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Advocacy Updates

  • June 16, 2022- Nick Slotterback, HPE Content Advisor with PDE is meeting with the SHAPE PA and its members on a regular basis. This direct communication with PDE will be valuable to our members and our field.

  • Members were encouraged to post on social media highlights from their school year or events being held for National PE & Sports Week the first week of May. A bigger event will be planned for next year.

  • Five SHAPE PA members participated in the virtual SHAPE America Speak Out Day the week of March 14, 2022. Pennsylvania secured four virtual meetings with US legislators to deliver SHAPE America's asks.

  • A virtual meeting was held with PDE (Brian Gasper, Nick Slotterback) on March 9, 2022, to continue the discussion on substitutions/waivers from PE. PDE shared a form that can be used to make formal complaints against a school district's curriculum. It is unknown what a district's response against a teacher would be for submitting this form. Contact your union or the advocacy committee for more information.

  • A virtual meeting was held on October 15, 2021, with PDE (Dr. Smith, Brian Gasper, Brian Campbell, and Nick Slotterback) to discuss substitutions/waivers from PE. SHAPE PA advocacy members, as well as active teachers, presented information about quality PE. Another meeting will be scheduled to continue the discussion.

  • June 15, 2021: Go to Advocacy Resources on the Advocacy tab pull-down menu for new resources. The Advocacy Toolkit Button gives access to short slide presentations for specific advocacy issues, and the Advocacy Resources button leads to documents and one-pagers useful when advocating for Health Education and Physical Education.


  • Thanks to all members who have signed the petitions in the legislative action center that oppose bills that negatively impact Health Education and Physical Education. This support lends more power to SHAPE PA’s advocacy efforts.

  • August 26, 2020: Unfortunately, the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the Pennsylvania Board of Education did not approve any of our proposals made in mid-June to make the proposed standards and outcomes available to you even though they are not officially approved. The Pennsylvania State Board of Education is currently finishing up with the Science and Technology Academic Standards and Outcomes. The Board said they would work on the ones for Health and Physical Education next; hopefully this fall.  

  • June 18, 2020: The advocacy committee continues to work hard to assist members and develop resources for these challenging times. Here is a list of things completed or in the process:

 

  • Contributed resources to Nick Slotterback from Safe Schools for the PDE SAS Portal- Continuity of Education-Resources for Instruction.

  • Held a conference call with Carly Wright of SHAPE America regarding the COVID-19 guidance for reopening schools.

  • Provided advocacy materials, PowerPoint slides, and letters of support for teachers faced with cuts in programs and online health and physical education courses. Additional resources will soon be available on the website.

  • Completed and shared PSAHPERD’s (Soon to be SHAPE PA) HPE in PA Schools Under COVID-19 Guidance on June 2, 2020 
  • March 10 & 11, 2020: SHAPE America was able to hold its Speak Out Day.  Overall attendance was slightly lower than usual due to the coronavirus. PSAHPERD’s advocacy committee chair participated and met with staff from Senator Toomey, Senator Casey and Representative Thompson’s offices. The “asks” were 1). Increase Title IV Part A funds from $1.1 to $1.6 billion; 2). Increase Title II Part A funds from $2.1 to $2.6 billion & 3). Invite a Congressman to observe a physical education class. When school resumes, if a special event is happening in your PE class consider inviting your Congressman to attend.
  • In early December 2019, the final draft of the proposed Pennsylvania Academic Standards and Outcomes for Health and Physical Education was completed with input from appropriate professionals and agencies throughout the state.
  • On January 8, 2020, three members of the Advocacy Committee traveled to Harrisburg to speak with the Pennsylvania State Board of Education concerning the need and urgency to approve the proposed Academic Standards and Outcomes as soon as possible.
  • On January 17, 2020, the process to update the Advocacy section of the PSAHPERD website began with a target date of January 31st for some parts to go “live.” This section will be rewritten and reorganized to better provide information in a timely fashion and make it easier for members to navigate.
  • On January 21, 2020, a Speak Out for Healthy Kids Student Wellness Summit, organized by the Advocacy Committee, was held at the Capitol Building. Legislators and other public officials were invited to:
      1. share how they support student wellness in public schools.
      2. identify challenges in preparing students for active, healthy lifestyles.
      3. give input to overcome these challenges. 
  • On January 21, 2020, members of the Advocacy Committee met with members of a “lobbying” group to explore the possibility of them helping PSAHPERD to achieve the current advocacy initiatives.