American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance - AAHPERD

Advocacy News, Action Alerts, and Resources

You don't have to be a lobbyist to make a difference in education and health policy - just passionate about the health and well-being of our nation's people. We will keep you informed on the issues you care about and let you know what you can do to be part of the advocacy process.

Advocacy News

ASCD Petition to Establish President's Council on the Whole Child

AAHPERD partner, ASCD, is petitioning the Obama administration to make whole child education (including physical education and health education) a national priority through the creation of a President's Council on the Whole Child. Such a council would focus national attention on children and would provide the President with expert counsel to better coordinate the education, health, and social service sectors serving our nation's youth.  A whole child approach to education enhances learning by addressing each student's social, emotional, physical, and academic needs through the shared contributions of schools, families, communities, and policymakers.  Click here to sign the petition today.  If the petition garners 25,000 signatures within 30 days, White House staff will review it, send it to the appropriate policy experts, and issue an official response.

PEP Funded for FY 2012

The Carol M. White Physical Education Program (PEP) has been funded at $78.8 million for FY 2012.  This is equal to the funding provided in FY 2011.  The House and the Senate came to an agreement on the omnibus appropriations bill for FY 2012 on December 15. Many other education programs were zeroed out for FY 2012 so it is very fortunate that PEP made the cut.  Although the continued funding of PEP is good news, the US Department of Education has indicated that it will not be soliciting new applications for FY 2012.  Instead they will be funding FY 2011 applicants who were not awarded funding last year but still met necessary requirements.  This could be a sign that the US Department of Education is preparing to wind down PEP in anticipation of no further funding after FY 2012.  Please continue to visit the US Department of Education PEP webpage for details.

Elementary and Secondary Education Act Update

On January 6 Rep. John Kline (R-MN), House Education and the Workforce Committee Chairman, released draft versions of two bills - addressing teacher evaluation and accountability.  There is no mention of physical education or physical activity in either bill.  These partisan drafts show that House Republicans continue to favor giving states and school districts increased flexibility and control when it comes to education.  The House Education and the Workforce Committee is expected to mark-up the bills by the end of February.

Of note about the House draft ESEA bills:

• Adequate yearly progress (AYP) is eliminated.  States would be required to craft their own accountability systems.
• The "highly qualified" teacher requirement is also eliminated.  School districts would be required to create teacher evaluation systems based significantly on student performance and to make personnel decisions using these systems.
• Grants broad funding flexibility to school districts but limits the amount of money that can be spent on class-size reduction.

Learn more about ESEA and the reauthorization bills that have been introduced by the Senate and the House to date.

Click here to send a message to your Senators and Representatives continuing to urge them to include PE and HE in ESEA reauthorization.

Urge HHS to Update the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans

Empowering Americans to increase their level of physical activity is one important solution to both our health care and budgetary challenges. The current federal Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans were issued by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in 2008. These guidelines established the United States as a world leader in pulling together the consensus science around physical activity and fitness. Regular revision of the Physical Activity Guidelines will help the U.S. maintain that preeminence.  Help AAHPERD support the National Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity by contacting Secretary Sebelius today.

Arts Funding

The Senate Appropriations Committee voted on September 21 to maintain funding for arts in education, providing $27.5 million to fund competitive awards for national nonprofit organizations engaged in arts education, professional development and model arts education programs (including dance), as well as a partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts.

Current AAHPERD Action Alerts

• Update the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans!
• Urge Congress Not to Stand in the Way of Healthier School Lunches
• House Education Flexibility Bill is Flawed!
• Support the FIT Kids Act
• Support Physical Education and Health Education in ESEA
• Support PEP Grant Funding
• Support the Safe Routes to School Bill
• Support the National Endowment for the Arts

AAHPERD Advocacy Resources

• AAHPERD Policy Asks for 2011
• NASPE Policy Asks 2011
• Let's Get PHYSICAL!
• PEP Talking Points
• PHYSICAL Act Talking Points
• FIT Kids Talking Points
• Physical Education is an Academic Subject
• Physical Activity and the Brain
• State by State PEP Funding 2001-2010
• PEP Supporters in U.S. Congress
• State Obesity & Physical Education at a Glance. View current obesity trends, government funding levels, and statistics on physical education in your state.
• 2010 Shape of the Nation Report
• 2006 CDC School Health Policies and Profiles Study
• Advocacy 101, Megan Wolfe, NASPE Government Relations Manager
• Sample letter in support of PE