National Physical Education Standards

National Physical Education Standards, Fourth Edition, is the go-to book for all physical education teachers, providing the framework for creating curricula, designing lesson plans, and developing assessments. Created by SHAPE America - Society of Health and Physical Educators, the leading advocate for health and physical education, this text unveils the revised standards and new Grade-Span Learning Indicators, offers practical guidelines for implementation, and advances the idea that physical education means equity, access, and inclusion for all.

The text has been designed so teachers can easily build relevant and developmentally appropriate learning experiences that engage all preK-12 learners. Incorporating the standards, the text creates a framework for physical educators to focus on the well-being of the whole person and their physical literacy journey. This latest edition reflects the following key shifts:

• Grade-Span Learning Indicators that replace grade-level outcomes
• Learning Progressions that offer sample sequential tasks to address a range of skill abilities
• The research in motor development that provided the foundation for restructuring the National PE Standards and Grade-Span Learning Indicators
• Expansion of the term physical literacy to reflect the developmental journey students experience through their time as physical education students

National Physical Education Standards, Fourth Edition, begins by documenting the revisions process, including the research evidence that led to restructuring the previous standards. It clarifies the framework of the National PE Standards and the essential content of preK-12 physical education for key stakeholders (students, teachers, parents, curriculum directors, administrators, boards of education, and policy makers). The text concludes by providing physical educators with resources to assist in using the standards to guide instruction.

Administrators and teachers can confidently use National Physical Education Standards, Fourth Edition, to create high-quality physical education programs that prepare students for a lifetime of healthful and meaningful physical activity.

SHAPE America - Society of Health and Physical Educators is the largest organization of health and physical educators in the country, serving as the voice for more than 200,000 professionals across the United States. The organization’s community includes a diverse membership of health and physical educators as well as advocates, supporters, and over 50 state affiliate organizations. Since its founding in 1885, the organization has defined excellence in physical education. For decades, SHAPE America’s National Physical Education Standards have served as the foundation for well-designed physical education programs across the country. Additionally, the organization helped develop the National Health Education Standards and now owns this set of standards.

About the Contributors
Cory Dixon, PhD, is an assistant professor in the department of content area teacher education. His current research foci are centered on the educator preparation of physical education students at predominantly white institutions (PWIs) and the racialized experiences of students and faculty of color in higher education. He seeks to advocate for equitable educational opportunities for all by critically examining higher education, physical education pedagogy, and teacher preparation, in addition to better understanding the recruitment, retention, and experiences of faculty and students of color in higher education. Dixon’s research has been presented and published at various national and international conferences and in leading academic journals.

Dixon earned his PhD and MEd in kinesiology and physical education teacher education from Auburn University. He holds a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology, sports studies, and physical education from Morehouse College, a historically Black college in Atlanta, Georgia.

Fran Cleland, PED, is a professor emeritus of health and physical education within the College of Health Sciences at West Chester University (WCU) in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Cleland taught for 28 years at WCU, where she also served as assistant chair of the Health and Physical Education Teacher Certification Program. She earned her bachelor of science in health and physical education at Purdue University and her doctoral degree in motor development, child development, and adapted physical education at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana.

Prior to her years at WCU, Cleland taught at the University of New Hampshire and East Stroudsburg University in Pennsylvania, after beginning her career as a K-12 health and physical education teacher. She has served at the state, district, and national levels, including SHAPE PA president (2009) and SHAPE America president (2017-18). She is the lead author of Developmental Physical Education for All Children: Theory Into Practice. She has received numerous state, district, and national awards in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the profession, including the Elmer B. Cottrell Award from SHAPE PA, the Honor Award from SHAPE America, and the Tilia J. Fantasia Service Award from SHAPE America Eastern District. She was inducted into the North American Society of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Sport and Dance Professionals by SHAPE America. In 2023, she was honored with the SHAPE America Hall of Fame Award.

Suzanna Dillon, PhD, CAPE, is a professor of kinesiology at Texas Woman’s University (TWU). Dillon has over 20 years of experience in teaching, researching, and mentoring in the fields of physical education, adapted physical education, adapted physical activity, and special education. At both TWU and Wayne State University, she has been awarded U.S. Department of Education grants, through which she conducts interdisciplinary personnel preparation and collaborative physical activity interventions for children and young adults with disabilities. Dillon is passionate about preparing future educators and physical activity professionals so that they are prepared to deliver interdisciplinary services to people with disabilities and are skilled in advocating for equitable physical activity opportunities within their communities. Through her grants and service on various boards, committees, and professional associations, particularly the National Consortium for Physical Education for Individuals With Disabilities, she aims to leverage her years of experience and content expertise to advance the field of adapted physical activity and make an impact within her local community and beyond.