Et Cetera Newsletter

May 27, 2026

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Adventure-based learning (ABL) emphasizes learner-focused immersion through hands-on experiences and promotes the development of personal and social skills. This model aligns seamlessly with the new SHAPE America National Physical Education Standards and makes it an ideal approach to enhance learning in the affective domain. This article from the May/June issue of Strategies offers practical assessment tools that help educators effectively evaluate affective skills within ABL contexts. READ MORE

SHAPE America Statement on Fitness Education and Assessment

SHAPE America

From early national fitness initiatives to our leadership with the President’s Challenge and the Presidential Youth Fitness Program, SHAPE America has helped guide the evolution of how schools approach fitness education and assessment. We recognize the renewed national focus on youth fitness, including the reinstatement of the Presidential Fitness Test and the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition, as an important opportunity. READ MORE

 

SHAPE America Renews Long-Standing Partnership With Special Olympics

 

SHAPE America

SHAPE America and Special Olympics North America have renewed their Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), continuing a shared commitment to equipping health and physical educators with the training, resources, and support that helps build inclusive school cultures. View this joint position paper on Unified PE, coauthored with the National Consortium for Physical Education for Individuals with Disabilities, and see what Unified PE looks like at one school. LEARN MORE

 

New SportsEdTV Partnership to Support PE Educators

 

SHAPE America

SHAPE America and SportsEdTV have announced a new partnership focused on expanding access to instructional content and educator support resources for school-based health and physical education professionals. Upcoming back-to-school initiatives may feature curated video collections, activity demonstrations, and sport-specific resources designed to enhance physical education instruction. LEARN MORE

 

Start Planning Now for a Stronger PE and Health Program Next Year

 

SHAPE America

As you begin planning for the next school year, it’s an important time to consider how your health and physical education program can best support student success. SHAPE America offers a variety of standards-based workshops that can strengthen your program and drive meaningful, measurable impact — including customizable training to address specific needs in your school or district. VIEW WORKSHOPS

Peer to Peer

Important Leadership Update at SHAPE America

SHAPE America recently announced that CEO Stephanie Morris will depart the organization on July 17 to transition to a new role as executive director of the National Association of Elementary School Principals. During her tenure, Stephanie made significant strides in strengthening support for the profession and positioning the organization for continued success. The SHAPE America Board of Directors is actively developing a plan to identify the next CEO and will share additional details as that process is finalized. Adam Pomerantz, senior vice president and CFO, will serve as interim CEO.

 

 

 

 

ICYMI (In Case You Missed It):

• Physical Best, Fifth Edition

• Standards Adoption Toolkit

• Lesson Planning for Skills-Based Elementary Health Education, Second Edition

 

News Around the Nation

 

The Impact of Physical Activity on Academic Performance in Children and Adolescents: A Meta-Analysis

 

Frontiers

In contemporary education, the reduction of time allocated to physical activity under the pressure of heavy academic demands has become an increasingly prominent concern. At the same time, the World Health Organization has emphasized that moderate-to-vigorous physical activity is beneficial to students’ cognitive and academic development. READ MORE

 

 

Why School Recess Remains More Essential in a Kids’ World of Digital Screens and Devices

 

Deseret News

A policy statement released from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) champions the “crucial role” of school recess. Allowing kids to step away each day from the academic structure and rigor of the classroom — and enjoy freeform play and socialization — is highly beneficial to a child’s physical, emotional and social health, the AAP asserts. READ MORE

 

 

Making Schoolwide Use of Student Surveys

 

Edutopia

Detailed feedback from students about what helps them learn can shape schools’ instructional initiatives and goals. What if you asked your students, “What makes learning meaningful?” And how could your school collectively use the results? READ MORE

 

 

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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the articles do not necessarily reflect those of SHAPE America, and SHAPE America assumes no legal responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of this information. Professionals should refer to the journals, newsletters and publications of SHAPE America for current science-based, accurate educational and professional information.

 

SHAPE America – Society of Health and Physical Educators

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