to support your claim

 Note how Physical Education is uniquely different and more beneficial than physical activity, recess, sports, and classroom movement breaks

 Note the five old SHAPE standards (or the four new ones adopted in 2024) and a brief explanation of how each individual standard is critical to the growth and development of youth. Include a hyperlink to the standards if writing a letter.

 Specify how Physical Education can be meaningful to students and cite specific strategies from the book on Meaningful PE

 Describe how your PE classes are a positive learning environment. Dispel any myths about PE for anyone who may think it’s just mandatory sports, frequent timed mile runs, dodgeball everyday, and/or simply coaches rolling out the ball and pretending to be teachers.

o Reference at least one lesson you’ve learned (or a philosophy of your teaching) through your own teaching experiences or observations with Paradise-U

Cite at least two published articles to back up some of your statements and two hyperlinks (to a website, social media post, SHAPE GLO, video clip, etc.) that strengthen your case. Add a reference list at the end. If creating a newsletter, it should include supporting photos and content that is engaging and educational. Length should be approximately 2-4 pages double-spaced.

If creating a video, it should be about 10 minutes long. Your audience is a state legislator and you’re representing California State University, Chico, so dress professionally, be articulate, and be mindful of the background in your video.